Financing for equity in higher education

1. Education resources to subnational governments

Introduction

Key financing indicators (UIS Data)

According to UIS data, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education in 2024 was 20.43% for both sexes. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita in 2023 was 22.34%. Data on initial household funding per tertiary student are unavailable.

Tuition-free status

Public tertiary education in Turkmenistan is not universally tuition-free. Students admitted to study at the expense of the State Budget are exempt from tuition fees and receive state scholarships. Other students may enrolenroll on a fee-paying basis under contractual arrangements.

Governance

The Ministry of Education is responsible for allocating, managing, and overseeing funding for public higher education institutions. This role is performed in coordination with the Cabinet of Ministers and other relevant ministries and departmental bodies, in accordance with the 2021 Regulations on State Institutions of Higher Professional Education.

1. Education resources to subnational governments

No mechanisms exist for transferring higher education funds from the central government to local governments with equity considerations, reflecting the highly centralised financing structure.

2. Education resources to institutions

Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions

There is no legal provisions for government funding of private universities.

Allocation and equity

Government subsidies for public higher education institutions are allocated directly from the State Budget. Allocation criteria include student numbers, programme content, teaching technologies, and the provision of safe and inclusive learning conditions. Consideration of “special conditions for students with disabilities due to health reasons” introduces an equity element into the funding framework.

3. Education resources to students

Admission for vulnerable groups

According to the Regulations on State Institutions of Higher Professional Education of 2021, specific admission provisions exist for vulnerable groups, including orphans, children under guardianship, persons with disabilities (Groups I–III), children of deceased servicemen, and children from large families. These groups benefit from automatic or preferential admission to higher education institutions. Students admitted at the expense of the State Budget receive scholarships, and orphans and children under guardianship are fully supported by the state until age 24.

Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups

State-funded students receive scholarships, and orphans and children under guardianship receive full coverage of education and living costs until age 24. State educational loans are available, and targeted training contracts may include scholarships for students from sparsely populated or remote areas. No separate grant or loan schemes exist specifically for other vulnerable groups.