Banco de Mexico - Banco de México – FIDERH

What FIDERH offers

FIDERH grants you a low-interest education loan to fund postgraduate studies in Mexico or abroad. This is a loan, not a grant, which means you will have to repay it. It covers tuition fees, living costs and health insurance, and the money is transferred directly into your bank account (in US dollars if you are studying abroad). The exact loan amount is set for each application round and depends on your course of study. Depending on your degree, the funding period ranges from 9 months to 60 months. The lender is FIDERH, a state-run trust fund managed by the Mexican central bank, the Banco de México.

You will repay the loan in 40 quarterly instalments over a period of 10 years, at an interest rate that is significantly below the usual level. Repayment will only begin after a 12-month grace period, once you have completed your studies. There are no penalty charges for early repayment. Interest may be reduced or even waived if you make your payments on time or subsequently take up a full-time post as a teacher or researcher at a public institution in Mexico.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You would like to undertake postgraduate study: a specialisation (especialidad), a Master’s degree (maestría) or a PhD (doctorado).
• Where you study: In Mexico or abroad. Purely online degree programmes are not usually funded.
• Nationality: You are a Mexican citizen, whether by birth or by naturalisation.
• Age: You are 50 or younger.
• Previous studies: You already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a grade point average of at least 8.0.
• Admission: You have received an unconditional letter of offer from the university where you will be studying.
• Language proof: You hold a language certificate that is no more than two years old. You will need to take an English language test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge English), even if your degree programme is taught in Spanish.
• Field of study: Virtually all academic disciplines, including health sciences, engineering and technology, natural and exact sciences, social sciences, economics, law, education and the humanities.
• Guarantor: You will need a guarantor (someone who guarantees that you will repay the loan): a Mexican national living in Mexico, aged between 24 and 65, who can provide proof of income and owns debt-free property.

How to apply

Create an account on the FIDERH website, complete the grant application form, print it out and submit your complete application documents in person or by courier during an open call for applications. Calls for applications take place approximately four times a year. The third 2026 call closed on 17 July, and the results were announced on 21 August. Each application is assessed against the criteria and is subject to the availability of funding.

How realistic are your chances?

As this is a loan that must be repaid, it appeals to a smaller target group than a free scholarship. The strict selection criteria narrow down the pool of applicants even further: Mexican nationality, a grade point average of 8.0, a binding confirmation of admission, a language certificate and a suitable guarantor. If you meet all these requirements and can provide a suitable guarantor, your chances are good, although approval also depends on the funds available in this round. Make sure you prepare well in advance, as obtaining documents such as the title deed takes some time.