Education and Science, Estonia, Financial Services, Legislation

The support is meant for students up to the age of 26 whose average income per family member is below relative poverty line (currently below 280 EUR a month) and who fulfil the study plan in full volume.

The needs-based study support is planned to be 135 euros a month, which is around a half of the minimum wage.

A student is considered a member of his/her parents family till the age of 26 if the student has not gotten married or had a child.

The new support is meant for students who start their studies from the 2013/2014 academic year.

Currently only the most successful students are paid study grants; students have a possibility to take student loans and work part time.

The Estonian Riigikogu recently approved of the higher education reform law that provides free education to the students who fulfil the study plan fully while others have to pay for a part of their studies, if the university decides so. So far many students have said they have to work during studies to support themselves and thus they cannot fulfil the study plan as fast as prescribed.