Students from Costa Rica’s public universities marched through San José yesterday protesting a government proposal that would keep university funding essentially flat in 2027 and warning that scholarships, research and student services could suffer if lawmakers approve the plan without changes.
The demonstration brought together students from the five public universities, along with university employees, labor unions and social organizations. The rectors of all five public universities also joined the protest. Marchers traveled from the University of Costa Rica area in San Pedro toward the Legislative Assembly, eventually gathering at Plaza de la Democracia in downtown San José.
“If we keep cutting back, we’ll end up ignorant” and “I want young people to pick up a pencil, not a weapon” were among the messages carried by protesters. At the center of the dispute is the Fondo Especial para la Educación Superior, better known as FEES, the main fund the Costa Rican government uses to finance its five public universities.
The government has proposed keeping the FEES base at approximately ₡593.5 billion (about US$1.31 billion) for 2027, essentially the same nominal amount allocated for 2026. Public universities had requested a 2.94% increase. Negotiations between the government and university representatives ended without an agreement on April 21, leaving the final decision in the hands of the Legislative Assembly as part of its review of the national budget.
For students, the argument goes beyond university accounting as university representatives say a funding freeze could put more pressure on scholarships, student meals, transportation assistance, housing, regional campuses, research programs and other services that help lower-income students remain enrolled.
Daniela Chaves Matamoros, president of the student federation at the National University, said the amount ultimately approved will directly affect the conditions under which thousands of students study next year. The protest coincided with the government’s formal presentation of its 2027 National Budget to lawmakers. The overall spending plan totals approximately ₡12.4 trillion and is roughly ₡393 billion smaller than the 2026 budget.
Several opposition lawmakers left the Legislative Assembly to meet with the protesters. Mangel McLean, a lawmaker from the National Liberation Party, said opposition parties would push during the budget debate for universities to receive the additional resources they are requesting.
Antonio Trejos of the Broad Front also criticized the decision not to increase FEES and raised concerns about proposed funding levels for education, culture and public security. No lawmakers from the governing bloc joined the students outside the legislature, according to local reports.
The dispute is complicated by an earlier funding disagreement. Student and university groups say approximately ₡11.5 billion tied to an increase approved for the 2025 FEES was never transferred to the universities. Public university financing has long been one of Costa Rica’s most closely watched annual budget negotiations. The five state universities are the University of Costa Rica, National University, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Distance State University and National Technical University.
The argument now moves fully into the Legislative Assembly. Lawmakers on the Budget Committee have until October 20 to complete their initial review of the proposed national budget. The spending plan then moves to the full legislature, where it must receive final approval before November 30.
That gives students and university officials several weeks to pressure lawmakers for changes. Yesterday’s march made clear they intend to use them.
