News is spreading online that all Ukrainian students can get a scholarship of 400 euros per month, even if they study at private universities. This sounds like a perfect chance to cover living costs in Slovakia. However, the reality and the rules from the Ministry of Education are much stricter. The biggest problem with this program is that the deadline to apply on the portal is in three days, and only a very small group of Ukrainians can actually receive the money.
Who can actually get 400 euros
The program called Študujem doma, Slovensko ma odmení does pay out 4,000 euros per year (400 euros for 10 school months). It is meant to keep talented young people in the country. However, this is an internal Slovak program, and there is a big barrier for Ukrainian migrants in it.
According to the official rules, only this year's high school graduates who successfully passed their Slovak final exams (maturita) in the 2025/2026 school year can apply for a bachelor's degree. If you finished a Ukrainian school, online or in person, or are already studying in your first or second year of university, this program is not for you. Having a Slovak document for completed secondary education is an absolute requirement for new applicants.
For master's degrees, funding is only available to those who have already participated in this scholarship program before. For example, if you started receiving payments during your bachelor's studies three years ago and are now moving to the next level. It is not possible to get a scholarship in later years just for having good grades.
No private universities and non-strategic fields
The official conditions clearly limit the sources of funding: your university must be exclusively state-run (štátne) or public (verejné). Private universities are not allowed to receive these budget funds at all.
Furthermore, the Slovak government does not fund studies in just any field. The scholarship is strictly tied to a list of strategic priorities for the country, known as RIS3. The state gives money to students who choose to study medicine, engineering, information technology, pedagogy, agriculture, or natural sciences. If you choose fields popular among Ukrainians like management, marketing, law, or political science, your application will not be approved.
When the money arrives and what causes it to be canceled
Even if you perfectly meet all the criteria and pass the selection process, do not expect the first payment in September. Due to the long document verification by universities, contracts are often signed closer to winter. Usually, the first payment happens in January 2027. In this case, students receive the total accumulated amount for the autumn months in one payment, and then the payments become monthly.
An important detail concerns attendance. If a student stops attending classes without a valid medical or personal reason, or takes an academic leave for more than 180 days, the payments are permanently canceled. The money is given for the actual learning process, not just for your name being on the enrollment lists.
What to do for graduates of Slovak schools
If you are a graduate of a Slovak gymnasium or secondary vocational school this year, have the status of dočasné útočisko (temporary protection), and are enrolling in an engineering or medical field, you have a good chance of receiving these funds.
Check if your intended field of study is on the RIS3 list on the Ministry of Education website.
Gather all diplomas from school olympiads, sports competitions, or certificates of volunteer work. The system selects candidates based on a point scale, where each official achievement increases your position in the overall ranking.
Fill out the electronic application on the stipendia.portalvs.sk portal.
Remember the time: the deadline for submitting documents is July 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM. After this time, the system will lock, and it will be impossible to add documents or correct mistakes.
Alternative for foreigners: 500 euros per month
What should Ukrainians do who are coming to Slovakia after finishing Ukrainian school with a regular certificate? For international students, there is a separate parallel scheme that offers even greater financial support – 500 euros per month. The maximum amount for three years of bachelor's studies here is 15,000 euros.
However, this program has its own obstacle. The key and only selection criterion is having results from the international SAT test with a score of at least 1100 points. This exam tests reading, writing, and math skills in English. Regular school grades from a Ukrainian certificate are not considered by the committee. The deadline for this international program is longer and lasts until July 31, 2026.
Before you count on financial help when moving, be sure to read the original sources. Bureaucratic document requirements never forgive mistakes, and posts on social media often lack key details.
