Peru has tried to widen access to higher education through financial support for disadvantaged students. The best-known program is Beca 18, introduced by the Peruvian government in 2012. It offers full scholarships covering tuition and living costs to high-performing students from poor families, and it is administered by the national scholarship agency PRONABEC. Between 2012 and 2019 it awarded tens of thousands of scholarships, making it the country’s largest undergraduate aid program.
Money alone does not fix everything. Students from the poorest households still enroll at far lower rates than their wealthier peers, and many drop out for financial reasons even with aid. Peru’s universities also vary widely in quality, so choosing where to study matters.
For Peruvian students, the practical advice is straightforward: apply for every scholarship you qualify for, compare the true cost of each option, and check that the institution is properly recognized. Reading about financial aid options and how to maximize financial aid helps, as does understanding why accreditation matters.
Continents International University is based in Missouri, United States, and holds candidacy status for accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), granted in July 2024 and running through July 31, 2029. Candidacy is an early step and is not the same as full accreditation. Prospective students can review international admission requirements before applying.

