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Scholarships for Students in Poland – Types, Applications and Financial Aid

What Scholarships Can a Student Receive? Types of Support at University

The cost of living in university cities can be a heavy burden on your wallet. Fortunately, the higher education system in Poland offers an extensive financial support programme. Student scholarships are non-repayable financial aid paid monthly (usually for 9 months of the academic year), which helps cover living costs, accommodation, or the purchase of study materials.

Whether you have excellent marks or your family is in a more difficult financial situation, you have a real chance of getting extra money.

The four main scholarships from the university’s welfare fund:

• The Rector’s Scholarship (stypendium rektora) – awarded for a high grade point average from the previous academic year, or for outstanding scientific, artistic, or sporting achievements.
• The Social Scholarship (stypendium socjalne) – dedicated to students in a difficult financial situation, whose income per family member does not exceed the statutory threshold.
• Scholarship for People with Disabilities – awarded on the basis of a current disability certificate, regardless of household income.
• Emergency Grant (zapomoga) – a one-off financial payment for a student who, due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., the death of a relative, severe illness, a fire), temporarily finds themselves in a difficult life situation.

How to apply for a student scholarship and increase your chances?

The process of applying for financial aid usually kicks off at the beginning of the academic year (in October). To ensure that a social or merit-based scholarship lands in your account, you must take care of the paperwork at your university’s Student Welfare Section (Sekcja Pomocy Materialnej) or dean’s office.

1. Submit the application through the electronic system (e.g. USOS) – most universities require you to fill out an online form first, and then print and sign it.
2. Gather income documents (for the social scholarship) – this is the most demanding step. You will need statements from the tax office (urząd skarbowy) confirming the income of all family members for the previous year.
3. Keep an eye on application deadlines – being late with your application by even a single day means losing your chance at funding for the entire semester or year!

An important tip: Scholarships can be combined! Nothing stands in the way of an ambitious student receiving both the rector’s scholarship for their marks and a social scholarship based on their income at the same time. The combined total of such support can even amount to several thousand zlotys a month, completely covering the cost of living in a new city.

External and ministerial scholarships

Beyond the university, it is well worth looking for external support. The Ministry of Science awards prestigious scholarships for significant scientific achievements. Additionally, many cities (mayor’s scholarships / stypendia prezydenta miasta) and private foundations run their own scholarship programmes for talented students from the region.