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 Slovenia, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes in 2023 was 80.08%. The initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 28% in 2022. That same year, the initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was measured at 3.39%.
Tuition-free status
Public universities are free in Slovenia. According to the 2025 Higher Education Act, tuition fees may not be charged to Slovenian citizens and EU citizens for education in accredited first-, second- and third-cycle study programmes provided as a public service. Tuition fees may apply in specific cases, such as part-time study, repeated enrolment at the same level of study, or where a student has already obtained a qualification at the same level.
Governance
Public higher education institutions are founded by the state and operate under institutional autonomy in accordance with the 2025 Higher Education Act. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation provides guidelines for the preparation of annual financial plans of public higher education institutions and reviews their annual financial reports. Public higher education institutions receive core funding from the basic pillar of funding and additional funding from the development pillar of funding, based on negotiated multiannual contracts. Investment in infrastructure and equipment is supported through the investment pillar of funding. The National Council for Higher Education acts as a supporting consultative body. The Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities is responsible for funding student housing and subsistence benefits, as well as for the Slovenian Human Resources Development and Scholarship Fund.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
There are no subnational funding mechanisms for higher education in Slovenia. Public higher education institutions are funded directly from the state budget through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and no regular transfers of funding are made through regional or local government levels.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
According to the 2025 Higher Education Act, the state may allocate public funding to private higher education institutions that have been granted a concession to provide study programmes as part of the public higher education service, in cases where public institutions do not provide sufficient study opportunities. The funds cover study activities and certain development and student-related extracurricular activities.
Allocation and equity
Higher education institutions may obtain funds from the founder, the state budget of the Republic of Slovenia, European Union funds, tuition fees, payments for goods and services, donations, and other sources.
According to the 2025 Higher Education Act, public higher education institutions are financed through the basic pillar of funding, the development pillar of funding and the investment pillar of funding, on the basis of negotiated multiannual contracts with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. The total public funding for higher education is defined by law as a share of GDP, while the annual allocation is determined through the state budget..
Funding from the state budget is defined by law as a share of GDP, with the total amount determined in the state budget. At least 1.0% of GDP is intended for the funding of study activities, while the remaining funds may be used for study-related activities, investment and maintenance, library activities, nationally important tasks, and other purposes defined by the Higher Education Act. Funds for study activities take into account the fields of study and the number of students enrolled, as well as nationally important study programmes.
According to the 2025 Higher Education Act, funding is provided through the basic, development and investment pillars of funding, on the basis of multiannual contracts between the ministry and public universities. These contracts define the scope of funding and the objectives to be achieved during the contract period. The level of funding may be adjusted depending on the achievement of agreed objectives.
The state also provides funding for measures aimed at ensuring equitable access to higher education, including subsidised student housing, student benefits and scholarships. Additional support is provided for specific categories of students, such as students with special needs, and through arrangements such as parallel study or time-adjusted study, which allow students to participate in higher education under adapted conditions..
Additional public funding may also support student-related extracurricular activities and other nationally important tasks, such as admission procedures, student support administration, language development and other activities carried out in the public interest..
The total amount of funding is determined by legislation and the state budget, while the Higher Education Master Plan defines development priorities for a specified period. As public universities are also research organisations, they obtain additional funding for research and innovation activities under the legislation governing scientific research and innovation activity, as well as from European research and innovation programmes.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Higher education institutions are autonomous in their approach to admission policies within the framework of national enrolment regulations. They may have measures wherein students with special needs have priority in the selection process for individual study programmes. They may also allocate up to 10% of places for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Slovenia provides state scholarship in accordance with the 2025 Scholarship Act to help students cover expenses during their education. Scholarships are awarded as a cash benefit which includes a basic scholarship and any additional allowances. To receive a state scholarship, the family household income of a recipient must be less than EUR 1,293.36 (as of March 2025). The basic scholarship amount depends on the household income and whether the recipient is over 18 years of age. The following additional allowances may be added to the base amount:
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Success Allowance- students who have achieved a minimum average of 4.0 receive a success allowance. The amount starts at EUR 21.39 and increases up to EUR 50.33 for those with grades above 9.0.
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Subsistence Allowance- EUR 100.64 is provided to students who live more than 25km from the place of education, who live in a place where the rental cost is at least EUR 65 per month, or if the student does not receive an accommodation subsidy.
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Special Needs- Scholarship holders with special needs are provided an additional EUR 62.90
The Centre for Social Work (CSD), which is part of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, is responsible for distributing state scholarships.
Students also have the opportunity to apply for the government-funded Zois scholarship, which is merit-based. Recipients must demonstrate at least one appropriate outstanding achievement and achieve the required academic performance. Higher education students may receive EUR 176.12 if they are studying domestically. They may receive additions of EUR 100.64 for accommodation and EUR 62.90 for students with special needs (amounts are as of March 2025). The Zois scholarship is compatible with the state scholarship.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
In accordance with the Higher Education Act, the state subsidizes transportation for students studying from their residence to the place of education through the system of subsidised public transport tickets regulated at the national level. The subsidy covers the purchase of subsidised tickets for public passenger transport, in accordance with the regulations governing subsidised transport for pupils and students.
In addition, young people under the age of 26 can apply for a range of discounts on travel organized by youth organizations and subsidized by the government.
Accommodation
The state government subsidizes student accommodation in public and private student residences and with private providers. The government considers the student’s social status, the distance between their residence and place of study, and their personal circumstances (e. g. health). Subsidies may also be provided to companions of disabled students, the student’s partner if they have a child, and to the child. The subsidy totals at least 20% of the average monthly cost of accommodation and may be granted for up to 12 months per year.
Higher education students are also entitled to subsidized student meals. Beneficiaries are entitled to one subsidized student meal per day. Students with special needs and students who are parents are entitled to ten additional meals per month. For the 2023/24 academic year, the subsidy was EUR 3.86 a meal.
Textbooks
No information was found.
This profile has been reviewed by Jernej Širok with the support of the UNESCO Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Slovenia.
