On July 21, 1999, the Centro Universitário Feevale acquired university autonomy through the approval of the Minister of Education Paulo Renato Souza.

Thereafter, the projects of the institution could be developed more rapidly, providing opportunities for the achievement of desired objectives.

A major achievement occurred on April 5, 2010, when Novo Hamburgo celebrated its 83 years of political emancipation when it was published in the Diário oficial (Official Gazette), an ordinance of the Ministry of Education, accrediting the University Center as Universidade Feevale (Feevale University).

The institution was the only finalist from Rio Grande do Sul, competing alongside five other university in the country — two from Santa Catarina and three from São Paulo.

The National Confederation of Education Institutions and Humus Consultancy, responsible for the award, received 35 entries from schools all over Brazil, who presented their projects and successful cases in academic management, social responsibility, people, and financial-economic.