Latvijas studentu apvienība

Ongoing Debate over “Studētgods” Stipend Fund: Challenges and Agreements

The debate over the “Studētgods” stipend fund has intensified as the Latvian Ministry of Finance (FM) and the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) proposed reducing its funding by over 2.6 million euros, affecting socially vulnerable student groups. The “Studētgods” stipend is currently the only state-provided financial support based on social criteria, targeting students from large families, those with disabilities, orphans, and students with limited parental support.

The Student Union of Latvia (LSA) has voiced concerns over the negative impact of these cuts, arguing that they will force vulnerable students to abandon their studies. LSA previously called for increasing the stipend amount from €175 to €200 and expanding its eligibility to students from low-income households. The FM justified the cuts by citing budgetary prioritization of national security.

In response to growing public pressure, an emergency meeting was held on September 23, 2024, involving student representatives, IZM, and FM. A compromise was reached, agreeing to raise the stipend to €180 starting January 2025 and to gradually include low-income students in the fund by the autumn of 2025. However, student protests remain a possibility if further demands for support are not addressed, highlighting the ongoing struggle for adequate financial support for higher education in Latvia.

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