Government of Colombia - ICETEX Student Loans for Postgraduate Studies Abroad

ICETEX loan for postgraduate study abroad

You can borrow up to about 21,500 EUR (25,000 USD) to fund postgraduate studies outside Colombia. This is a low-interest student loan, not a grant: you will have to repay it. It is provided by ICETEX, the Colombian state education and credit agency. For on-campus or blended-learning programmes, at least half of the amount must be used for tuition fees and up to half for living costs. For fully online programmes, the upper limit is lower, at around 6,900 EUR (USD 8,000). No repayments are due whilst you are studying. Repayment begins two years after the first disbursement and is made in monthly instalments over a period of up to five years; early repayment is possible at any time. The interest rate corresponds to the Colombian inflation index plus 8% (approximately 13.5% per year in 2025) and is adjusted every January.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Colombian citizen.
• Level: You have been admitted to a postgraduate programme abroad: a specialisation, a Master’s programme or a PhD programme leading to an official qualification.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines.
• Where you go: Any country outside Colombia.
• Programme length: The course lasts at least 5 months and starts this year.
• Credit check: You have passed the ICETEX (CIFIN/Datacredito) credit check and are not on any of their watchlists or risk lists.
• Guarantor: You must name a co-signatory (a Colombian citizen of legal age who is no older than 67 and who will act as guarantor for the loan should you be unable to repay it).
• Existing loans: If you already have an ICETEX loan, have repaid at least 50%, have no outstanding payments and do not have more than two active ICETEX loans.

How to apply

First, carry out the online credit check for yourself and your guarantor, and then complete the application form at solicitudes.icetex.gov.co. For the 2026–2 round, the form is available from 1. June until 28 August 2026, but may close early if funds run out. A credit committee reviews each application and publishes the results. Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be granted the loan.

How realistic are your chances?

Any Colombian who has secured a place on a postgraduate course abroad is eligible to apply, meaning the pool of applicants is very diverse. However, approval is conditional on passing a credit check and having a suitable guarantor, which rules out many applicants before the committee has even made a decision. Funds are limited and the application deadline may close early; you should therefore apply as soon as the application period opens. If your credit rating is excellent and your guarantor meets the requirements, your chances are good.