Students from families in need will receive 25,000 lekë per month, up from the 10,000 lekë they currently receive. The increase in scholarships has been planned in the 2027 draft budget for education, and financial support will also continue for the first time during Master’s studies.
Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro presented the 2027 draft budget today to the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Sports, where higher education receives an additional 1.25 billion lekë, the largest increase in value within the ministry’s budget.
According to Kumbaro, the additional funds will be used mainly to support students, through increased scholarships and a rent or supplementary bonus on the monthly payment, which beneficiaries can use according to their needs.
“Responding to the demands of the universities themselves, with which we have been in very close communication throughout the year, including in the context of the review of the law on higher education, as well as listening to the voice of students, we have decided to increase the budget for the higher education item”, the minister said.
The new financial support package is expected to benefit over 11,500 students. Of these, 5,900 students from families in need will receive 25,000 lekë per month each, while 5,500 students with an average grade of 9–10 will receive 10,000 lekë.
Meanwhile, 177 students following programs of national priority will receive 50,000 lekë per month. For the first time, financial support for students in these programs will extend to the Master’s cycle as well. The scholarship for students from families in need will also continue during Master’s studies.
Part of the budget will also go to improving conditions in student dormitories. For this purpose, 375 million lekë, or about 4 million euros, has been allocated to support the accommodation of 7,000 to 7,500 students.
According to the minister, together with revenue from accommodation fees and contributions from municipalities, total funding for the dormitories will reach about 900 million lekë per year, or 9.5 million euros.
These funds, Kumbaro said, aim to improve the living conditions of students in the dormitories of Tirana, Kamza, Vlora, Korça, Shkodra, Elbasan and Gjirokastra.