Costa Rican universities to maintain current FEES funding distribution for 2027

Costa Rican public universities have decided to maintain the current distribution of the Special Fund for Higher Education (FEES) for 2027. During a session of the National Council of Rectors (Conare Ampliado) on September 25, it was determined that the existing allocation percentages will remain unchanged from the 2026 model.

The decision to avoid a more equitable redistribution at this time was driven by the need to present budgets to the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR). William Rojas, rector of the Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN), noted that modifying percentages so close to the budget submission deadline would have required institutions to redo their budgetary items, potentially disrupting operations.

Under the current distribution, the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) receives 49.88% and the Universidad Nacional (UNA) receives 20.83%, meaning these two institutions account for 70.71% of the fund. Other allocations include the Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) at 11.22%, the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) at 9.47%, and the UTN at 6.81%. The remaining 1.59% is allocated to Conare.