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Increase Confirmed by Camilo Santana Covers 85% of Private Courses in Brazil
The Ministry of Education confirmed on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, a 30% increase in the Fies ceiling for Medicine courses.
According to Minister Camilo Santana, the maximum amount per semester jumped from R$ 60,000 to R$ 78,000.
The change directly addresses the rising costs of these degrees at private institutions.
The program’s Management Committee approved the decision and announced it via a video on the X platform, formerly Twitter.
According to Camilo, with this update, 85% of Medicine courses in the country are now fully covered by the new ceiling.
Moreover, the minister emphasized that students linked to Fies Social continue to receive 100% coverage, regardless of the course fee.
This measure represents relief for those facing high tuition fees, especially in health fields, where costs often exceed the previous financing.
Understand How Student Financing Works
The Student Financing Fund (Fies) is a federal government initiative aimed at providing credit to undergraduate students in private institutions.
Although students do not receive the amount directly in their accounts, the benefit is automatically applied to reduce tuition costs.
Depending on the socio-economic profile of the student, financing can cover up to 100% of the total costs.
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Shortly after completing their degree, beneficiaries must begin repaying the debt, dividing it into installments adjusted according to their declared monthly income.
For Fies Social, aimed at low-income families, the conditions are even more accessible.
This facilitates the entry of groups historically excluded from higher education.
Fies 2025.5 Offers Over 74,000 Slots
The institution closed the applications for the second semester of 2025 on July 18.
In total, the MEC made available 74,500 slots in private colleges across Brazil.
Fies Social reserved 50% of these slots, following the guidelines for democratizing access to higher education.
The measure also aims to include young people in vulnerable situations.
The distribution of slots respects criteria of academic performance and family income.
The Ministry emphasized that, in addition to the adjusted ceiling for Medicine, the focus remains on ensuring greater coverage for courses with high employability rates.
Among the priority courses are nursing, pedagogy, engineering, and information technology.
See Who Can Register for Fies
Although the registration period for this edition has already closed, it is important to remember that the criteria remain the same in the upcoming windows.
To participate in the program, the student must have taken the Enem since the 2010 edition.
A minimum arithmetic average of 450 points in the four objective tests is also required.
Moreover, it is necessary not to have scored zero in the essay.
Another important criterion is to have a gross monthly family income per capita of up to three minimum wages, which currently amounts to R$ 4,554.
With these requirements, Fies seeks to ensure that financing is directed to those who really need it.
The initiative also aims to maintain a minimum level of academic performance.
Coverage Expansion Boosts Access to Medicine
With the new ceiling of R$ 78,000 per semester, the program adapts to the financial reality of Medicine courses at private institutions.
These courses have been experiencing a significant increase in costs over the past few years.
The decision strengthens access for students who do not have their own resources but have profiles and performance compatible with the course.
According to Camilo Santana, the expansion will directly impact the training of doctors in the country.
The measure aligns with the government’s goals to increase the supply of health professionals in the most deprived regions.
By ensuring greater reach of the financing, Fies fulfills its social function.
Moreover, it encourages students to remain in strategic courses for Brazil’s development.
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