Scholarships for postgraduate studies in Colombia: what exists today and what is refundable

Look for scholarships for postgraduate studies in Colombia There's a catch that almost no one tells you about at the beginning: in master's and doctoral programs, the word "scholarship" almost never means free money. It means a loan that is partially forgiven if you meet certain conditions, and those conditions include graduating, returning to the country, and staying for several years. Anyone who doesn't understand this difference signs up for a loan in dollars believing they've signed up for a prize.

Here is the actual route, with each amount and each date taken today from the official website of the entity that publishes them.

What postgraduate scholarships are available in Colombia today, and who awards them?

There is no single point of contact. Currently, four separate channels operate, each with its own administrator, schedule, and payment method: the ICETEX loan for postgraduate studies in Colombia or abroad, the COLFUTURO scholarship-loan for master's and doctoral programs outside of Colombia, the Minciencias calls for proposals for advanced training programs, and scholarships offered by foreign governments, such as the Fulbright Commission. None of these are applied for through the same website, and none open at the same time.

Comparison compiled using data published by ICETEX, COLFUTURO, and Minciencias on their own websites, consulted in August 2026. Amounts vary by call for applications: confirm the current amount before signing.

How much does ICETEX finance for a master's or doctoral degree?

It depends on where you're going to study, and they are two different products. For postgraduate studies in Colombia, ICETEX states that it finances 100% of tuition up to 25 minimum wages per semester or 50 per year, with a scheme in which you pay 40% of the financed amount while you study and the remaining 60% afterward, over a period equivalent to twice the length of the program.

For postgraduate studies abroad, the longer-term loans are USD 25,000 for tuition and USD 12,500 for living expenses, and the structure changes completely: you don't pay anything during your studies, and the 100% loan is paid upon completion, over up to five years. The institution also requires something that surprises many people: if you've already had a loan with ICETEX, you must have paid off a minimum percentage of that debt and be up-to-date on your payments to be eligible for another one.

None of this is a scholarship: it's student loans. The step-by-step process is in our guide. How to apply for ICETEX and in the ICETEX requirements.

What is the COLFUTURO scholarship loan and how much is actually forgiven?

COLFUTURO finances master's and doctoral degrees at universities abroad with loans of up to USD 50,000. What people are looking for is loan forgiveness, and here's the most frequently misreported fact: the organization reports today that the 25% can be converted into a scholarship, And only if you graduate with a master's degree, a doctorate, or a medical specialty, and you also return to the country and stay for three years, that is, 36 months.

If you saw much higher forgiveness percentages in a guide or video, you're almost certainly looking at an older version of the program. The relevant number is the one published by COLFUTURO on the day you apply, and the interest rate isn't fixed either: the institution clarifies that it will be the rate in effect when you finalize the scholarship loan.

The entry requirements are surprisingly short: be Colombian, have an undergraduate degree, apply to the program you want to study, and write an essay. The second language requirement comes later, after you've been selected.

What does the State offer for doctoral studies, between Minciencias and Fulbright?

Minciencias funds advanced training with public resources. Its Scholarships for Change program has opened three tracks: national master's degrees, national doctorates, and doctorates abroad, for Colombian professionals who are currently studying, have been admitted, or are in the admissions process. Each call for applications has its own number and terms of reference, and that's where you can see if it's still open.

The Fulbright Commission manages scholarships for studying in the United States. Its flagship master's program selected up to two candidates per cohort and required a professional degree, one year of experience, a GPA of 4.0 out of 5.0, and a TOEFL iBT score of 85. That call for applications closed in May 2026 for the cohort beginning in the second semester of 2027, and subsequent calls are published in the Commission's academic portfolio.

What happens to the debt if you don't graduate or don't return to the country?

It's the question that almost no scholarship list answers, and the one that costs the most money. With a forgivable loan, forgiveness isn't automatic: it's a reward for fulfilling the requirements. If you don't graduate, if you don't return, or if you don't complete the required period of study, the forgivable percentage doesn't apply, and you'll still owe the full amount, plus accrued interest.

That's why it's wise to read the terms of reference before the list of universities. A postgraduate degree with $50,000 in funding and a forgivable 25% loan is still, in the worst-case scenario, a dollar-denominated debt for a family earning in pesos. This isn't a reason not to try; it's a reason to do the math before signing.

When do the application periods open and what should be prepared beforehand?

The application windows are short and don't coincide. COLFUTURO publishes its scholarship-loan application period, opening on January 4th, closing on March 4th, and announcing results on May 18th. ICETEX opens its application period by semester, with different dates for undergraduate and graduate programs, and warns that the application form may close earlier than stipulated if funds are exhausted.

What you can get done in advance without waiting for anyone: the program application, the language exam, the letters of recommendation, and the essay. These are common to almost all programs and can't be put together in two weeks.

A postgraduate degree changes income; the ceiling is what sustains that change.

At the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation, we work for the right to decent housing And we often see the same scene: a family betting everything on someone getting further education, while living in a leaky house. Education is one of the few real ways to improve a household's income, which is why we published this guide. But a master's degree won't fix a dirt floor, and poorly managed debt can worsen both problems.

If you're looking for support for undergraduate studies and not for postgraduate studies, the door is different: scholarships in Colombia, what happened with Generation E and the Registrations for Renta Joven.

Common mistakes when looking for postgraduate scholarships in Colombia

• Believing that forgivable means free. It is a loan that is reduced only if you meet all the conditions, and the entity verifies them one by one.
• Copy the forgiveness percentage from an old guide. That number changes depending on the call for applications and the availability of resources: the correct one is the one that is on the entity's website today.
• Paying someone to apply for you. Neither ICETEX, COLFUTURO, Minciencias, nor Fulbright charge intermediary fees. If they ask you for money to process your application, it's a scam. scam.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for postgraduate studies in Colombia

Are there full scholarships for master's degrees in Colombia?

There is support from the Ministry of Science and Technology (Minciencias) and cooperation scholarships from foreign governments, but there are few places available and they are highly competitive. The most common route to postgraduate studies in the country remains the ICETEX loan, which is fully repaid.

Can I apply for an ICETEX loan if I already have an undergraduate loan?

ICETEX requires that you have paid a minimum percentage of your previous debt, be up-to-date on your payments, and not exceed the maximum number of outstanding obligations allowed. Check your status before applying, as this filter is applied at the beginning.

Does COLFUTURO require admission before applying?

Yes. Among the published requirements is submitting your application to the program you want to study, along with your undergraduate degree and essay. The second language test is required after the selection process.

Does the Sisbén system help in accessing a postgraduate scholarship?

It's not the main filter for postgraduate studies. These calls for applications are decided based on academic merit, area of study, and the prioritization criteria of each institution, not by Sisbén group.

How Hepacom accompanies you

We don't offer scholarships, we don't process applications, and we don't charge for guidance. What we do is sit down with the family to review the terms of reference and calculate the total cost, so that studying doesn't end up being a debt no one understands.

If you would like us to accompany you, write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org or leave us your details at contact us.

Official sources consulted: ICETEX, postgraduate studies in Colombia or abroad, ICETEX, postgraduate program in the country, COLFUTURO, scholarship loan program, COLFUTURO, call for applications, Minciencias, Scholarships for Change y Fulbright Commission Colombia.

Information guide. The procedure is handled by the official entity. Verify through the official channel. Hepacom does not charge or process payments.

Last updated: August 2026.