Fully Funded Slovak Government Scholarships for International Students 2026/2027

The Slovak Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth is offering fully funded scholarships for talented international students starting the 2026/2027 academic year. You can receive up to €15,000 (€500 per month for 10 months each year) plus possible tuition fee waiver and public health insurance.

Deadline is 8 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Applications are open now at the official portal. This guide covers everything Nigerian and other international students need: eligibility, exact benefits, SAT/SCIO requirements, living costs, visa steps, and how to apply without mistakes.

Slovak Government Scholarships 2026/2027 – Key Facts

• Deadline: 8 September 2026, 23:59 CEST (extended)
• Study levels: Bachelor’s, combined Bachelor’s-Master’s, Master’s (PhD not included)
• Monthly stipend: €500 for 10 months (September–June)
• Maximum total: €15,000 (3 years Bachelor’s/combined or 2 years Master’s)
• Number of awards: Up to 170 Bachelor’s/combined + 55 Master’s
• Selection: Only SAT score (min. 1100) or SCIO average percentile 63
• Official portal: scholarships.portalvs.sk

The programme is co-financed by European Structural and Investment Funds and the Slovak state budget. It targets programmes under Slovakia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (SK RIS3 2021+).

What the Scholarship Covers

Successful students receive:

• €500 every month for 10 months each academic year
• Up to €15,000 total over the supported period
• Possible tuition fee waiver (decided by the university)
• Access to Slovak public health insurance (for non-EU/EEA students)
• Eligibility for Erasmus+ mobility later

The money is paid by the university after you enrol and sign the contract. If payments start late, earlier months are paid retroactively.

Note: The scholarship is tied to one specific university and programme. You cannot switch institutions after the award.

Number of Scholarships and Funding Split

Applicants are ranked in geographical groups during evaluation. Master’s places are open to new applicants and previous Bachelor’s holders under the earlier Recovery and Resilience Plan scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet all of these:

• Citizen of a country other than Slovakia (dual citizenship allowed if you have no permanent residence in Slovakia)
• No permanent residence in Slovakia since 1 January 2021 (exceptions for short language courses, Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps or academic mobility)
• No previous study at a Slovak secondary school or higher education institution (except academic mobility). Studies completed outside Slovakia are fine
• Have applied or been admitted to an eligible full-time, in-person programme at a Slovak public or state university
• No age limit. Applicants under 18 need signed consent from a legal guardian

For Master’s level, continuous progression from a previous Bachelor’s at a Slovak university is allowed under specific conditions.

Eligible Study Fields (SK RIS3)

Only programmes linked to Slovakia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy qualify. These focus on innovation, technology, science and related areas. Examples include:

• Informatics, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity
• Electrical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, biomedical engineering
• Chemical engineering, biotechnology, materials science
• Mechanical engineering, automotive technologies, renewable energy
• Civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
• Environmental sciences, ecology, forestry
• Selected economics, management and food technology programmes
• Some health-related and teacher-training programmes that fit the strategy

Download the official list of eligible programmes from scholarships.portalvs.sk before applying. Many programmes are taught in Slovak; check English-taught options directly with the university.

The Only Selection Criterion: SAT or SCIO

Your test score is the sole ranking factor. Nothing else (motivation letter, CV, grades) decides the ranking once you meet the minimum.

• SAT: Minimum total score 1100. Scores from 1 January 2021 until the deadline are accepted
• SCIO: Average percentile of at least 63 from the Mathematics and General Study Prerequisites tests

You choose only one test. Scores below the minimum are rejected. Ranking uses a converted percentile scale.

SAT is available in Nigeria. Centres operate in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu and other cities. Register on the official College Board website. Upcoming dates after the original spring window include August, September and later sittings — confirm current availability and register early because slots fill fast and you need an international passport on test day.

Required Documents

Upload these on the portal:

• Certified copy of valid passport or national ID
• Hand-signed solemn declaration of no permanent residence in Slovakia since 1 January 2021 (template available)
• SAT or SCIO score report
• Structured CV in English (use the official template)
• Motivation letter in English (use the official template)
• Admission letter from the Slovak university if you already have it
• Legal guardian consent if under 18
• Certificate for Slovaks living abroad if applicable

After selection you must submit original documents to the university. Any false document leads to withdrawal of the scholarship and repayment of funds already received.

How to Apply – Step by Step

1. Create an account at scholarships.portalvs.sk
2. Choose Bachelor’s or Master’s level
3. Select only one university and one eligible programme
4. Enter your SAT or SCIO details and upload the score report
5. Upload all required documents and declarations
6. Submit before 8 September 2026, 23:59 CEST

Important: The scholarship application is separate from university admission. You must also apply directly to the university for a place. Receiving the scholarship does not guarantee admission or enrolment. Payments start only after you are officially enrolled and have begun studies in autumn 2026.

A detailed step-by-step PDF guide is available on the official portal.

Living Costs in Slovakia with the €500 Stipend

The stipend covers a large part of student life, especially outside Bratislava.

Many students live comfortably on the €500 stipend by choosing dormitories and cooking. Private apartments cost more. Slovakia uses the euro, so there is no currency conversion risk once you arrive.

Visa and Residence for Nigerian Students

Nigerian citizens need a national (Type D) long-stay visa and then temporary residence for study.

• Apply for the national visa at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nairobi, Kenya (the Embassy in Abuja does not process national visas)
• Required documents usually include acceptance letter, proof of funds, accommodation confirmation, criminal record extract, and medical insurance
• After arrival you convert to temporary residence for the purpose of study
• The scholarship and enrolment help prove purpose and financial means

Start the visa process immediately after receiving the preliminary selection list. Processing can take several weeks.

ALSO READ: related post on Schengen and national visa tips for Nigerians

Selection Process and Payment Timeline

After the deadline the Ministry checks eligibility and documents. Ranking is based only on the converted test percentile. A preliminary list is published, followed by the final list. Contracts are signed and funds transferred to the universities. Universities then pay recipients monthly once enrolment is confirmed.

Results appear on the portal and by email.

Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Take the SAT or SCIO as early as possible. Scores must be uploaded before the deadline
• Choose a programme that is clearly on the official SK RIS3 list
• Contact the university admissions office early about admission requirements and English-taught options
• Use the exact CV and motivation letter templates provided
• Have your passport certified copy ready — Nigerian notaries and courts can handle this
• Keep screenshots of every upload and confirmation email

ALSO READ: How to write a strong motivation letter for European scholarships

ALSO READ: How to write a CV for scholarship applications

FAQ

What is the exact deadline for the Slovak Government Scholarships 2026/2027?

8 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST. The deadline was extended from the original July date. Applications submitted after this time are not accepted.

How much money do you actually receive?

€500 per month for 10 months each year (September to June). Maximum is €15,000 over three years for Bachelor’s/combined programmes or two years for Master’s.

Can Nigerian students apply?

Yes. The programme is open to citizens of any country except those with permanent residence in Slovakia since 1 January 2021. Many Nigerian students have successfully applied to similar European schemes.

Is the SAT the only way or can I use another test?

You can use either the SAT (minimum 1100) or the SCIO tests (average percentile 63). Only one test is allowed. No other tests or grade averages replace it.

Does the scholarship cover full tuition and living costs?

It provides a monthly living stipend and a possible tuition waiver decided by the university. In many public programmes tuition is already low or zero for scholarship holders. Living costs in Košice and smaller cities are often fully covered by the €500 stipend if you stay in a dormitory.

Conclusion – Next Steps

The Slovak Government Scholarships 2026/2027 offer real funding for Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in Europe with a clear, score-based selection process. The deadline of 8 September 2026 is still open, but SAT/SCIO slots and document preparation take time.

1. Check the official list of eligible programmes on scholarships.portalvs.sk
2. Register for the next available SAT or SCIO date
3. Create your account on the scholarship portal and start uploading documents
4. Apply for admission to your chosen Slovak university in parallel

Slovak Scholarships 2026 | Up to €15,000 Fully Funded

Start today. The official application portal and all templates are at scholarships.portalvs.sk.

AlsoRead: more fully funded scholarships open now

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