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)
According to UIS, in 2024, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education in Lithuania was 75.6%, a drop from a high of 89.25% in 2009. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 19% in 2022. The initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 2.6% in 2022.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education is not tuition-free in Lithuania, with tuition fees varying by institution and programme.
Students who study at state-funded, state higher education institutions do not pay the institution any fees directly related to the implementation of the study programme. Anyone who has been enrolled in a student place not funded by the state, must personally cover the cost of the tuition fees, as determined by the higher education institution.
Students can retrospectively apply for a state-funded student place once they have been awarded their first higher education degree.
Governance
Funding for higher education and research is organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport. Public universities are not free in Lithuania. However, students can be admitted into state-funded study programmes administered by the Lithuanian Higher Institutions Association for Organising Joint Admission.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
There are no funding mechanisms for transferring resources from the central government to local governments for public higher education. Institutions are funded directly by the central government.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
In 2012, the government approved the procedure for allocation of state budgetary funds for non-state higher education Institutions. State funding may be provided to the students of private higher education institution if some programmes cannot be run in a state-run higher education institution due to objective circumstances. If the cost of studies in a private higher education institution exceeds the standard cost of studies established by the state, the student is required to cover the difference.
Allocation and equity
According to the 2009 Law on Higher Education and Research, funds for higher education and research institutions may come from the following sources:
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The state, through budget financing, appropriations, and investment programmes
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Income received as tuition fees and income received from research activities and services rendered.
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Competitive funding of research programmes
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Donations
Funds from the basic state finance budget are allocated to higher education and research institutions based on evaluations of the institution. Additional funding may be targeted to encourage specific but unpopular study programmes.
The state budget covers the cost of studies for state-funded students. There is no funding specifically provided to support equity for certain groups of students.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Admission to state-funded study programmes is organised centrally and administered by the Lithuanian Higher Institutions Association for Organising Joint Admission (LAMA BPO). To get enrolled into different study fields or areas, school leavers, are ranked based on the results of the Matura examinations. There are no equitable admission policies for certain populations.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
The State Studies Foundation is responsible for administering state loans and student loans as well as any other financial assistance to students.
Article 74 of the Law on Higher Education and Research states that students may get state loans to pay the tuition fee and for living expenses. According to Article 25, students may be granted social, incentive, and study scholarships.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sport announces a preliminary number of state-funded students for each study area or study field. Students who study at state-funded, state higher education institutions do not have to pay the institution any fees directly related to the implementation of the study programme.
Students can apply state state-funded loans and scholarships towards their living costs.
There are several additional support measures available for specific populations of students.
The Social Scholarship provides students who receive social allowance, have a disability, or are orphans. Students receive 6.1 basic social benefit (BSB) each month, which in 2025 amounts to EUR 455.
Dedicated Benefits are provided to students with disabilities. Benefits amount to 4 BSB per month, or EUR 280 for 2025. These same students can apply for financial aid to cover individual needs and study costs.
Financial support for students with disabilities is regulated by the Procedure for Providing Financial Support to Disabled Students Seeking Higher Education. It sets out the financial aid measures and amounts available to people with disabilities studying at higher education institutions, the conditions for awarding, granting and terminating these measures, the procedures for financing the financial aid measures and any reporting on the use of the funds received. The financial support is administered by the Department for the Affairs of the Disabled under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No information was found.
Accommodation
Besides loans for the payment of tuition fees, state-supported loans include loans for living expenses. Within one year of studies, the size of this loan cannot exceed 3,920 EUR a year.
Textbooks
No information was found.
