Educational subsidy in Colombia: how much is it and how to request it

The educational subsidy and school fairs in the country are two ways to face one of the highest expenses: the purchase of school supplies and educational costs.

On January 24, the country will return to classrooms in the new normality, but with all the biosafety measures to guarantee the health of students and teachers. See more on Personal Finance.

However, parents are concerned these days about the high increase in educational costs and the purchase of school supplies. According to Tiendeo.com, a cost and promotions platform with a presence in Colombia, a comparison was made in the first half of January 2022 vs. the immediately previous year, evidencing an increase in the search for notebooks (432%), face masks (308 %), school shoes (215%), pencils and colors (200%), backpacks (150%) and antibacterial gel (70%).

In the search for school supplies, there is also an increase in products for children such as paints (63%), lunch boxes (50%), plasticine (33%) and glue (20%). Regarding Literature, the platform's analysis shows that the search for books, including children's books, has increased by 27%.

A return to school that is more expensive, but also safer

Although parents ask that the option of returning alternately to avoid crowds be studied and evaluated, they also suggest that the vaccination days within schools, or continue with the strategy of learning at home, so that at that moment the purchase of the list of school items can be started and, at the same time, a safe space for their children is guaranteed.

In fact, it is expected that the average cost of school supplies for each child will be 43% more than in 2020, that is, $489,905 pesos, including items such as lunch boxes, backpacks, pencils, notebooks, as well as uniforms (shirt , blouse, pants, socks and shoes).

In order to face the situation, alternatives arise, such as taking advantage of the educational subsidy and the days of school fairs that are held in the country. One of them will be the Compensar compensation fund, which between January 21 and 23 will hold its traditional School Fair.

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Affiliates and non-affiliates to Compensar will have the facility to access school supplies and kits, making use of the monetary subsidy and, in addition to this, an educational subsidy is also provided to affiliates when back to school.

This year the Fair will return to the Plaza de Jubilee on Av. 68, so the vaccination card will be required to enter and a limited capacity will be maintained. Attendees will be able to enjoy incredible prices on all school items. On the other hand, Compensar members can also take advantage of the discounts and benefits of the 20 partner establishments or buy a school kit to be delivered to their homes.

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Access the educational subsidy

According to Compensar, this subsidy is $69,000 per student and is consolidated as a key support when making purchases.

“January means preparing for the delivery of educational subsidies from Compensar to families, to support their budget and help their economy. This year, the beneficiaries will receive a contribution of $69,000 for each of their children or siblings between the ages of 6 and 18. This support may be used to purchase school supplies, uniforms, food for the lunch box, technology, connectivity, and other educational implements,” said Michel Alexander González, Compensar's marketing specialist.

In this line, the specialist provides a series of recommendations so that parents can acquire all the materials for their children without significantly affecting their pockets:

#1. Make use of the monetary and educational allowance. On a monthly basis, the compensation funds deliver the monetary subsidy to the beneficiaries, who receive $39,000 for each of their children, an additional entry that is complemented by the educational subsidy, which is disbursed annually with the beginning of the school calendar.

#2. Check that the educational institution is asking for what is necessary and avoid making purchases that are not immediate.

#3. Prioritize the purchases you are going to make, since it is not necessary to buy everything at the same time, keep in mind that no school has authorization from the Ministry of Education to return a student for failing to comply with some of the requirements on the list.

#4. Go to places that bring together a large portfolio of school supplies in one place, such as School Fairs, which have inexpensive options and different vendors at affordable prices.

Who receives this economic contribution?

According to Asocajas, the educational subsidy can be claimed by the worker who earns a maximum of 4 current monthly minimum wages, which as of January 2022 amounts to $4 million in income.

Members must show children under the age of 18 who are enrolled in an educational institution. The benefit coverage applies to legitimate, natural, adopted children, stepchildren and orphan siblings.

Asocajas states that, according to the needs of the affiliated population, each entity has the autonomy to set the conditions of the subsidy. In this sense, they are the ones in charge of defining the value, the deadlines, the requirements and the detail of the elements that can be acquired.

Educational subsidy in some compensation funds

The children of workers whose affiliated company is current and safe in the payment of contributions until November 2021 may be beneficiaries.

In some special cases, the delivery of the combo is accepted if between the two parents affiliated with Cafam, income does not exceed 4 SMMLV, the beneficiaries (their children) receive a combo for each parent. The endorsements are charged to the Cafam Integral Card of the person in charge of the beneficiary.

This payment does not apply to optional affiliates (Military Force, Armed Forces, Air Force and Police). The combo comes with a list of school supplies, including a backpack, a pencil case, 4 lined notebooks, 2 squared notebooks, 3 black pencils, a red pencil, a pencil sharpener, among other items.

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