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The dream of entering higher education seems closer for thousands of Brazilians, but the real surprise lies in the access criteria recently released. The Ministry of Education (MEC) revealed a significant number of vacancies for the Student Financing Fund (Fies) in 2025.
According to the MEC, 112.168 vacancies will be offered throughout 2025.
The government plans to divide these opportunities into two semesters: 67.301 vacancies will be available at the beginning of the year, while 44.867 will be offered in the second semester.
This division is part of a strategic plan that also foresees maintaining similar numbers for the years 2026 and 2027, as established in the Fies Three-Year Plan.
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Record investment for the program
O Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, highlighted the essential role of the program and emphasized the federal government's commitment to access to education.
“We will ensure that thousands of young Brazilians have the opportunity to finance their studies at private higher education institutions. We are investing more than R$774 million in Fies, reinforcing our commitment to quality and affordable education,” said Santana.
This allocation of resources seeks not only to expand access to higher education, but also to offer predictability for both candidates and the institutions involved.
The measure is part of the Lula government's effort to democratize education and reduce inequalities in Brazil.
How does Fies work?
The Student Financing Fund is a program that provides loans to students at private higher education institutions.
Unlike programs like Prouni, which offers full or partial scholarships, Fies acts as financing.
The student must pay off the debt after completing the course, in installments that vary according to their income.
To participate, you must meet some basic criteria, such as:
- Have participated in any edition of the National High School Exam (Enem) from 2010 onwards;
- Obtain an average of at least 450 points in the tests and a grade higher than zero in the essay;
- Present a gross monthly family income per capita between 1 and 3 minimum wages.
These requirements ensure that the program primarily serves low-income youth, although they may exclude applicants who do not meet minimum scores or who exceed the established income threshold.
Simplified and fully online registration
The Fies registration process is carried out digitally, through the program's official portal.
Registration takes place twice a year, always before the start of classes each semester. Candidates must follow the steps below:
- access the website http://fies.mec.gov.br;
- Click on “My Registration” and then “Register”;
- Enter the access data for the “gov.br” account (CPF and password);
- Choose up to three course options and institutions where you want to study.
During the application period, candidates can change their options as many times as they want. This provides greater flexibility and allows for strategic adjustments based on available vacancies.
IES acronym: what does it mean?
An important detail in the registration process is filling in the “IES” field, which means “higher education institution”.
The applicant must correctly enter the name of the college or university where they intend to pursue their undergraduate degree. This step is crucial to ensure that the application is valid and processed correctly.
Impact of Fies on the future of education
With an investment of more than R$774 million for 2025 alone, Fies continues to be one of the government's main tools for democratizing higher education.
The program has helped low-income youth access quality courses at private institutions, often located in regions where public education is insufficient.
Experts, however, warn of long-term challenges.
The sustainability of the current model depends on a delicate balance between government funding and students’ ability to repay their debts.
Furthermore, the introduction of new technologies and teaching methods can significantly change the dynamics of the education sector in the coming years.
Expanded opportunities in the Three-Year Plan
The continuity of Fies in 2026 and 2027, with similar numbers of vacancies to those in 2025, reflects the importance of the program in the MEC's strategic planning.
According to the ministry, this approach guarantees stability for both students and educational institutions, allowing for more effective planning.
How to apply for Fies in 2025
Those interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should prepare in advance. Registration requires attention to the selection criteria and the system's opening dates.
The candidate can follow updates directly on the official Fies portal or at MEC announcements.
To register, you must:
- Have an active account in the “gov.br” system;
- Be aware of the registration deadlines and the published schedule;
- Choose course and institution options carefully.
With so many opportunities and record investment, will Fies continue to be the most effective solution for democratizing access to higher education in Brazil?
