Poland 2016/17 - student fees and grants

National student fee

Full-time students in public higher education institutions are charged tuition fees only if repeating a study course. Part-time students pay annual tuition fees of, on average, about PLN 4 700 set by higher education institutions. Each institution may provide exemptions and reductions.

All students pay a maximum fee of PLN 150 related to enrolment procedures once per study cycle. Students also pay administrative fees which include the issue of student ID cards, student record books and diplomas.

There is no short cycle programme in Poland.

Students from the EU and EFTA countries and other defined categories (e.g. students with refugee status) study according to the same rules as Polish citizens. Fees for other international students are decided by HEIs.

Student grants

Need-based grants are available for all students (both 1st and 2nd cycle and part-time) with a low personal/family income, and for students with disabilities. The income threshold to be eligible for need-based grants for students with low family income is decided by HEIs and is between PLN 668.20 and 1 043.90 per person per month. In 2014, 13.28 % of all students received a need-based grant based on their socio-economic situation and 1.64 % of all students received the need-based grants for students with disabilities. The average amount was PLN 4 674.28 per year.

Merit-based grants are allocated to the best-performing full-time and part-time students. The average amount of the merit-based grant is PLN 4 332.70 per year. 7.43 % of all students received such grants in 2014. The total monthly amount of the need- and merit-based grants may not be more than 90 % of the lowest basic pay of an assistant (the lowest academic position at higher education institutions) as regulated by legislation.

Loans

Loans of PLN 6 000/year may be taken out in any cycle by students whose personal income is below net PLN 2 500/month (in 2014/15). The state guarantees the entire loan for students with family income of PLN 600/month per person and 70 % for students with a family income of PLN 1 000/month. Students starting their studies before the age of 25 can apply for a loan which is granted for the period of study or maximum six years. Repayment begins two years after graduation. While receiving the loan and for the following two years interest is paid by the state budget, and later on interest rates are capped. The best-performing 5 % of graduates may obtain the cancellation of 20 % of their loan.

Tax benefit for student's parents

A tax relief of PLN 1 112.04 per child per year (2015) for parents/guardians of students up to 25 years of age available provided income did not exceed a specified level, and if the student did not earn a taxable income (including capital gains) exceeding PLN 3 089/year. There is no relief dedicated only to students.

Family allowances

Family allowances are based on low income of parents or disability of a student.