Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 78.27 in 2023. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 6.10 in 2021. Data on the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita is not available from UIS.
Tuition-free status
In Georgia, public tertiary education has historically not been tuition-free according to national laws and policies; the 2004 Law of Georgia on Higher Education allows universities to collect tuition fees. However, Georgia’s higher education system is undergoing a reform aimed at improving quality, modernizing funding arrangements and aligning provision with national development priorities. As set out in the National Concept for Reforming the Higher Education System, students enrolled in public universities are expected to have their tuition fully financed by the state. Students at private higher education institutions are expected to continue covering tuition costs through private resources or other funding mechanisms. The state has announced plans to provide tuition-free access to public universities from the 2026-2027 school year.
Governance
Higher education governance involves several state bodies. The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth leads higher education policy, determines budget needs, and manages state grants and programmes. The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, a legal entity under this ministry, is responsible for external quality assurance, including authorization of institutions, accreditation of programmes, and recognition and verification of educational documents. The Ministry of Finance prepares the state budget, allocates appropriations to the education ministry, and oversees budget execution, while decisions on state‑owned higher education property are coordinated with the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and line ministries oversee specialized institutions in fields such as culture and defense.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Public higher education is centrally financed, with funds flowing directly from the state budget to higher education institutions.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
At the institutional level, private universities in Georgia do not receive direct public funding. Historically, public funding has reached private providers indirectly through a system of portable state grants and scholarships, which eligible students could use at both accredited public and private institutions. Under the higher education financing reform scheduled to take effect from the 2026 academic year, new first-year students enrolling in private universities will no longer be eligible for state grants; the state will provide state funding to public university students only.
Allocation and equity
Public higher education institutions are funded predominantly through centrally managed student-based state educational grants and targeted programme financing, rather than through institution-level block grants. These grants are allocated to institutions according to the number of eligible students they enroll and the study programmes they offer in government-defined priority fields.
Equity objectives are addressed mainly through specific grant schemes that provide additional or full funding for groups, including students from conflict-affected regions and socially disadvantaged students, with the corresponding public resources flowing directly to the higher education institutions where these students enroll.
As part of the ongoing higher education reform, all students enrolled in state universities will have their tuition fully funded by the state, with the aim of reducing financial barriers, expanding participation and promoting more equitable access across social and regional groups.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Georgia has several specific admission and financing arrangements for vulnerable groups in higher education. Applicants from the occupied regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali or South Ossetia region can be admitted to Georgian universities through simplified procedures, including enrollment without Unified National Examinations or via the 1+4 preparatory language programme, and they are eligible for full state funding and scholarships within an annual quota of places. Students who completed schooling in non Georgian languages can access higher education through the Georgian Language Preparatory Educational Programme, which combines a preferential admission track with a funded preparatory year to support their transition to Georgian language bachelor programmes.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia offers scholarship support for higher education primarily through students’ performance once they are enrolled at the universities. Scholarship rules, eligibility criteria and award levels are set in university regulations issued by the relevant administration and faculty.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth also operates a number targeted schemes that pursue equity objectives by providing grants to students from specific vulnerable groups. Eligibility criteria and award levels are set in national regulations issued by the ministry.
Currently no government-operated student loan programme operates in Georgia.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
Support for student transportation is provided through the national student discount programme, “Make Your Life Easier,” an initiative launched by the President of Georgia and overseen by MoESY. The programme enables students from accredited higher education institutions to access discounted public transportation, including railways, subways, and buses. Cards also provide benefits across health care, cultural venues, and recreational services.
Accommodation
No information was found on specific programmes that support students with accommodation costs. However, student accommodation and related services are identified in the Higher Education Reform Concept as a key challenge, with plans to modernize and expand dormitory infrastructure in Tbilisi, Rustavi and Kutaisi.
Textbooks
No information was found on support for textbook purchases.
This profile was reviewed by Mariam Keburia, Deputy Head of the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia.
