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 2012, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education (both sexes) was 11%, while the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 54%.
Tuition-free status
In 2018, a new tuition policy stated that all public universities will be tuition-free for undergraduate students. However, students are not exempt from registration fees. Before the introduction of this policy, student fees constituted the primary source of income for higher education institutions.
Governance
Public universities are overseen and funded by the Ministry of Education, with the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) serving as the regulatory body of the higher education system.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Government subsidies are allocated directly from the central government to higher education institutions.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Accredited private higher education institutions are eligible to apply for public funding. Only licensed institutions that are operating for at least 3 years are eligible to receive government funding, while additional criteria include being able to cover 75% of total costs and having enrolled at least 500 students. All subsidized institutions are required to submit a formal annual report to the NCHE detailing how exactly the funds were used. Private institutions may also receive additional financial support through concessional oil and mining contracts.
Allocation and equity
There is no publicly known formula to allocate funds to public institutions. The amount of resources transferred to institutions appears to be based on funding in previous years and the lobbying power of each institution. Additional financing is derived from oil and mining concessional contracts which include prescribed allocations to support higher education.
The Ministry of Finance allocates subsidies to higher education institutions to support recurrent expenditure, primarily salaries.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Admission policies are based solely on performance in grade 12 examinations, with no national admissions policy or quota for the enrolment of vulnerable groups.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
There are no local scholarships or other financial support schemes in Liberia that specifically target marginalised groups at the higher education level. Liberia used to have a public programme providing financial aid to students, but it was terminated in 2012. The programme awarded scholarships based on achievement, not disadvantaged status.
However, the government plans to introduce merit/needs-based scholarships for underrepresented groups to access private higher education institutions in its latest 2022-26 Education Sector Plan. One of the objectives of the plan is for NCHE, in cooperation with the National Commission on Disability, to provide scholarships covering living costs to promote access to higher education for underrepresented groups, with a focus on female students from rural areas and students with disabilities.
In 2025, the government submitted a bill seeking to establish the country’s first national student loan programme. The proposed legislation, titled ‘An Act Establishing Student Loans for Higher Education’, seeks to create a fair and sustainable financing system that will make higher education more accessible and affordable for all Liberian students.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No information was found.
Accommodation
The government plans to introduce a student loan programme and scholarships to cover costs in student accommodation.
Textbooks
No information was found.
