The state budget for 2026 includes an increase in funding for student scholarships by 1.5 billion hryvnias compared to the previous year. If the amounts proposed by the government are finally approved, the scholarship amounts for Ukrainian students may rise in 2026.
This is reported by Finway
Plans for scholarship funding
Olha Chabaniuk, Deputy Head of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine, spoke about the prospects for increasing scholarships. She reported that in the draft budget for 2026, scholarship expenditures are set at 6.6 billion hryvnias, which is 1.2 billion more than in 2025. However, the final amount of payments will only be known after the state budget is approved.
“Accordingly, there may be a review of the scholarship amounts. But we will see the final figures after the document is adopted,” emphasized Chabaniuk.
Types of scholarships and features of their allocation
According to Olha Chabaniuk, there are two main types of scholarships in Ukraine: academic and social. The regular academic scholarship currently amounts to 2000 UAH per month, the increased one is 2900 UAH, while students in technical specialties (including engineering, energy, mining, metallurgy) receive 2550 or 3711 UAH depending on the level of the scholarship. This support is aimed at encouraging studies in fields important for the state.
Social scholarships for students in higher education institutions amount to 1180 UAH per month. Special support is provided for orphans: for the age group from 18 to 23 years, the payment is 4542 UAH, and for younger students, it is 4794 UAH per month.
Scholarships are awarded based on rankings formed by exam results, as well as additional points for participation in scientific competitions, Olympiads, and other events. The final decision on awarding is made by scholarship committees, which include representatives of student self-government and trade unions.
Chabaniuk emphasized that educational institutions do not have the right to independently change the scholarship amounts, as this is regulated by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1045. The budget accounts for the payment of scholarships to 40% of students studying under state orders, although previously this quota was 75%.
A few years ago, there was a proposal to reduce the number of scholarship recipients to 15% of budget-funded students; however, the student community actively defended its rights during a protest in Kyiv, and the quota remained at its current level. Despite this, the scholarship amounts, as noted by Chabaniuk, still do not satisfy the youth, and the issue of their increase remains relevant.