What is a state study grant in Georgia?
How the grant worked and what the 2025 reform changed.
Short answer
A state grant pays university tuition in Georgia in full or in part based on the Unified National Exams and remains in place for students enrolled before 17 December 2025. The full grant is 2,250 GEL, and partial grants are 70% and 50% of the full amount. For Georgian citizens enrolled later, the law provides full state funding at government-founded universities.
Why
- Law No. 1198 of 10 December 2025 (amending the Law on Higher Education) introduced full state funding for Georgian citizens at government-founded universities (Article 79).
- Transitional rule: funding for students enrolled before the law took effect continues through the 2030–2031 academic year.
- Government Resolution No. 211 of 20 May 2026 keeps their grants on the same terms, with the full grant at 2,250 GEL.
Details
Students enrolled before 17 December 2025 can take part in the competition to obtain or increase a grant through the 2030–2031 academic year. Under Minister's Order No. 70/N of 25 May 2026 the competition uses a general skills test: reading comprehension, logical reasoning and quantitative reasoning. Grants and increases go to students with the highest scores, and the National Assessment and Examinations Center publishes the ranking.
Foreign citizens receive state grants only within special programmes and otherwise pay international tuition, see how to enter a university or college in Georgia. The state transfers the grant directly to the university.
Tip
Watch the announcements of the National Assessment and Examinations Center: grant competition terms and rankings are published online.
What may differ
The terms depend on the enrolment date (before or after 17 December 2025), citizenship and type of university. The government changes amounts and procedures by resolutions, so check the current texts on matsne.gov.ge.
Common misconception
A state grant in Georgia is paid to the student in cash.
What actually happens
The state transfers the grant directly to the university to cover tuition.
People also ask
- How to get a scholarship in Georgia?
Sources
Higher education funding changed in 2025–2026 and may change again. Check matsne.gov.ge and the website of the National Assessment and Examinations Center.
How to enter a university or college in GeorgiaRelated questions
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What is vocational education (colleges) in Georgia?
Vocational education in Georgia trains people for a specific profession in colleges and runs on programmes at levels 3, 4 and 5 of the national qualifications framework.
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Where can you learn Georgian for free in Georgia?
Free Georgian lessons are offered by the Training Center of Justice as a 20-lesson online course and by the Zhvania School as a state programme in regional centres.
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How do you get a residence permit for study in Georgia?
The Public Service Development Agency issues the study residence permit to an adult studying a higher or vocational programme at an authorised Georgian university or college.
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How do you get a foreign diploma recognised in Georgia?
The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement recognises foreign education: you apply with a notarised Georgian translation and pay a fee from 40 GEL.