With the guidelines of the Higher Education Financing (FES) project — which aims to put an end to the CAE student loan system — currently under debate, and a new admissions process fast approaching, future higher education students find themselves in a moment filled with uncertainty and major decisions to make.
In this context, Fundación Luksic has released the latest results from its “Aspirations for the Future” study, which surveyed more than 48,000 senior-year students from technical and vocational high schools across Chile during the first semester of this year. “The purpose of this study is to shed light on students’ concerns so we can better support them in making decisions about entering higher education,” said Fernanda Orellana, Director of Education at Fundación Luksic.
The desire to pursue further education is clear: 91% of respondents say they intend to enroll in higher education within the next two years, driven primarily by their interest in a specific field of study, the cost of tuition, and projected earnings after graduation. However, they also express significant concerns — particularly about meeting entry requirements, covering study-related expenses, and financing tuition and enrollment fees.
Much of this worry stems from widespread misinformation surrounding the admissions and financing process. According to the study, 63% of students report knowing very little about available funding opportunities, and 65% don’t know how to apply for them. Alarmingly, only 4% say they are aware of the requirements needed to qualify for tuition-free education.
“Having this kind of insight helps us understand the concerns students have and where we need to focus the efforts of our programs. When making decisions like these, it is important that they have all the necessary information at hand, while always trusting in their skills and knowledge to improve their life paths,” emphasizes the Director of the Education area at Fundación Luksic.
