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 2024, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education (both sexes) was 25%. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 17.5% in 2023.
Tuition-free status
National laws and policies do not guarantee tuition-free higher education. Government-aided institutions may charge tuition and special fees that have been approved by the Minister of Education, as stipulated in the 2010 Education and Training Act.
Governance
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology is responsible for the supervision of service delivery for all education levels, from preschool to tertiary education. All public resources to fund education are channeled through this ministry.
There are 3 universities in Belize, with the University of Belize serving as the national, public institution. The country also has a University of the West Indies Global Campus in Belize and one private university.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Higher education institutions are funded directly from the central government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology).
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Most (77%) tertiary education institutions (including colleges) in Belize are government-aided institutions. In terms of universities, the University of Belize and the University of the West Indies Global Campus in Belize are both funded by the government.
Allocation and equity
The University of Belize (the country’s only national public university) is funded through an annual block grantallocated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology. The government also provides the university with separate grants to support student financial assistance (scholarships).
The government also provides financial support to the public regional University of the West Indies, which operates based on a cost-sharing model between regional governments (80%) and students (20%).
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There is no national quota or affirmative action policy for the admission of vulnerable groups to universities.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The 2010 Education and Training Act regulates the provision of scholarships and bursaries for recognised secondary, vocational, technical and post-secondary institutions (including colleges and universities) taking into consideration the ‘developmental needs of Belize and the preference of the individual’.
The government offers various financial aid programmes to support students' university costs, many of which are exclusively merit-based. However, needs-based scholarships are offered to University of Belize students funded by the Ministry of Education based on priority areas of national development. Applicants for these scholarships must demonstrate financial need.
The University of Belize offers two types of financial assistance to students: the Black Jaguar financial aid programme and the work scholarship programme. Students must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for either type of financial assistance.
The government also provides professional and technical scholarships for bachelor's degree study at any University of the West Indies campus in the Caribbean or any Commonwealth country.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
The work scholarship programme of the University of Belize may cover transportation costs for students through a stipend if the students are able to cover their tuition fees.
Accommodation
Government scholarships offered to students may include the cost of accommodation.
The work scholarship programme of the University of Belize may also cover accommodation costs for students through a stipend if the students are able to cover their tuition fees.
Textbooks
Government scholarships offered to students may include the cost of textbooks.
