TIRANA, Nov. 3 /ATA/ – Albanian government will increase monthly stipend for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to 25,000 leks under its 2027 state budget, while extending financial support to eligible students pursuing master’s degrees, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said on Tuesday.
Presenting the draft 2027 education budget to Parliament’s Committee on Education, Science and Sports, Kumbaro said higher education would receive the largest increase in funding in absolute terms within the Education Ministry’s budget, with an additional 1.25 billion leks allocated mainly to student support schemes.
She said the increase followed consultations with universities and students, as well as discussions on the need to strengthen funding for higher education and the ongoing review of the higher education law.
The expanded student support package includes higher scholarships for students from low-income families, an additional housing allowance and an extension of financial assistance to students enrolled in priority fields of study at master’s level.
Under the new scheme, monthly scholarships for students from disadvantaged families will rise from 10,000 leks to 25,000 leks, equivalent to around 275 euros, and will also be available during master’s studies for the first time, Kumbaro said.
The package is expected to benefit more than 11,500 students across three categories.
A further 177 students enrolled in nationally prioritised study programmes will receive 50,000 leks per month. The scheme will also be extended to students in these programmes pursuing master’s degrees, Kumbaro said.
The 2027 budget also earmarks 375 million leks, or around 4 million euros, in grant funding for student accommodation managed by the Student Accommodation Companies in Tirana and other university cities.
The scheme is expected to provide accommodation for between 7,000 and 7,500 students. Including accommodation fees and contributions from local government units, total annual funding is projected to reach around 900 million leks, or approximately 9.5 million euros.
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