The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES) has confirmed that the mechanism of state grants for contract students will be preserved in the 2026–2027 academic year. However, the final approval of the mechanism is not yet complete — the ministry is considering two possible scenarios for its implementation.
Two paths to preserving grants
According to information obtained by RBC-Ukraine from the MES, if draft law No. 10399 does not come into force before the start of the new academic year, the necessary decisions will be made at the level of a Cabinet of Ministers resolution. This guarantees that applicants will continue to have access to state financial support when enrolling on a contract basis.
Important: students who are already receiving grants in the current or previous academic years will not lose this support. Their funding will be preserved provided they meet the requirements that were in effect at the time of their enrollment.
Who can receive a grant and under what conditions
The state grant is available to applicants with high or above-average results in the National Multisubject Testing (NMT) who are enrolling on a contract basis. This is non-repayable targeted assistance that can partially or fully cover the cost of tuition.
In 2025, the base grant amounts were 17,000 and 25,000 hryvnias. The final amount depends on the chosen specialty and the region where the university is located. Priority is given to fields where there is an acute shortage of personnel: education, engineering, natural sciences, the agrarian sector, rehabilitation, and medicine.
What happens in case of transfer or change of specialty
If a student transfers to another educational institution but retains their specialty, the grant remains in force. However, if the educational program is changed, support may be reviewed or cancelled if the new program does not meet the criteria for grant provision.
Refusing a recommended budget place deprives the applicant of the right to receive a grant. Support is intended exclusively for those who choose the contract form of study and meet all conditions established by the state.
Why this is important
Preserving the grant mechanism is a key element of the accessibility of higher education in conditions where budget places are limited. For thousands of applicants, this is an opportunity to receive a quality education without the need to take out loans or work while studying. The MES emphasizes that the system will be adapted to the needs of the labor market and the strategic priorities of the country.
Previously, RBC-Ukraine published detailed conditions for obtaining grants in the 2025–2026 academic year. Now the focus is shifting to the next stage — ensuring the stability of the system in 2026–2027, even in the absence of final legislative consolidation.
