European Union Scholarships Project: Empowering Higher Education in Türkiye

Launched in 2023 and funded by the European Union, the European Union Scholarships Project is a transformative three-year initiative dedicated to enhancing the lives of higher education students in Türkiye. The project aims to provide substantial financial assistance, increase social cohesion, and expand access to higher education, particularly for vulnerable groups.

A Collaborative Effort with a Nationwide Impact

The European Union Scholarships Project operates through a consortium of four key partners: Ankara University, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Marmara Municipalities Union, and the Representation of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in Türkiye.

By collaborating with universities, municipalities, government institutions, and both international and national organizations, the project works to enhance students’ educational opportunities, promote social cohesion, and improve employability. The focus on gender equality, the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, support for earthquake victims, orphans, and other vulnerable groups is central to the project’s mission.

Financial Support Tailored to Student Needs

In the previous academic year, the project supported 1,287 students with stipends and tuition assistance, providing crucial financial aid to those in need. For the 2024-25 academic year, the project continues to offer significant support:

• Undergraduate Students: Eligible students can receive an annual allowance of €360, or alternatively, a maximum university fee contribution of €500.
• Graduate Students: Graduate students are eligible for an annual allowance of €540, or the same maximum university fee contribution of €500.

The scholarship payments are made in two installments each semester, following the verification of the student’s enrollment and continued academic performance.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility and Requirements

The European Union Scholarships Project is open to students who meet the following criteria:

• Residency and Status: Applicants must be registered in higher education in Türkiye and hold temporary protection status (Syrians), international protection status, or Turkish citizenship.
• Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the last day of the scholarship application period and must not have reached the age of 35.
• Academic Performance: To qualify for the scholarship, students must have a GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale, or 65 and above on a 100-point scale.

Eligible students must be enrolled in a graduate (Master’s or PhD) or undergraduate-level university program. The scholarships do not cover Vocational Education, two-year undergraduate programs, or Language Prep students.

Geographical and Academic Scope

The project covers a wide range of cities and academic disciplines, ensuring that students from various backgrounds and regions can benefit:

• Eligible Cities: The scholarship is available to students in the following cities: Adana, Ankara, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Erzurum, Eskişehir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaraş, Karabük, Kayseri, Kilis, Konya, Malatya, Mardin, Mersin, Samsun, Şanlıurfa, Trabzon, and Van.
• Eligible Faculties and Departments: Students enrolled in the following faculties and departments are eligible to apply:
  • Engineering
  • Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences
  • Business Administration
  • Design and Architecture
  • Art and Science
  • Education
  • Law
  • Language
  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Pharmacy
  • Communication

Additional Scoring Criteria: Enhancing Your Application

The project recognizes the unique challenges faced by certain groups and offers additional points to applicants who meet specific criteria:

• Gender: Female applicants receive an additional 5 points, promoting gender equality in higher education.
• Relative of a Martyr or Veteran: Applicants who are relatives of martyrs or veterans receive an additional 5 points.
• Disabled Applicants: Applicants with disabilities receive an additional 5 points.
• Victims of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake: Applicants who were directly affected by the devastating earthquake on February 6, 2023, receive an additional 5 points.
• Orphans: Applicants who have lost one or both parents receive an additional 5 points.

Application Process and Required Documents

To apply for the European Union Scholarships Project, students must submit the following documents:

• Identification: TR ID, Temporary Protection ID, or International Protection ID, ensuring that applicants’ identities and statuses are verified.
• Student Certificate: A certificate indicating active enrollment in a higher education program in Türkiye.
• Transcript: A transcript indicating the GPA or University Entrance Exam result (YKS or YÖS), ensuring that applicants meet the academic performance criteria.

For those seeking additional scoring points, the following documents may be required:

• Relative of a Martyr or Veteran: Non-fee Travel Card for Relatives of Martyr Veterans, Martyr Veteran Relative Rental Assistance Certificate, or Martyr Veteran Relative Employment Certificate.
• Disability: A Disability Report verifying the applicant’s status.
• Earthquake Victim: Family Type Civil Registry, Historical Residence, and Other Addresses Document, Earthquake-Related Death or Disability Report, Damage Certificate of the House, or an official document showing aid received from the government.
• Orphan: Death Certificate or Family Type Civil Registry.

Additionally, applicants must submit documents verifying their household income status. These include:

• Tax Certificate for Self-Employment: For those who are self-employed.
• Pay Slip or SGK Document: For those employed in the public or private sectors.
• Pension Information: For retirees.
• SGK Registration and Service Document: For those not currently employed.

How to Apply

Students interested in applying for the European Union Scholarships Project for the 2024-25 academic year can do so by visiting the project website at www.euburs.org. See the guidelines before applying.

The application deadline is October 6, 2024. Results are expected to be announced on November 9, 2024. Visit the website for more information.