The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, has signed a new InvestEU‑backed guarantee agreement with Quotanda and eight European universities, education providers, and non‑profits to unlock up to €55 million in student financing. The initiative allows students to begin their studies without paying tuition fees upfront, repaying only after graduation and employment, easing financial pressure at the start of their careers.
Announced in Luxembourg, the partnership includes institutions such as Esade Business & Law School, Bocconi University, Hertie School, Academia Institute of Technology, Algebra Bernays University, 4Geeks Academy, CODE.science, and Yaran Foundation. EIF leaders emphasized that investing in education and talent is a priority for Europe’s competitiveness, while Quotanda highlighted the fairness and flexibility of deferred tuition and income‑linked repayment models.
The cooperation builds on EIF’s longstanding work with Quotanda, which has already enabled thousands of students to access higher education. By sharing financial risk through a portfolio guarantee, EIF allows institutions to offer more accessible financing terms, ensuring that access to education is based on ability and ambition rather than immediate financial means.
This initiative supports Europe’s need for advanced digital, technological, and managerial skills, while addressing the skills gap through re‑ and upskilling. It also reflects the EIB Group’s broader commitment to education, which in 2025 alone provided €3.3 billion for education and skills, and €13 billion over the past five years.
Investing in education is seen as investing in Europe’s future. Evidence shows each additional year of education increases private earnings by 9–10 percent, while also strengthening social cohesion, innovation, and resilience. Through initiatives like this, the EIB Group continues to translate long‑term vision into tangible opportunities for students across Europe.
