The Colombian Institute for Educational Credit and Technical Studies Abroad (Icetex) confirmed this Thursday, August 22, the opening of the national call for applications for the Álvaro Ulcué Chocué Fund for Indigenous Communities, which will grant 100% forgivable loans to members of these communities to study in Colombia or abroad.
The fund allocates forgivable loans for undergraduate studies (technical, technological and university) or postgraduate studies (specialization, master’s and doctorate) for the following areas:
– Covers 4 minimum wages per semester for tuition or living expenses.
– Allocate up to 2 additional transfers for degree work expenses, internships and/or academic practices at the undergraduate level. If necessary, grants up to 2 additional spins for academic delay.
“In this way, the fund is sensitive to our people and is aligned with the reality of our communities by offering targeted opportunities,” said Patricia Abadía Murillo, acting director of Icetex.
The fund is financed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior and is administered by Icetex. The registration period will be available between August 22 and September 19 through the entity’s website (https://web.icetex.gov.co/es/-/comunidades-indigenas). The entire process is carried out free of charge, directly and without the participation of intermediaries.
Requirements to participate
Applicants for the Álvaro Ulcué Chocué Fund must be members of indigenous communities in the country, certified by their self-governing structures or registered in the Census of the Colombian Indigenous Information System (Siic) of the Ministry of the Interior.
In addition, applicants must read the terms of the call, meet the requirements within the established timeframes and complete the forms. They must also submit a proposal for community service aligned with their community’s life plans and their study program.
For the first time, Icetex will grant partial capital forgiveness to beneficiaries with excellent payment behavior
Icetex educational credit beneficiaries Those who have had excellent payment behavior in the last twelve months and wish to settle their debt early will have an unprecedented opportunity: access partial forgiveness of the capital of your debt due to your outstanding commitment to staying current with this credit.
“The Opportunities Plan extends its benefits and also reaches those who are an example of their commitment by accessing an educational loan. With your payment up to date and your commitment to pay your installment in full today, you will have the opportunity to settle your debt in one installment and receive a partial principal forgiveness of up to 24.30%“, said the acting president of Icetex, Patricia Abadía Murillo.
This measure will remain in effect during Gustavo Petro’s term as president (2022-2026) and is expected to benefit 35,000 targeted individuals who are up to date and have paid each of their last twelve monthly installments within the deadline.
