Scholarships and Student Funding in Cape Verde

How scholarship funding works in Cape Verde

Most publicly available funding for higher education students in Cape Verde flows through one channel: the state Study Grants Program, known locally as the Programa de Bolsas de Estudo (PBE). The Ministry of Education, through the Direcao Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES), runs an annual national competition that sets the criteria, procedures, and deadlines for that year's awards. Once a scholarship is approved, a separate agency, FICASE, takes over: it signs the contract with you, pays out your award, and manages renewals each year or semester.

Because DGES and FICASE handle different stages of the process, check both during your application: DGES for the competition regulation and eligibility rules, FICASE for contract signing, payment, and renewal questions.

How big the program is

The PBE has grown substantially in recent years. Scholarships for study inside Cape Verde rose from 679 in the 2017/18 academic year to 1,416 in 2024/25, according to reporting by OPAIS published in July 2025. Counting Cape Verdean students studying abroad, mainly in Portugal and Brazil, the program supported 3,560 higher education students in total during the 2024/25 academic year. The government now invests over 500 million CVE, roughly $5 million, a year in these grants through FICASE.

Grants are non-reimbursable, meaning you do not pay the money back. They run for the normal duration of your course and renew at the start of each academic year or semester as long as you keep meeting the conditions.

Who qualifies

• Cape Verdean nationality is required for every applicant.

• Awards prioritize merit and students who could not otherwise continue their studies without support.

• You must submit proof of your household income: a salary declaration from your employer, or, if no one in your household earns a formal wage, registration in the Cadastro Social Unico, the country's single social registry.

• Your academic standing and progress in your course factor into renewal each year.

How to apply

1. Watch for the annual public notice from DGES, usually published before the new academic year opens.

2. Read that year's competition regulation on the DGES site for the exact criteria, required documents, and deadline.

3. Prepare your income declaration or Cadastro Social Unico registration, along with your academic records and ID.

4. Submit your application through the channel described in that year's notice; the FICASE scholarships page and DGES both publish the current application process.

5. If awarded, sign your contract with FICASE to activate payment.

6. Renew each year or semester by confirming you remain enrolled and in good academic standing.

Where to get current information

Regulations, deadlines, and required documents change every competition cycle, so check the official sources directly rather than relying on a past year's rules. DGES publishes competition regulations on its site and can be reached by phone. FICASE handles questions about contracts, payment, and renewal once you hold an award, reachable through the contact details on its scholarships page .

Funding beyond the state program

A state grant does not always cover every cost of studying, especially rent and food on top of tuition. Many students close that gap with family support, part-time work, or help from local associations. Ask your university's student affairs office about institution-specific waivers or payment plans too, since these vary by school and are not centrally published alongside the national program.