After a successful 2025 programme, Paraguayan authorities are once again seeking to support young students across the country. With more than 6,000 students benefiting in 2025, the Paraguayan government has announced 5,000 scholarship places for 2026. Of these, 4,500 are allocated to undergraduate degrees and teacher training programmes, while the remaining 500 are designated for associate degrees. Students have until 5 January 2026 to apply for the scholarship programme.
President Santiago Peña stated: “A great Paraguay is built on talent and opportunity, with young people who dream big and have the tools to achieve it. That is why we are breaking down economic barriers and opening a new call for applications for the Paraguayan Government Scholarships.”
Requirements to apply for scholarships
First of all, it is important to note that it does not matter whether the applicant attended a public or private high school. What matters is the completion date of secondary education. For undergraduate degrees and teacher training scholarships, high school must have been completed from 2022 onwards. For associate degrees, applicants must have finished high school from 2019 onwards.
Among the general requirements, family income will be taken into account. Applicants must belong to a household whose total income does not exceed seven minimum wages.
In academic terms, an average grade of 4 or higher in high school is required to apply for undergraduate degrees. For associate degrees, the minimum required average is 3. For members of indigenous communities and people with disabilities, completing high school is sufficient. These applicants may access scholarships even if the general quota has already been filled, provided they complete all stages of the selection process.
Scholarship programme election process
Applications are submitted online through the government’s official website. Applicants must upload all required documentation and regularly check their email, as notifications regarding eligibility for the entrance test are sent electronically. Students have until 5 January 2026 to apply for the scholarships.
The selection process consists of three mandatory stages: online application and document verification, a basic skills test in Spanish Language and Mathematics, and a socioeconomic evaluation carried out through in-person verification at the declared family address.
The weighting criteria include academic performance, test results, institution of origin, socioeconomic status and whether the chosen career belongs to prioritised areas of knowledge. The official website also provides information on exam locations, available universities and eligible degree programmes.
The only department not directly covered by test centres is Alto Paraguay. Authorities have stated that applicants from this department will be transported to the nearest available location to sit the exam.
Each scholarship is administered and funded by public institutions, including the Ministry of Education and Sciences and the National Youth Secretariat. The Yacyretá Binational Entity provides scholarships for departments such as Caazapá, Misiones, Itapúa and Ñeembucú, while Itaipú Binational Entity offers full scholarship coverage in the areas under its influence.
Education as a public commitment
Beyond the numbers, the 2026 scholarship programme reflects a broader commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity in education. By prioritising students from lower-income households, indigenous communities and people with disabilities, the Paraguayan state reinforces the idea that access to higher education should not depend on economic background. Through these public policies, education becomes not only a personal achievement, but also a collective investment in the country’s future.
