Cotistas

Cotistas are students in Brazil who gained admission to public higher education institutions through a quota system, known as cotas. The term cotista derives from cota, meaning quota. Quotas were designed to expand access for groups historically underrepresented in higher education, including students from public schools, low-income families, and people who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or with disabilities, depending on the institution’s policy.

Quotas can be structured by race/ethnicity, family income, educational background, or combinations of these criteria. Seats are reserved within admission processes, and the selection typically combines the standard entrance examinations with quota rules. Some programs may include additional evaluation or sequencing to promote successful retention and graduation.

Implementation began in the 2000s across federal and state universities, and the policy has been the subject of extensive public debate about fairness, merit, and social inclusion. Legal challenges have addressed questions of constitutionality, and courts have generally upheld quota systems when properly designed to target access for historically disadvantaged groups and to ensure transparency and contestability.

In everyday use, cotista refers to a person who benefited from a quota, and the term is often neutral. However, discussions about cotas and cotistas can appear in political and policy debates, sometimes reflecting differing views on merit and social equity. Some institutions also provide supportive measures for cotistas, such as tutoring, mentoring, and academic transitioning programs.

Related topics include quotas in Brazil and affirmative action in education.