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)
In 2023, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 76.88%. In 2022, the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 25.91% and the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 2.31%.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education is tuition-free for Polish citizens according to the 2018 National Law on Higher Education. Certain other categories of students are also entitled to this free education, such as foreigners with temporary protection in Poland, permanent residents and EU citizens.
Governance
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW) is responsible for overseeing universities, research institutions and scientific policy. This body was split from the Ministry of Education by decree in 2023. It is responsible for allocating and administering funding to research and higher education according to the 2018 National Law on Higher Education. According to the same law, private higher education institutions must have authorisation from the MNiSW and governance arrangements that comply with national standards set by the ministry.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Higher Education institutions are funded directly by the central government; however, regional and local governments often partner with Higher Education institutions on specific projects such as scientific development, infrastructure building and AI development. Some projects have an explicit equity focus, such as programmes countering discrimination and combating poverty at Lodz University. At a regional level, funding is generally in partnership with EU structural funds, which, in addition to economic growth, have an explicit focus on "social goals" and increased levels of funding for less developed regions in Poland relative to more developed regions.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Private universities are expected to secure their own funding; however, they are entitled to apply for grants and funding to support student aid in the same way as public providers. There were no programmes found regarding links to funding in the absence of public institutions.
Allocation and equity
Core subsidies to higher education institutions are allocated according to an algorithm defined in the 2018 Law on Higher Education. This funding is to support the teaching and research activities of the institutions and is based on a set of criteria covering student and staff numbers, internationalisation and research activity. Equity considerations are not a direct part of this algorithm.
Higher education institutions are awarded further subsidies for disabled and special needs students, which are determined by an algorithm and generally proportional to the size of the institution and the needs addressed. In 2025 they ranged from PLN 2,851,100 to the University of Warsaw to PLN 4,500 to the private Nicolas Copernicus School.
Higher education institutions are also entitled to apply directly for grants from National and Regional Governments for specific purposes related to the provision of education, some of which have equity considerations.
The Programme Dostępność Plus, administered by the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, began in 2018 and is largely financed by the EU. It allows all institutions to apply for funding to support disabled access. In education, its projects include training of staff, adaptation of curricula and grants to improve physical infrastructure.
NGOs affiliated with the universities, such as charitable funds or student organisations, are also entitled to apply for certain grants. In 2023, PLN 6,000,000 was distributed by the Ministry for Education for campus projects, which covered scientific, environmental and communication activities, but also related to the integration of foreign students and those with special needs. In 2025, focus was on mental health, reducing drop out and preventing unequal treatment. PLN 4,800,000 was awarded to 49 grant applicants.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
The Higher Education Law of 2018 states that Universities must create “conditions for people with disabilities to fully participate in the admission process”. In practice, Universities grant adjusted admissions procedures upon request, such as adjusting exam formats.
Refugees and those entitled to temporary protection can apply to Polish Higher Education under the same conditions as Polish citizens, with algorithmic funding following them in the same way as Polish citizens. In 2022, the Law on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine allowed for Ukrainian citizens to have special consideration of entry requirements (article 45) and recourse to free education (article 41) from a dedicated fund.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
According to the 2018 Law on Higher Education and the 2003 Law on Family Benefits, students are entitled to apply for social scholarships, scholarships for disabilities, rector’s scholarships and financial aid. Funding is distributed to the universities and decided by the Ministry for Science and Higher Education.
Universities are given funding to offer “Rector’s Scholarships”, which are competitive but available to all students on the basis of merit or outstanding achievement. Similar merit-based Ministerial Scholarships and Scholarships from Local Government are also available. Local Government scholarships often have EU funding and an equity component, such as those from the Marshal of Wielkopolski Region, which are only available for students who have a low income.
A "Social Scholarship” may be given to students in a “difficult financial situation”, whose monthly income per person in the family does not exceed 45% of the minimum wage for work. The amount varies depending on the institution and the income level of the student. Increased benefits can be given to those who have further difficult circumstances, such as caring responsibilities or studying distant from home.
“Scholarships for Students with Disabilities” are awarded based on the classification of a doctor and are allocated independent of the income of student. As with the social scholarships, the amount allocated to the student varies by institution and severity of disability, e.g. at Poznan Polytechnic in 2025, funding levels are set at PLN 900/1050/1300 per month.
Students can apply for “financial aid” (Zapomogę), which are one- off payment due to difficult life circumstances, such as illness, bereavement, disability or disaster. These payments are regulated by the University’s own policies. For example, in 2025 at the Polytechnic of Wroclaw, payments are limited to 4 times the amount of the standard monthly social scholarship.
Other scholarships exist in partnership with non-governmental actors such as the Bridge Scholarship for rural students and the Roma scholarship funded principally by the Ministry of Interior and Administration. These are typically small-scale; the Bridge Scholarship served 367 first-year students in 2025, and the Roma scholarship served only 42 students in 2019.
Young people are entitled to apply for a student loan if they are under 30, or under 35 in the case of a doctoral student. Their family income per person must not exceed PLN 4000. The amount of the loan is between PLN 400-1000, chosen by the student. Accredited banks are permitted to administer these loans, according to a cooperation agreement with the government, where the Polish National Development Bank acts as guarantor using the Student Loan Fund. Repayment conditions are favourable, interest rates are set at half the national benchmark interest rate, and the loan will start to be repaid two years after graduation; however, only around 1000 students applied in 2023, and the number has declined in recent years.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
According to the 1992 Transport Act, consolidated in 2018, students up to the age of 26 are entitled to statutory reduction in fees. Funding for this is allocated by the Ministry of Infrastructure, and distributed at the national level to rail providers and at the local level to bus providers. The rates of concessions are decided by the ministerial regulations; in 2025, this was set at 51% for rail fares. Disabled people, carers, and parents of large families are also entitled to further discounted travel. Local municipalities also provide large discounts, typically 50%, to students; however, they are not covered by the same act.
Accommodation
According to the 2018 Higher Education Law, part of the funding allocated by the Ministry of Higher Education is earmarked for student welfare infrastructure. This allows the provision of subsidised dormitories below market rates available to all students.
The Ministry of Higher Education also provides grants to fund student welfare, such as a 2024 grant of PLN 150,000,000 to renovate dormitory accommodation. Individual university policies generally prioritise those in difficult situations for access to these subsidised dormitories, such as at Silesian University of Technology.
Textbooks
No programmes were found specifically focusing on the provision of textbooks.
This profile has been reviewed by Agnieszka Kopańska of the University of Warsaw.
