Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In Morocco, between 2000 and 2024, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education rose steadily from 10.15% to 48.18%. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 75.44% in 2009, which is the most recent year for which data are available, while the initial household funding amounted to 13.88% in the same year.
Tuition-free status
Higher education in Morocco is tuition-free at public institutions, in line with the national legal framework that defines it as a public service accessible to all. Law No. 01-00 on the organization of higher education stipulates that higher education is open to all eligible citizens based on equal opportunity, establishing the foundation for free access to public universities for those who complete secondary education. The subsequent Framework Law No. 51-17 reaffirmed the State’s obligation to ensure free public education across all levels and disciplines. As of 2025, the Minister of Higher Education has reconfirmed that higher education in Morocco will remain free of charge. Exceptions apply under Bill No. 59.24, which requires salaried students pursuing LMD degrees to enrol in fee-based flexible programs as their sole legal pathway into public universities. In addition, institutions established under specific public–private partnership arrangements or supported by large endowments generally charge tuition fees.
Governance
The Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation (MESRSI) is the primary government body responsible for financing, supervising, and determining the overall policy direction for higher education, as laid out in Law No. 01-00 on the organization of higher education. This ministry sets national policy priorities, allocates budgets, and oversees universities to ensure alignment with national education objectives. At the institutional level, universities are governed by internal councils and boards that manage academic, administrative, and financial affairs in accordance with the national regulations established.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
There are no decentralised funding mechanisms for transferring public resources from the central government to local governments for higher education. Higher education financing and oversight remain fully centralised under the MESRSI, which is responsible for policy formulation, planning, and the direct allocation of funds to public tertiary institutions in accordance Law No. 01-00 on the organization of higher education.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
There is no provision in national law or policy specifying that private universities receive government funding when no public university is available. Law No. 01-00 on the organization of higher education indicates that state funding constitutes one of the main sources of income for public higher education institutions, while private institutions are still subject to registration, accreditation, and quality assurance requirements.
Allocation and equity
Under the national legal framework, the budgets of public universities include state subsidies as a core source of revenue. The MESRSI allocates these funds directly to universities as block grants, which cover both operating and investment expenditures, while each university’s council determines the internal distribution across faculties and institutions.
According to Law No. 01-00 on the organization of higher education, universities may enter into multi-year performance contracts with the State. Furthermore, the Framework Law No. 51-17 on the Education, Training and Scientific Research System establishes that budget allocations should be guided by contractual principles considering governance quality, educational cost efficiency, and performance indicators. It also emphasises that these contracts must uphold the principle of spatial equity, giving priority to universities located in regions with limited higher education infrastructure.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no specific admission quotas or affirmative action policies for vulnerable groups in Morocco’s higher education system. Admission is generally based on the Baccalauréat qualification and competitive exams. However, Law No. 01-00 and Framework Law No. 51-17 stipulate that higher education institutions must operate under the principles of equity and equal opportunity, ensuring access to education for all citizens who meet the required conditions.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The national scholarship programme is available for students enrolled in public universities and is administered by the National Office for University, Social and Cultural Works (ONOUSC), a public agency under the MESRSI. The programme is financed through a dedicated allocation in the Finance Law for social works funds, which includes the budget of ONOUSC, providing scholarship programme as well as related student housing subsidies and catering services. The programme aims to promote equitable access to higher education by providing financial support to students from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds, identified through socio-economic criteria verified via the national social registry (RSU). Scholarships are granted at two levels: a full scholarship is awarded to students whose parents’ residence is located more than 20 kilometres from their institution, while a half scholarship is provided to those residing within 20 kilometres.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
There is no dedicated national transportation subsidy programme for university students in Morocco. However, local authorities (communes) in some cities such as Rabat, provide discounted public transport fares for students through agreements with municipal transport companies.
Accommodation
Student accommodation is provided by the ONOUSC. They operate a network of public university residences (Cités Universitaires) offering low-cost or subsidised housing to students enrolled in public universities. Priority for housing is given to students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and orphans, as stipulated in ONOUSC’s housing regulations.
Textbooks
No evidence was found of any government subsidies or support for textbooks in higher education.
This profile was reviewed by Abdennasser Naji, Researcher and Expert in Education.
