FOR STUDENTS

HEALTH INSURANCE

Students are compulsorily covered by health insurance as family members if they do not meet the conditions for insurance on another basis (e.g., through employment, registered self-employment, or status as a company partner or executive), but only up to the end of the school or academic year in which they turn 26.

As family members – children, students have all healthcare services fully covered under compulsory health insurance, which means they do not need supplementary health insurance. The student status information is obtained by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS) directly from the eVŠ information system, where it is reported by higher education institutions.

All details are available on the website of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships for students differ in terms of their purpose, eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and associated obligations. Most scholarships are awarded by the state. However, students may also apply for company-sponsored scholarships offered by employers or municipal scholarships provided by their local municipality.

The State Scholarship is intended for students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds who meet the general eligibility criteria set out in Articles 11, 12, and 13 of the Scholarship Act (ZŠtip-1). It is available to students whose average monthly household income per family member in the year preceding the application does not exceed EUR 1,218.08.

The State Scholarship may be combined with a company-sponsored scholarship, a scholarship for occupations in shortage, and certain other scholarships, such as Ad Futura.

Students who wish to receive the scholarship for the entire academic year should apply in September. Applications may also be submitted at any time during the year, with the scholarship being awarded from the first day of the month following the submission of the application.

The amount of the basic State Scholarship depends on the applicant’s average monthly household income per family member. In addition to the basic scholarship, students may also be eligible for supplementary allowances based on academic achievement, accommodation, or special educational needs.

Students do not need to submit a new application to renew their State Scholarship for subsequent years of study. A new application is required only for first-time applicants or for those whose previous application was rejected.

The State Scholarship may be suspended for a period of one to three academic years, depending on the reason for the suspension, but generally for no more than one consecutive year at the same level of education. Exceptions apply in cases related to the income threshold or other justified circumstances.

Students who do not successfully complete their year of study are required to repay the scholarship. Repayment is also required if a scholarship recipient does not graduate by 30 September of the calendar year following the completion of the final year of study.

The Zois Scholarship is intended for gifted and exceptionally successful students.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the general conditions set out in Articles 11–13 of the Scholarship Act (ZŠtip-1), have achieved an outstanding accomplishment, and demonstrate a high level of academic performance. Academic excellence is defined as either:

  • a grade point average of at least 8.5, or
  • being ranked among the top 5% of students.

Scholarships are awarded to applicants with the highest number of points for outstanding achievements, subject to the availability of funding.

To apply for a Zois Scholarship for the first time, candidates must submit an application in accordance with the public call published by the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia.

To continue receiving the scholarship in a higher year of study, students must meet all eligibility requirements, including enrolment in the next year of study and the general conditions, and must have either at least one qualifying outstanding achievement or a grade point average of 8.5 or above. Applications for the continuation of the Zois Scholarship must be submitted by 30 September, before the start of the academic year. If the application is submitted later, the scholarship will be suspended and entitlement will begin on the first day of the following month in the current academic year.

State Scholarship and Zois Scholarship

New from the 2024/2025 academic year: In accordance with the amendment to the Scholarship Act, adopted by the National Assembly on 24 November 2023, students may receive both the State Scholarship and the Zois Scholarship simultaneously from the 2024/2025 academic year onwards.

Company-sponsored scholarships are awarded by employers based on their current and future workforce needs. Employers determine the scholarship amount as well as any additional eligibility requirements.

A central register of available company-sponsored scholarships is published by the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia, based on scholarship opportunities submitted by employers.

Available scholarships can be found:

  • on the Fund’s website under the Scholarship Exchange section;
  • on employers’ websites, in company publications, or through various media channels (employers are also required to report these opportunities to the Public Fund);
  • on the websites of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), which publish consolidated lists of employers seeking scholarship recipients;
  • by contacting employers directly, which is often the best way to obtain the most up-to-date information.

Scholarships are also offered by foundations, municipalities, and other organisations. Information about available scholarships is typically published on the scholarship provider’s website, through various media channels, and on the website of the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia.

Ad Futura Scholarships

Ad Futura scholarships are designed to promote the international mobility of pupils, students, and researchers from Slovenia studying or conducting research abroad, as well as international students and researchers coming to Slovenia. Most calls for applications are published in December on the Fund’s website.

Scholarships for Slovenians Abroad

These scholarships are intended for members of the autochthonous Slovenian national communities in neighbouring countries and for descendants of Slovenian emigrants. Their purpose is to strengthen connections between young Slovenians living abroad and their country of origin.

SUBSIDISED STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Students who meet the eligibility criteria for accommodation support are entitled to subsidised student accommodation, provided they conclude an accommodation agreement with a student residence, secondary school residence, or a private accommodation provider.

Public Call for Student Accommodation

Each year, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation publishes a Public Call for Admission and Renewal of Subsidised Student Accommodation for students enrolled in higher vocational and higher education programmes. Applications are submitted electronically, allowing applicants to apply for accommodation in a student residence, secondary school residence, private student residence, or with a private accommodation provider.

The public call for the new academic year is published by 1 June. It includes information on:

  • application deadlines,
  • the number of available accommodation places at each higher education centre,
  • eligibility requirements for subsidised accommodation, and
  • the application procedure.

Application for Subsidised Accommodation

Students may apply for subsidised accommodation if they meet the following general eligibility requirements:

  • they are citizens of the Republic of Slovenia;
  • they have student status and are enrolled in a full-time or part-time study programme, excluding distance learning programmes;
  • they are not employed, do not carry out a registered self-employed activity, are not registered as unemployed, are not managing directors of companies or private institutions, and are not recipients of a pension, except for a survivor’s pension;
  • the average gross income per family member in the previous year does not exceed 150% of the average gross salary per employee in the Republic of Slovenia during the same period;
  • their permanent residence is located at least 25 km from their place of study; and
  • they have not been excluded from a student residence.

SUBSIDISED STUDENT MEALS

Students enrolled at higher vocational colleges or higher education institutions in the Republic of Slovenia are eligible for subsidised student meals, provided they:

  • hold student status;
  • are not employed;
  • do not carry out a commercial, professional, or agricultural activity, or perform a managerial function as their sole or principal occupation under the regulations governing health insurance;
  • are not recipients of a pension, except for a survivor’s pension.

Students from foreign universities who are studying in Slovenia under international exchange programmes are also eligible for subsidised student meals under the same conditions as students enrolled at higher vocational colleges and higher education institutions in Slovenia.

Further information on the subsidised student meal scheme is available HERE.

SUBSIDISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Students are entitled to financial support for the purchase of public transport tickets from 1 October to 30 September of the current academic year, provided that their place of study is at least two kilometres from their permanent residence.

Subsidised tickets for public bus, rail, and urban transport are available to:

  • students up to the age of 32, provided they first enrolled in a higher vocational or first- or second-cycle higher education programme before
  • reaching the age of 27;
    adult learners up to the age of 26 who are enrolled in vocational, upper secondary, or higher vocational education programmes.

Subsidised tickets can be purchased directly from public transport operators. An electronic application for a subsidised public transport pass is also available HERE.

USEFUL LINKS