Studies Study grants and scholarships

Study grants and scholarships

Needs-based study allowance

A need-based study allowance can be applied for by a student (except a doctoral student)

who is a citizen of Estonia or resides in Estonia on the basis of a permanent or temporary residence permit. From academic year 2022/2023 need-based special allowance cannot any more be applied for by students who study in Estonia on the basis of TRP for studies (students from outside EU);
who is not on academic leave;
whose period of study has not exceeded the standard period of the curriculum;
who studies full-time and completes the curriculum’s requirements to the extent of 75% or studies full-time in the first semester;
whose family’s monthly income of last year per family member is below 762,50 euros;
submit an application on Haridusportaal.

Needs-based special allowance

A need-based special allowance can be applied for by a student (except a doctoral student).

who has received a negative decision on the application for a need-based study allowance because the monthly income of family members exceeded the established maximum limit (762,50 euros) per family member per month; and
who meets one of the following conditions:

a) whose family members’ income in the three months preceding the submission of the application for the special allowance does not exceed the maximum limit established for receipt of the allowance. The family’s average income is calculated on the basis of taxable (gross) income. A student is not eligible for the allowance if the income per family member exceeds 762,50 euros;

b) whose economic situation has worsened because of decreased work capability according to Eesti Töötukassa.

The student needs to follow the same procedure as described above and have received a negative decision on a need-based study allowance.

NB! for a need-based special allowance you need to provide documentation of your family members’ income over the last 3 months to the address piret.lehiste@eamt.ee.

The amount of the need-based special allowance is 135 euros per month.

Scholarship for students with special needs

The aim of the scholarship for students with special needs is to support students with special needs in higher education.

Students with special needs can apply for the scholarship from the first semester of the academic year of enrolment if:

1) they are an Estonian citizen or is staying in Estonia on the basis of a permanent or temporary residence permit,
2) they are a person with a moderate, severe or profound disability.

From 01.01.2025, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year (except July and August). Scholarship applications will be processed through the electronic application system.

For more information on the application process, please visit the website of the Education and Youth Board.

Doctoral allowance

The purpose of the doctoral allowance is to support doctoral students in obtaining a doctoral degree and defending their doctoral thesis during the standard study period, enabling them to focus on research, creative work and doctoral studies. The doctoral allowance is 660 euros per month.

Starting from the 2022 admissions, the doctoral allowance will not be paid to new doctoral students. Doctoral students who are accepted as junior researchers are paid monthly salary.

More scholarships:

The Estonian government and universities have initiated various scholarship schemes in order to support international students who are interested in studying in Estonia. Read more: Study in Estonia