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 2019, for tertiary education, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 25,32%. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 41,50% in 2015, and the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 9,96% in 2019.
Tuition-free status
Article 171 of the Constitution states that officially provided education is free, and basic education is compulsory and fully funded by the State. The State must establish the necessary mechanisms to enforce this provision.
Governance
Article 160 of the Constitution stipulates that the organization, management, and development of higher and professional education is the exclusive responsibility of the National Autonomous University of Honduras(UNAH) through the Council of Higher Education.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
No funding mechanisms for transferring resources from the central government to local governments for public higher education have been identified. Higher education is financed centrally, from the national budget to the universities directly.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
No funding for private universities when no public university is available has been identified.
Allocation and equity
The funding sources for Honduran HEIs vary by their administrative type. State universities receive 8% of the budget from the State, while UNAH gets 6% of the Republic's net income budget, excluding loans and donations. Public universities also obtain funding from property rental income, the excise tax plan, cooperation agreements, and postgraduate programmes.
No equity formula has been identified.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no specific admission criteria for vulnerable groups. However, the inclusion area recognises special needs students and Indigenous individuals as vulnerable groups and provides several services for the admission process, including tutorials on aptitude test dimensions; accessible tours for disabled individuals; document management for applicants with disabilities; test adaptations based on conditions; ground floor testing; sign language interpreters; and scribe support.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Executive Decree No. PCM 09-2023 establishes the “Solidarity Scholarships” programme under the Secretariat of State for Social Development (SEDESOL). It aims to enhance educational access for vulnerable Honduran youth to break the cycle of poverty and social inequality. The programme offers national and international scholarships and other academic benefits to reduce inequality and promote academic and professional excellence, fostering a united and violence-free Honduras. It targets individuals with disabilities, children of individuals with disabilities, returning migrants, the LGBTIQA+ community, low-income youth, teenage mothers, children of single mothers, Indigenous and Afro-Honduran people, and human rights defenders.
The UNAH has regulations governing its system of scholarships, awards, incentives, financial aid, and student loans. The UNAH offers long-term student loans to cover expenses. This system includes the Alma Mater Equity Scholarship and the Social Equity Scholarship, providing access to higher education for students from disadvantaged areas with limited financial resources and academic excellence. The first covers transportation and food expenses, while the latter covers housing and study costs.
The UNAH also provides long-term student loans as a supplement to cover expenses. However, no equity criteria have been identified.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
The UNAH-PUMAS free university transport service is a pilot project initiated by the Rector's Office of the UNAH as part of the “Mi Bienestar UNAH” programme to improve conditions for the students.
Accommodation
Support for student accommodation is given through the Alma Mater Equity Scholarship.
Textbooks
Through the “Mi Bienestar UNAH” programme, financial assistance to 1,000 students in the form of a single payment of L1,500 is provided so that they can purchase supplies and books at the UNAH Bookstore and Shop.
