The rector of a university and the student government determine the conditions of granting financial support in the form of scholarships at a given university. The information below is general. Detailed conditions are available at universities.
- Financial aid
- Rector’s scholarship
- Financial aid for the disabled
- Special assistance grant (one-time)
- Scholarship from the Minister of Education
Financial aid
Most Polish universities grant financial aid for one semester, which means that those who wish to receive such support should apply for it in both summer and winter semesters. Granting the aid depends mainly on average income per family member. The limit of income which entitles students to apply for financial aid is established by the rector in cooperation with the university student council government. The document which states the income level is issued by student’s tax office. Moreover, the family situation is taken into account, when the chance for alimonies is limited or eliminated, and when the student raises a child on her/his own, there is no person obliged to pay alimonies, and the child lives with the student.
Applications for financial aid should be filed in the dean’s office and the students’ social office by the end of October for the winter semester, and by the end of March for the summer semester. After the applications are analysed by the scholarship committee of the faculty and then by deans and the rector, who grant the aid.
Rector’s scholarship
Second-year students and students of later years can apply for the rector’s scholarship. It is granted to the students who have completed the first year of studies within the basic deadline specified in the rules and have received a high grade average from exams. Such general requirements apply to the majority of Polish universities, but they are not enforced by the state. Each university establishes detailed conditions and sums of the rector’s scholarship.
More info is available on web pages of universities.
Financial aid for the disabled
Only those who have a medical report stating full or partial disability can apply for financial aid for the disabled.
The deadline for filing such a medical report is important – most universities have set it for September, i.e. before the academic year begins. The aid is granted for 9 months.
The sum of financial aid for the disabled depends on the student’s disability level. Receiving such aid does not disqualify the student from applying for other scholarships.
Special assistance grant (one-time)
It is a one-time financial support for students who are temporarily in a difficult material situation. It is a non-refundable emergency grant. Examples of a difficult material situation include an accident or serious illness of the student or his/her child, birth of a child in a family of two students. The aid can also be granted to a disabled student who needs support in order to buy equipment which will improve his/her living conditions. Only some universities grant such aid.
Scholarship from the Minister of Education
Minister’s scholarship is considered to be the most prestigious one, which means that only a handful of students stand a chance of receiving it.
This scholarship can be granted to the students who not only received good grades in the previous year, but also had exceptional achievements in science, arts or sports.
Examples of exceptional achievements include:
– scientific publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals (at least nation-wide),
– participation in research projects,
– being an author or co-author of the utility model patent,
– presentation during academic conferences,
– awards in international contests,
– exceptional works of art,
– participation in the Olympics,
– participation in the world championship,
– taking at least the 5th place in a European championship or an academic championship of the world or Europe.
Applications should be filed to the head of the basic organizational unit of the university or directly to the rector.
Photo © Anna Karahan