Educational Grants: Can Applicants Who Decline State-funded Places Still Obtain Financial Support?
Currently, Ukraine is in the midst of its higher education enrollment campaign, which places a significant emphasis on financial support opportunities and access to free education. For the fourth consecutive year, the admission process has shifted to rely on the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) instead of the traditional External Independent Evaluation (EIE). Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykhailo Vynnytskyi explained whether applicants who refuse free state-funded places can still qualify for grants. He clarified that applicants who are recommended for a budget-funded spot but fail to meet the necessary enrollment requirements within designated deadlines and subsequently choose to enroll on a contractual basis will not be eligible for state grants. This underscores the importance for prospective students to be highly attentive and responsible when prioritizing their applications, as declining an allocated budget place—despite high scores on NMT or EIT—automatically disqualifies them from grant eligibility. This new policy aims to prevent abuses and ensure a fair distribution of free places. According to Vynnytskyi, the government offers support only once—either a free place through the state budget or a contractual place with a grant. Consequently, even high test scores will not facilitate grant access if a student refuses a budget seat. This policy change stems from the fact that in 2024, over 7,000 applicants recommended for budget places refused them. With over 312,000 graduates registering for the main NMT session in 2025, this approach highlights both the high demand for higher education in Ukraine and the importance of making careful choices regarding funding options.