Paying for higher education as a Comorian student
No structured public student loan is known in the Comoros. Students fund the University of the Comoros or a degree abroad through family, the diaspora, cooperation scholarships and sometimes a loan taken out by a salaried parent.
The University of the Comoros, the main institution
Founded in 2003, the University of the Comoros takes in most school leavers and has campuses on several islands. Enrolment fees remain modest, but housing, travel between islands and study materials weigh heavily on family budgets.
No public student loan
No state-guaranteed public student loan scheme is recorded in the Comoros. Banks do not generally offer a product designed for students without income, given the lack of collateral and of immediate job prospects for graduates.
Going abroad to study
Many young Comorians continue their studies in Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt or France. The plane ticket, housing deposit, insurance and first months of living costs make up the family's main financing need.
Cooperation scholarships
Scholarships are awarded under agreements with partner countries and international organisations, often on academic merit. Their number remains limited, and they rarely cover all costs, so families have to top them up with their own savings.
The decisive role of relatives abroad
An uncle settled in Marseille or a sister living in Mayotte often pays part of the cost of studies. These transfers, sent through licensed intermediaries or mobile money, are in practice the main source of funding for Comorian students.
Borrowing in a Comorian parent's name
In the absence of student loans, a parent working as a civil servant or employee can borrow in their own name from their bank or a Meck. The loan is repaid from the domiciled salary, and the student has no legal obligation towards the lender.
Proving funds for a visa
To study in France, a student must show sufficient resources, often through a blocked account or a sponsorship letter. Families then draw on savings, guarantors in France and sometimes a bank loan taken out at home.
Before university, school fees
Primary and secondary school costs, often at private schools in Moroni, come before university expenses. Our guide to school fee financing in the Comoros covers salary advances and back-to-school solutions for families.
Student side jobs in Moroni
Private tutoring, small trading or seasonal work allow some students to cover their day-to-day expenses. This irregular income is not enough to obtain credit, but it eases the burden on parents who stayed at home.
After graduation, the job hunt
Unemployment among young graduates is a major issue in the archipelago, which makes any personal borrowing during studies risky. Funding options for job seekers are listed in our page on loans without a job in the Comoros.
Fake scholarships and loans aimed at students
Fraudsters target Comorian students heading abroad with fake loan or scholarship offers in exchange for fees. Every official scholarship is announced by the relevant ministry or embassy, with no upfront payment of any kind.
The case of Djibouti
Djibouti, a small French-speaking country in the region, has built a national university and also sends students abroad. Our guide to student loans in Djibouti lets you compare scholarships and support schemes for families.
Planning how to fund higher education from the Comoros
- Estimate the full cost: enrolment, housing, transport, insurance and living expenses for the whole year.
- Find out about cooperation scholarships and meet the application deadlines.
- Bring in relatives in the diaspora and agree who covers which expenses.
- If a loan is needed, have it taken out by a salaried parent whose pay is domiciled.
- Arrange regular transfers through a licensed intermediary and keep the receipts.
Study budget for a Comorian student
| Item | Usual source of funding | What changes the amount |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolment at the University of the Comoros | Family | Course, level of study |
| Housing and inter-island travel | Family, diaspora | Home island, place of study |
| Plane ticket abroad | Diaspora, parent's loan | Destination, season |
| Proof of funds for a visa | Family savings, guarantor | Host country, consular rules |
| Money transfer fees | Paid by the sender | Intermediary, amount sent |
Useful documents for funding Comorian studies
- Student's identity card and passport
- Transcripts and baccalaureate certificate
- Enrolment or pre-enrolment certificate
- Sponsorship letter from a relative
- Payslips of the borrowing parent
- Proof of transfers received
Mistakes families make when funding studies in the Comoros
- Paying fees to a fake agent promising a scholarship or guaranteed admission abroad, without any official document.
- Budgeting only for the plane ticket and enrolment, then running out of money for housing by the second month.
- Having a parent borrow beyond their repayment capacity, putting the whole family's budget at risk.
- Relying on a scholarship not yet confirmed to commit to irreversible departure costs such as the ticket or deposit.
Funding your studies as a Comorian
Do Comorian banks lend to students?
As a rule, no: without income or collateral, a student is not eligible. A bank can, however, lend to a salaried parent whose salary is domiciled, with that loan then used to cover the cost of studies.
Are there scholarships for Comorian students abroad?
Yes, cooperation scholarships are offered by some partner countries and organisations, in limited numbers. Announcements go through ministries, embassies or host institutions; no legitimate application requires payment to a private intermediary.
How does a Comorian student prove their funds for a visa?
Consulates generally ask for a bank statement, a guarantor's sponsorship letter or a scholarship. Comorian families often rely on a parent living in France, whose income serves as the supporting evidence.
Does the student have to repay a loan taken out by their parents?
Legally, only the parent who signed is bound to the bank or the Meck. In practice, many families expect repayment or help in return once the student is working, which is best made clear from the start.