Global Education

What Global Education does

Global Education, founded in 1997-1998 and headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia, is a financial services firm that sells prepaid higher education insurance plans to families across Latin America, the United States, and Spain. The company's flagship products, marketed as GlobalPregrado and GlobalPosgrado, allow parents and grandparents to lock in current tuition prices by paying either a single upfront amount or five annual installments, with the underwriter Global Tuition & Education Insurance Corporation (Barbados) committing to pay the future university directly on behalf of the named beneficiary. Coverage spans public and private universities in Colombia, public or public/private universities in the United States, and (with a maximum tuition cap of 23,660 EUR for 2025-2026) universities in Spain, with plan durations of two years, four years, or five years/semesters, plus a postgraduate variant for US graduate studies.

The business operates as a licensed insurance and tuition-prepayment vehicle with no proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or public API. Plans are structured as multi-year contracts that include a 5-year life insurance benefit from affiliated carrier Global Seguros de Vida S.A., scholarship reimbursement provisions, transferability to other beneficiaries, and cancellation refunds of 80% of capital plus 4% simple annual interest. Revenue is generated from the spread between prepaid premiums and actual tuition costs at the time of enrollment, plus investment returns on collected premiums held over multi-year horizons.

Global Education distributes through three direct offices (Barbados headquarters, Miami, and Bogotá) supported by regional distributors across Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, and through banking channel partnerships including a 2000 joint venture with Banco Santander, distribution agreements with Citibank, Helm, Lloyds (2001) and SKANDIA (2004), and additional banking relationships with Scotiabank and Banco de Occidente Panamá. The firm employs 51-100 staff and serves "thousands of families" with a sales-led, personalized advisory go-to-market motion. No external funding rounds, institutional investors, or revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Global Education

Legal name

Global Education

Website

https://globaleducation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Global Education sells prepaid higher education insurance plans, primarily across Latin America, the United States, and Spain, enabling families to lock in current tuition prices and guarantee future university payments for their children or grandchildren through multi-year installment contracts underwritten by its Barbados-based insurance carrier.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Financing

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Life Insurance (6311), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

International Student Financial, Insurance & Tax Support (insurance enrollment, tax filing guidance) (EDALANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Degree-Level Scholarships (Undergrad/Masters/PhD/Postdoc) (EDAIAOAE), University/Institutional Scholarships & Tuition Waivers (EDAIAOAG)

Keywords

• Prepaid tuition plans
• Education financing
• Tuition insurance
• Higher education savings
• Education prepayment

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Prepaid Tuition Plans: Revenue generated through prepaid higher education insurance plans. Families pay either a single upfront payment (contado) or annual installments (5 fixed annual installments) to secure tuition coverage for their children's future university education. The plans are underwritten by Global Tuition & Education Insurance Corporation, which pays universities directly when beneficiaries enroll. Revenue comes from the spread between prepaid amounts and actual tuition costs at time of enrollment, plus investment returns on collected premiums.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Global Education sells prepaid higher education tuition plans that allow families to lock in current university tuition prices today and have those costs paid directly to the university when the beneficiary enrolls. Its GlobalPregrado line covers undergraduate tuition at Colombian, U.S., and Spanish universities (public or private, depending on the variant), while GlobalPosgrado covers postgraduate studies at U.S. universities. Plans are available as single upfront payments or 5-year installment contracts, are transferable to other beneficiaries, and include a 5-year life insurance benefit through affiliated insurer Global Seguros de Vida S.A.

Product overview

Global Education offers a suite of educational prepayment plans under the GlobalPregrado and GlobalPosgrado product lines. GlobalPregrado plans prepay undergraduate tuition at Colombian, Spanish, and US universities, with variants offering national coverage (Colombia only), national plus Spain coverage, or US coverage through public or private institutions. GlobalPosgrado plans prepay graduate studies at US universities, offering either public-only or universal coverage. All plans are underwritten by Global Tuition & Education Insurance Corporation and allow beneficiaries to use their coverage up to 10 years after the estimated university entry date.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GlobalPregrado: Prepaid undergraduate education plans covering universities in Colombia and the United States.
• GlobalPosgrado

Products and services

• GlobalPregrado Nacional Prepaid undergraduate tuition plan covering up to 5 years or 10 semesters at any public or private university in Colombia. Available to families with a child who has a minimum of 6 years until university enrollment, with single payment or 5 annual fixed installment options.
• GlobalPregrado Nacional 5 Semestres

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• SKANDIAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2004Distribution agreement signed in 2004 with SKANDIA for insurance and financial products.
• Citibank, Helm, LloydscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2001Distribution agreements signed in 2001 with major banks (Citibank, Helm, and Lloyds) to distribute Universidad Garantizada plans in Colombian pesos, significantly expanding market reach.
• Banco SantandercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2000Joint venture established in 2000 with Banco Santander to finance Universidad Garantizada plans in Colombian pesos. This partnership enabled expanded distribution and financing options for customers.
• Royal & SunAlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Alliance formed in 1999 to issue the 'Universidad Garantizada' insurance product in Colombian pesos. This revolutionary product transformed the Colombian market and achieved market leadership in the education insurance sector. In 2007, Global Education acquired Royal and SunAlliance Seguros de Vida (Col) and Cicol SA, strengthening its market position.
• ESSTUDIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent housing service partner offering residence facilities for Global beneficiaries in Bogotá. ESSTUDIA provides special rates to Global Education plan holders, enhancing the overall service offering for families with children studying away from home.
• RENTA 4 GLOBALminorOthersFiduciary and wealth management services partner leveraging technology for Colombian families and companies. Provides investment platform services for clients.
• Global Seguros de Vida S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated insurance company providing life insurance benefits to Global Education plan holders. Plan purchasers receive a 5-year life insurance policy for the total plan value as an additional benefit.
• Actuarial Resources CorporationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerActuarial consulting firm providing actuarial support and calculations for the insurance products.
• MarshminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobal insurance brokerage firm providing risk management and insurance brokerage services.
• ScotiabankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanking partner providing financial services and distribution support for education plans.
• Banco de Occidente PanamáminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional banking partner for distribution of financial products.
• MillimanminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerActuarial consulting firm providing risk management and actuarial expertise.
• HOBBS, NILES & CO.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChartered accounting firm providing audit and financial advisory services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• CollegeBacker: Digital-first 529 college savings platform targeting families with a modern, mobile-first UX. Represents the emerging digital disruptor model that could pressure traditional sales-led prepaid tuition providers like Global Education.
• Zapfi (Mexico): Mexican digital education savings platform offering automated, goal-based college savings. Comparable to Global Education's Mexican market distribution through a digital-native approach, representing an emerging alternative in the same geography.

Others

• Banco Santander: Major banking partner and joint venture collaborator since 2000 for financing Universidad Garantizada plans. While not a direct competitor, Santander's own education finance initiatives in Latin America represent both a channel and a potential competitive threat.

Direct peers

• Texas Tuition Promise Fund: Texas-sponsored prepaid tuition program covering tuition and required fees at Texas public colleges. Direct comparable to Global Education's GlobalPregrado as a state-backed prepaid tuition product with multi-year payment options.
• Icatu Seguros: Brazilian insurance company with a major education insurance product (Icatu Seguros Educacional). Direct peer in Latin American education insurance underwriting, providing prepaid higher education coverage for Brazilian families.
• Florida Prepaid College Board: US state-sponsored prepaid tuition plan that locks in current tuition prices for future Florida university enrollment. Compares directly to Global Education's GlobalPregrado Estatal as both offer guaranteed tuition coverage for undergraduate studies at predetermined prices.
• Private College 529 Plan: Prepaid tuition plan covering tuition at participating private colleges and universities. Similar to GlobalPregrado Universal in offering coverage at private institutions with locked-in pricing for future enrollment.

Broad incumbents

• ScholarShare 529 (California): California's official 529 college savings plan, one of the largest in the US. While primarily a savings rather than prepaid plan, it competes for the same customer base of families planning for future higher education costs.
• MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority): US state authority offering both prepaid tuition (MEFA Prepaid Tuition) and college savings plans. Overlaps with Global Education in prepaid tuition products but also offers broader education financing services including student loans.
• Brighthouse Education Edge: Insurance-led education savings product offered by Brighthouse Financial. Represents broader incumbent insurance companies offering education financing products as part of larger financial services portfolios.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Education