site.btaOver 6,500 Students from 49 Universities to Receive European Scholarships

Sofia, February 8 (BTA) - Over 6,500 students from 49 higher education establishments in Bulgaria will receive scholarships worth a total of 4.4 million leva for high grades and special achievements during the winter term of 2018, the Education and Science Ministry said in a press release Thursday.

The resources are provided under the Student Scholarships - Phase 1 project, implemented by the Education Ministry and funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds within Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth. The project provides opportunities in addition to those created by the national legislation for the provision of student scholarships and awards, including for students at private universities, with resources from the national budget.

Grade-based scholarships (150 leva a month for a semester's five months) are awarded on students studying in priority professional fields so as to promote programmes that can solve the existing or expected shortage of cadres on the job market. The average grade is 5.61 out of 6.00, and the approved students are 4,492, the largest number of whom are studying pre-school and primary school pedagody (133), computer systems and technologies (126), and architecture (111).

A total of 2,158 students will receive a lump sum scholarship of 300 leva for special achievements in scientific, research or practical developments. The goal is to encourage the students to develop their practical and creative potential outside of their compulsory activities at the higher education establishment. Because a single student is allowed to receive up to three such scholarships, these total 3,521 for the winter semester with an average grade of 5.67 out of 6.00. The highest number of such scholarships are awarded on students studying medicine (381), law (195), and finance (97), the press release reads.