Attracting Latin American students to UdeM

Graduate students studying at some of the world's top universities - or intending to - will now get an extra helping hand in paying for their studies, thanks to three agreements signed between Université de Montréal and granting partners in Latin America.

Two of the agreements are with Mexican organizations: the Human Resources Development Fund (FIDERH), and the Mexican Foundation for Education, Technology and Science (FUNED). The third is with Colfuturo, an organization in Colombia.

• FIDERH is a federal trust fund supporting Mexican students with grants of $56,000 a year to pursue their graduate studies at internationally renowned universities.
• FUNED provides financial aid ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 to Mexican students pursuing a Master's or D.E.S.S. abroad at one of the world's top 200 universities.
• Colfuturo offers support of up to $70,000 to Colombian students interested in pursuing master's and doctoral studies.

Through these partners, UdeM hopes to attract more talented students with a variety of competitive funding opportunities. Every year, nearly 100 Mexican and Colombian students express their interest in pursuing quality higher education at UdeM.

The new agreements will build on that interest, as well as attract new high-potential talent to one of the world's best student cities.

Latin America is an important recruitment territory for UdeM, bolstered by partnerships it has renewed in the region with the help of the Quebec government's delegation offices in Quebec City and Bogota.

"The signing of these new agreements reaffirms our desire to welcome a larger number of  international students to our institution, which is and remains resolutely open to the world," said Michèle Glémaud, UdeM's executive director of admissions and recruitment.

"These agreements will enable talented students from Latin America to pursue a higher education project that lives up to their aspirations, guided by professors recognized worldwide for their research expertise," she said.

The partnerships are aimed at future or current D.E.S.S., Master's or Ph.D. students of Mexican or Colombian nationality who wish to pursue their studies abroad.

With UdeM's participation, partner organizations will be able increase the support they provide to scholarship holders. With tuition fees more affordable, these graduates will be better able to focus their efforts on the success of their study project.

The steps to follow to for the grants are simple and laid out in detail here, in French.

Funding is granted on the basis of eligibility criteria specific to each organization. Applicants can benefit from scholarships, loans or a study credit program to cover various aspects of their studies in Montreal.

Funds may be used to cover tuition fees, medical insurance or living expenses. Repayment terms, if applicable, are very advantageous, including grace periods and preferential interest rates.