In an extraordinary session, the Superior Council of the Universidad Industrial de Santander approved a set of transitional and exceptional measures aimed at mitigating the impact that the recent increase in the statutory monthly minimum wage would have on various economic aspects of university life.
These decisions recognize that matters such as undergraduate and graduate tuition, other student payments, as well as certain institutional benefits and socioeconomic support programs, are legally tied to the minimum wage. In this context, and with the purpose of balancing student protection with institutional fiscal responsibility, the Superior Council adopted an alternative adjustment formula for the 2026 academic year.
On a temporary basis, increases in tuition and certain fees will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus two (2) percentage points, instead of being directly linked to the minimum wage. This represents a 7.1% increase, compared to a nearly 23% rise that would have resulted under the ordinary scheme.
Through this decision, the University seeks to mitigate the economic impact on students while ensuring UIS’s financial sustainability and the continuity of its programs and services, preserving their coverage, impact, and quality.
“It is important to remember that at UIS, 93% of students benefit from Tuition-Free Education, which means these measures are especially aimed at protecting the remaining 7% who do pay tuition, ensuring that no young person’s access to or continuity at the University is compromised by disproportionate increases,” said Nectalí Ariza, faculty representative to the Superior Council.
Ariza emphasized that although 93% of students receive free tuition, the remaining 7% could have been seriously affected by the increase. “We did not want any student to be unable to enter or continue at UIS due to a disproportionate rise,” he said.
Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Bolívar, delegate of the Ministry of National Education to the Superior Council, stressed that the adopted decisions seek a balance between the labor dignity represented by the minimum wage increase and the University’s financial sustainability. “We took responsible measures so that there are no negative impacts on the university community, especially students. The 7.1% increase is rational and economically responsible,” he said.
The measures also include temporary adjustments to financial aid, scholarships, and certain student welfare services, which will likewise be calculated based on the CPI or CPI plus two points, as applicable. Agreements related to forgivable loans in master’s and doctoral programs were also reviewed as part of a comprehensive package of academic and social protection.
From the student representation, Nicolás Serrano highlighted that the agreements represent significant relief. “Instead of an increase close to 23%, only 7.1% will be applied, which protects students and maintains access to services such as dining halls and welfare support,” he said.
University authorities reiterated that these are temporary measures, adopted while structural adjustments to public higher education financing are implemented through reforms to Articles 86 and 87 of Law 30, which seek to align university budgets with real operating costs.
With these decisions, UIS reaffirms its commitment to student retention, equity in access to higher education, and institutional sustainability in a challenging economic context for the public university system.
