Scholarships and grants in Poland for foreign students are presented in a fairly wide variety. Talented young people who have mastered the language of this country, and even more so have a number of awards for academic success, can apply for free higher education in order to build a successful professional career. Even cash payments are made from the university. All this is possible thanks to the priorities adopted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland aimed at the implementation of transparent and effective student support.
What is the Difference Between Scholarship Program and Grant
Scholarship programs usually provide for the payment of funds for academic success. The amount of monthly scholarships depends on the merit of a particular student and his talent. But one way or another, this financial assistance only partially covers the cost of training.
Another type of financial support - grants - is usually provided by private and state funds on a competitive and gratuitous basis in the form of a lump sum. The amount of funds received in this way, as a rule, is sufficient to fully cover the costs of studying at a university.
There are more than 10 types of scholarships and grants for foreign students in Poland.
Such material assistance can be divided into the following types:
- social benefit;
- scholarship for achievements in the learning process and in sports;
- other scholarships.
It is almost impossible to receive more than 1 type of benefits per month. It is available only to low-income citizens and persons with disabilities.
Documents Required for a Scholarship / Grant
Scholarships are provided in Poland for Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians after submitting a basic package to the consulate of this country, which includes:
- Education document. Its compliance must be confirmed at the Polish consulate or a notarized translation into Polish must be provided.
- Passport - original and copy.
- Medical certificate translated into Polish. There is no special form, only a therapist can sign the paper.
- A copy of an insurance policy from the National Health Foundation (NFZ).
- Photos 35 × 45 mm - 3 pcs.
- Language certificates.
- Document confirming payment for the 1st semester.
A student who is not a citizen of one of the countries of the European Union must apply for a student visa.
This requirement also applies to Ukrainians: in order to stay in Poland throughout the academic year, a visa-free regime in the 90/180 format is not enough. To obtain a student visa, the above package must be supplemented with the following papers:
- the original and a copy of the document confirming the fact of enrollment in the university;
- confirmation of payment for tuition for the period during which the requested visa will be valid;
- a certificate confirming the financial viability of the student (a letter from a sponsor, a bank statement, etc.)
For prospective freshmen, the first visa is issued for one year.
Features of the free student program Study tours to Poland
Study tours to Poland project is a 12-day trip of students from Russia, Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine, during which young people will be able to attend cultural events, seminars, lectures, meet with representatives of public organizations and the academic community, as well as get to know their peers in Poland.
Motivated and active students who meet the following requirements are invited to participate in the program:
- citizenship of one of the above countries;
- age - 18-21 years old;
- studying in Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine. As for the Russian Federation, applicants for a trip must study at universities in Moscow, St. Petersburg or Novgorod, Moscow, Kaliningrad, Leningrad and Voronezh regions;
- not previously participated in this program.
The organizers cover the costs of food and accommodation during the period of students' stay in Poland. Participants must purchase health insurance at their own expense and cover a portion of the travel costs. Read more about the program on the website.
Erasmus + Academic Exchange Program
In 2021, within the framework of this program, more than 10 different instruments are used with the aim of reforming and modernizing the higher education system, developing the internationalization of universities, entrepreneurial and innovative activities of youth. This project is designed for 7 years - from 2021 to 2021. It provides for the implementation of the mobility of teachers and students. One of the key areas at Erasmus + is the development of European studies.
If we continue the conversation about mobility, then for students this is an opportunity for an internship or study at a foreign partner university for a duration of 3 months to 1 year. The amount of the scholarship in this case is € 750-850 per month. In addition, partial reimbursement of travel costs is provided. This program operates in most Polish universities (www.erasmusplusinrussia.ru).
Free training program Teraz Wrocław
This project is designed for those who want to get higher education at a university in Wroclaw. Young people who do not have a Pole card and are citizens of one of the following post-Soviet states can become a participant in the program:
- Azerbaijan,
- Kazakhstan,
- Uzbekistan,
- Georgia,
- Moldova,
- Russia,
- Ukraine,
- Belarus.
The number of free places available is determined by each university annually. To form a list of students exempted from tuition fees, admissions committees hold a competition, taking into account:
- the average grade of the school certificate;
- the level of knowledge of the Polish language;
- assessments in those subjects that are included in the group of profile ones in the chosen specialty;
- motivation to learn.
Note that the average tuition fee at universities in Wroclaw can reach € 1,800 per year. But Teraz Wrocław student members do not need to process tuition fees. For more information on the terms of the program, please visit study-in-wroclaw.pl/ru.
Scholarship Program. Lane Kirkland for Ukrainian citizens
This project is focused on journalists, representatives of non-profit organizations, young politicians and, in general, people interested in the further development of civil society, institutions of democracy and economy in their countries. Duration of study is 2 semesters, thanks to which you can get postgraduate education at one of the universities in Poland. At the end of the theoretical studies, an internship is carried out for 2-4 weeks in a private or public institution.
The amount of the monthly scholarship that the participant receives is 1800 PLN. The organizers guarantee reimbursement of all visa and RP costs, as well as accommodation and insurance. In addition, the scholarship holders are provided with the literature necessary for training.
Applicants for the Lane Kirkland Scholarship have a number of specific requirements: a higher education diploma, work experience and knowledge of the Polish language at a level sufficient for free learning and writing scientific and research papers. More details can be found on the website www.kirkland.edu.pl.
Features of the scholarship program. Konstantin Kalinovsky
The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity to complete their studies in RP for students expelled from universities in Belarus for political reasons. The conditions for participation in the project are as follows:
- Knowledge of Polish is optional. Its study is carried out as part of the preparatory courses.
- Studying in Poland under the Kalinowski program provides for the payment of a scholarship - 1240 zł / month. The scholarship is awarded 10 months a year. However, if documents are provided showing that the scholarship holder cannot return to Belarus due to the initiation of a criminal case against him for political reasons, the scholarship is paid for 12 months.
- The maximum duration of study is 5 years. The actual period of study depends on which course the student will be enrolled in.
- The scholarship holder is obliged to pay at his own expense an application for a residence permit (PLN 400) and medical insurance (PLN 36 per month).
Educational institutions offer accommodation in a hostel on a paid basis.
Gaude Polonia grant for the implementation of cultural projects in Poland
This program is designed for six months. She may be of interest to translators, art historians, musicians, writers and artists. Applications for participation are accepted primarily from citizens of Ukraine and Belarus, as well as from the states of Central and Eastern Europe.
The monthly stipend (including taxes) for the Gaude Polonia program is PLN 3,500. In addition, the host provides the participants with housing.
The following requirements are imposed on applicants:
- Higher education.
- Knowledge of Polish, at least at an elementary level.
- Applicants under the age of 40 have priority. In some cases, applications from 45-year-old foreigners may be considered.
To participate in the project, you must submit:
- completed application form;
- portfolio;
- at least 2 letters of recommendation from experts known in the chosen industry.
The work of each participant will be supervised by a highly professional curator. He will assist in the implementation of the project. More information about the program can be found on the website www.nck.pl.
Other scholarship programs
In addition to the above, there are other scholarship programs for foreigners in Poland. Some of them are shown in the following table.
| Name | Scholarship size | Short description |
|---|---|---|
| Polish government scholarship program | 1350 PLN / month | It is aimed at students from Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, the states of the Caucasus and Central Asia. The duration of study at a Polish university is 1 year. |
| Visegrad scholarship program | € 2500 per semester | Aimed at providing financial assistance, simplifying the procedure for the academic exchange of young scientists and students from the states of the Visegrad Group and neighboring countries. Students who have studied at universities in other countries for at least 4 semesters can become participants. The maximum period for payment of the scholarship is 4 semesters (20 months). |
| Stefan Banach Scholarship Program | 1350 PLN / month | Students from the Eastern Partnership countries can receive the scholarship. In the summer, before the start of studies, Polish language courses are held, which are paid by the host. During the period of study, students undergo a short-term internship on the territory of the RP. |
| Stanislav Grabsky Scholarship | 1500 PLN / month | The applicant's country of origin is one of the republics of the former USSR. The program is financed by the National Bank of Poland. The host pays the costs of the Polish language courses, as well as the events organized for the project participants. |
| Krzysztof Skubiszewski Scholarship Program | PLN 28,940 for the entire internship period | The program is implemented in the form of an internship in the field of law and political science at one of the universities in Poland. Its main goal is to strengthen the foundations of the rule of law and democracy. Requirements for applicants: a voluminous portfolio, a scientific degree - a doctor or active work in the development of the common good and democracy. The duration of the internship is 9 months. |
| Thesaurus Poloniae Scholarship Program | 3500 PLN / month for the Senior subroutine; 2500 PLN / month by the Junior subroutine. Plus a one-time grant in the amount of PLN 1,500 for the purchase of scientific literature. | The program is designed for foreign scientists engaged in research in the field of cultural heritage and history of Central Europe and Poland as well. Subdivided into subroutines: Junior - for young doctoral students; Senior - for professors and teachers with a doctorate degree. In addition to the application, it is necessary to send a resume and recommendations of 2 scientific advisers (for the Junior subprogram). You will also need an essay on the main lines of research planned for this program. |
Conclusion
So, in Poland, there are many programs aimed not only at secondary school graduates who plan to continue their studies at a university. Here, opportunities are provided that will interest graduate students, masters, bachelors and young professionals seeking to gain experience and new knowledge in one of the EU countries. The main thing is to track trends and timely study the conditions of the grants and scholarship programs that have appeared. In addition, it is important to take into account that each Polish university has its own rules and restrictions. Therefore, before making the final choice of a university, you should visit the websites of educational institutions and compare the requirements for foreigners.
