Registration is now open for the Aspiraciones program, aimed at TP schools throughout Chile
The Luksic Foundation’s initiative aims to bridge the information gap affecting students at technical and vocational high schools by facilitating access to higher education and benefits such as tuition-free education.
Applications for “Aspiraciones”—a program that, since 2021, has been promoting the continuation of studies for students in technical-vocational (TP) high school programs, with the goal of expanding their educational and career opportunities—will remain open until March 27, 2026.
According to data collected by the program at TP institutions across the country, there is a significant gap between students’ expectations and their level of information. While more than 90% express interest in pursuing higher education, 73% report having little knowledge of the opportunities and the process for applying for financial aid, and only 4% correctly identify all the requirements for qualifying for tuition-free education.
This gap is particularly significant when one considers that those who pursue higher education earn, on average, 2.3 times more than those who do not. Furthermore, TP students are among the groups with the highest levels of social vulnerability.
“We see students with high expectations of continuing their education, but without enough information to make decisions that could change the course of their lives. It’s not a lack of interest, but rather an information gap that prevents them from accessing benefits such as tuition-free education and other socioeconomic supports for which many could qualify. Aspiraciones aims to bridge that gap and support them at a pivotal moment in their lives,” explains Fernanda Orellana, Director of Education at the Luksic Foundation.
To register for Aspiraciones, simply fill out the online form.
Benefits for Students and Schools
After completing a survey, each student receives a personalized set that identifies three degree programs aligned with their interests and preferences. The report includes data on graduate employability, average income, the actual duration of the degree programs, and a timeline outlining the steps to apply, including guidance on how to qualify for tuition-free enrollment.
In addition, schools will receive a detailed report with their students’ results, along with specific guidance on how to promote educational continuity within their school community.
In 2021, the program underwent an impact evaluation that confirmed its effectiveness. Providing personalized information significantly increased students’ knowledge of higher education. And when that support is complemented by mentoring, the results are even more striking: the likelihood that students will continue their studies after graduation increases by 5 points, and the likelihood that they will register to take the Higher Education Admission Test (PAES) increases by 13 points.
