Guatemalans can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate or technical career programs, supported by a scholarship. In April, the calls for applications will open, according to María José Spain, head of communication of Segeplan.
On March 27, the Executive through the Ministry of Planning and Programming of the Presidency (Segeplan) will launch the program, since it is assigned Q250 million for the creation of the National Scholarship Fund. According to Ligia Chinchilla, coordinator of the human capital table of Guatemala does not stoppreviously the background had only Q20 million. However, the budget was exhausted, so it was renewed with an additional allocation of Q230 million. “This fund seeks to cover specific gaps and support other government strategies, such as investment attraction or local development,” he said.
He Article 115 of the Law of the General Budget of Income and Expenditures of State 2025 It establishes the creation of the National Scholarship Fund (FONABEC) and assigns a total of Q250 million to give support to students from technicians, postgraduate and pregnant. In addition, the amount must be handled by the National Mortgage Credit of Guatemala (CHN), with whom an agreement for the transfer of resources must be signed. Likewise, at the latest on March 31, the Regulations of this Fund must be published. The law also grants Segeplan Q5 million for its management, administration and supervision.
Chinchilla said the scholarships will be available to 5,370 young people interested in studying a degree, between 100 and 150 students that they wish to pursue a postgraduate and 700 people that seek to specialize in a technical career. He added that, depending on the performance of the fund, another allocation could be requested for next year.
Process to postulate
Spain indicated that the requirements will depend on the scholarship to which you want to apply and that there is no age limit to run. However, the Communication Director stressed that young people will be given priority.
Among the general requirements are:
- Be Guatemalan of origin and reside in the country.
- Present the academic average of your Study Center (The minimum is yet to be defined).
- Admission letter from the university you want to enter
- Provide family socioeconomic information.
- Fill the postulation form available through a development portal called Scholarships for our future
Spain stressed that, to opt for a scholarship – especially undergraduately or postgraduately – it is essential to have the University Admission Letter in which the applicant wishes to enter, since this document is necessary for the allocation of the corresponding amount.
Chinchilla explained that the plan contemplates the realization of three calls to fill the quotas, due to the duration of the races. As indicated, university students must complete their studies in a period of three to five yearswhile technical careers could end in less than a year.
In addition, he mentioned that the scholarships will be partial or completeaccording to the conditions of the applicants. “It is possible to obtain 100 % of the expenses, which include academic costs, as well as support, monitoring and accompaniment for the beneficiaries to graduate within three to five years,” he said.
Areas with more demand
The most demand areas, according to Chinchilla, are programming, computer science, digitalization, agribusiness, renewable energy, infrastructure and constructionin addition to Pharmaceutical and health. These will be the main focus areas to invest with this fund, explained Chinchilla.
However, he clarified that this does not mean that other areas of study are excluded. “What is true is that all diagnoses indicate that these are the areas in which Guatemala must work,” he said.
Spain mentioned that students can choose the university they wish to attend, either in Guatemala or abroad.
Also, those looking for a Technical certification They can obtain it in Intecap, since, so far, it is the only institution with which communication has been established, according to Spain.
In addition, Chinchilla indicated that all scholarships include English and Soft Skill Trainingessential for beneficiaries to access better job opportunities.
National and international opportunities
This year, Chinchilla stressed that the program will emphasize both national and international university careerssince in previous years we worked mainly with international cooperation scholarships.
Chinchilla indicated that this initiative could benefit young people with Little access to universityallowing them to access excellence programs without traveling.
In addition, he explained that working on the programs accreditationwith the objective that they meet standards that allow national universities to compete on equal terms with internationals. “This will guarantee the quality of education,” he said.