Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, covering 233,032 square miles. The country is known for the Carpathian Mountains, historic cities, and rich cultural heritage. However, because Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine is ongoing, prospective international students should review official travel advisories and confirm each university’s current delivery mode before making travel plans.
Ukraine also offers higher education at comparatively affordable tuition rates, and state-funded scholarships are available to citizens of partner countries that have signed educational agreements with Ukraine. International students may also find external scholarships from regional funds, U.S. government programs, and study abroad organizations.
This article discusses some scholarships connected to study in Ukraine or Ukraine-related study that non-local students may be able to apply for.
Top Scholarships in Ukraine for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| State Scholarships for International Students in Ukraine | Government | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | Free education
Monthly allowance, if provided by the international agreement
Medical care
Dormitory accommodation under the same conditions as Ukrainian citizens
Free one-year Ukrainian language preparatory course |
| The International Visegrad Fund | Government-supported donor organization | Master’s
Full-time post-master’s studies/research | €3,500 per semester for the scholar + €2,000 per semester for the host institution |
| The Boren Scholarships and Fellowships | U.S. government | Undergraduate
Graduate | Boren Scholarships: up to $25,000
Boren Fellowships: up to $30,000 for combined domestic and overseas study |
| School of Russian and Asian Studies Grants | Study abroad provider | Students applying to eligible SRAS programs | Varies; many current SRAS program grants average $300 to $750, with some stackable awards |
| Gilman Awards | U.S. government | Undergraduate | Up to $5,000; supplemental funding may be available for critical need language study or STEM-related study abroad |
1. The Ukrainian International Education Council Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Free education, monthly allowance if provided by the international agreement, medical care, dormitory accommodation under the same conditions as Ukrainian citizens, and a free one-year Ukrainian language preparatory course
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
This scholarship option is officially presented as State Scholarships for International Students in Ukraine. It is provided through state-funded programs of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and is available to foreign citizens from partner countries that have signed bilateral or multilateral educational agreements with Ukraine.
Students should first check whether their country is eligible. The scholarship process is handled through the applicant’s home-country authorities, not directly through Ukrainian universities. Partner countries nominate selected candidates, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine makes the final scholarship decision.
Applicants normally need academic documents such as a passport copy, diploma or certificate with transcripts, a motivation letter, a completed application form, and, for Ph.D. candidates, a research proposal. Documents must be translated into Ukrainian. Scholarship students are enrolled in Ukrainian-language programs and complete a free preparatory year in Ukrainian before beginning the main degree program.
The scholarship covers tuition and basic academic support, but it does not cover all costs. Students should budget separately for recognition of foreign educational documents, annual medical insurance, visa fees, travel expenses, and temporary residence permit expenses.
2. The International Visegrad Fund
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: €3,500 per semester for the scholar + €2,000 per semester for the host institution
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s | Full-time post-master’s studies/research
The Visegrad Group countries, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, support regional cooperation through the International Visegrad Fund. The Fund promotes cooperation in Central Europe through grants, scholarships, and residencies.
The Visegrad Scholarship Program supports master’s and post-master’s students and researchers in all disciplines and in any language for up to two semesters at accredited higher education institutions across Central and Eastern Europe.
For Ukraine-related study, the program works in two directions. Citizens of Visegrad countries can apply to study at accredited institutions in eligible partner countries, including Ukraine. Citizens or residents of Ukraine can also apply to study in Visegrad countries. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and their citizenship or residence must be different from the host institution’s country.
Applications are submitted online by April 15 at noon. Applicants should check the current call before applying, as the Fund publishes the next application cycle and related documents on its official website.
3. The Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Boren Scholarships provide up to $25,000; Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 for combined domestic and overseas study
- Eligible Degree/s: Undergraduate, graduate
The Boren Awards are U.S. government-funded awards for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who want to study languages and cultures in regions considered important to U.S. national security. The awards are divided into Boren Scholarships for undergraduates and Boren Fellowships for graduate students.
Ukraine and Ukrainian or Russian language study may be relevant to a Boren application, but students should not assume that they must study both Ukrainian and Russian. Instead, applicants need a strong language and study plan that fits Boren’s eligibility rules, their home institution’s study abroad standards, and current safety restrictions.
Boren Scholarships can provide up to $25,000 for 25 to 52 weeks abroad, with lower maximums for shorter programs. Boren Fellowships can provide up to $25,000 for overseas study, and up to $30,000 when limited domestic language study is combined with overseas study.
Recipients must complete a federal service requirement after graduation. Because Ukraine remains under official travel warnings, applicants should work closely with their campus representative and the Boren Awards program to confirm whether a proposed Ukraine-related program is currently eligible and feasible.
4. School of Russian and Asian Studies Grants
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Varies; many current SRAS program grants average $300 to $750, with some stackable awards
- Eligible Degree/s: Students applying to eligible SRAS programs
The School of Russian and Asian Studies, commonly known as SRAS, supports study abroad and regional studies programs connected to Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and nearby regions. SRAS funding is not a Ukrainian government scholarship and should be checked against the specific SRAS program a student plans to join.
SRAS currently lists several funding options, including SRAS Program Grants, research internships, and ambassador opportunities. Program grants can be stackable, and award amounts vary by program type, location, and duration. Current average awards include $300 for standard programs lasting six to ten weeks, $500 for full-semester programs, and $750 for academic-year programs.
Students must apply for an SRAS study abroad program first. After starting a program application, they can access the grant funding application. Current SRAS program grants generally require a program length of at least six weeks and a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Students specifically seeking Ukraine-based study should confirm current program availability directly with SRAS, as program locations and delivery options can change.
5. Gilman Awards
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000; eligible applicants studying a critical need language may apply for up to $3,000 in supplemental funding, and STEM-related supplemental funding may also be available
- Eligible Degree/s: Undergraduate
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports U.S. citizen or national undergraduate students with high financial need who want to study or intern abroad. To be eligible, applicants must be undergraduate students in good standing at accredited U.S. institutions and must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the application period or during the term of the study abroad program or internship.
Gilman awards provide up to $5,000 for credit-bearing academic studies or internships abroad. Students studying a critical need language may apply for a supplemental Critical Need Language Award of up to $3,000, for a combined total of up to $8,000. Russian is listed as a critical need language, but not all applicants studying a listed language receive the supplemental award.
Students should be especially careful when considering Ukraine. Gilman eligibility requires participation in a credit-bearing program in a country or location with a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2. Ukraine is currently listed by the U.S. Department of State as Level 4: Do Not Travel. Therefore, applicants should not assume that Gilman funding can currently be used for a Ukraine-based program unless the official advisory and program eligibility rules change.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships in Ukraine for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
