Atatürk University | SDG 1 – No Poverty | Indicator 1.3.4 | Reporting Year: 2025
Institutional Commitment
Atatürk University provides scholarships, financial assistance and student welfare services to help students experiencing economic hardship continue and complete their higher education.
The University’s support framework includes need-based scholarships, free meals, paid student employment, academic achievement scholarships and access to external financial assistance programmes. These measures are complemented by healthcare facilities, free psychological counselling and support opportunities for international students.
Particular attention is given to students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, including households within the lowest 20% of the national income distribution.
1. Scholarships and Direct Financial Assistance
Atatürk University Development Foundation Scholarships
The Atatürk University Development Foundation provides financial assistance to students who lack sufficient economic resources.
The University’s official scholarship information identifies the Foundation as a source of support for students experiencing financial difficulties.
In November 2025, the Foundation announced its 2025–2026 scholarship programme, expanding its support beyond academic achievement to include students requiring financial assistance.
Applications were scheduled from 17 November to 15 December 2025.
This provides documented evidence that the University’s scholarship framework included an explicit financial-need component during the 2025 reporting year.
Evidence:
2025–2026 Development Foundation Scholarship Announcement
University Scholarship and Employment Opportunities
University Meal Scholarships
Atatürk University provides meal scholarships specifically for academically successful students from low-income households.
Applications are submitted through the students’ academic units, generally by the end of October.
Eligible students receive one free meal every weekday throughout the academic year at University dining facilities.
The programme directly addresses food-related financial hardship and reduces an essential living expense.
The University’s Department of Health, Culture and Sports publicly identifies low household income as an eligibility criterion.
Evidence:
Social Services Branch Directorate – Meal Scholarships
Academic Achievement Scholarships
Atatürk University also provides achievement-based scholarships for students obtaining high rankings in the national university entrance examination (YKS).
In July 2025, the University announced a scholarship initiative offering up to TRY 30,000 per month to qualifying high-achieving students in designated faculties, subject to ranking and quota requirements.
This programme demonstrates the breadth of the University’s financial support arrangements.
However, achievement scholarships are distinct from need-based scholarships and should not be interpreted as assistance exclusively reserved for the lowest household income quintile.
Evidence:
Atatürk University – July 2025 Institutional Bulletin
2. Paid Part-Time Employment and Income Support
Atatürk University operates a structured part-time student employment programme through its Department of Health, Culture and Sports.
Students can apply for paid work opportunities within faculties, institutes, research centres and administrative units.
The University administers employment contracts, wage payments and relevant insurance procedures.
Under its formal employment arrangements, working hours are limited to 15 hours per week.
These opportunities enable eligible students to supplement their income while continuing their education and gaining professional experience.
The University’s Social Services Branch Directorate also provides information concerning the national İŞKUR Youth Programme, which offers additional paid employment opportunities.
Evidence:
Student Employment and Social Services
Part-Time Student Employment Contract
3. External Scholarships and Financial Assistance
Atatürk University facilitates student access to financial assistance provided by national scholarship organisations and charitable foundations.
Its Department of Health, Culture and Sports identifies scholarship opportunities associated with the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV), Vehbi Koç Foundation and the Turkish Foundation for Disabled Sports, Education and Assistance (TESYEV).
A particularly concrete example is the 2025–2026 Vehbi Koç Foundation scholarship allocation, which reserved 25 undergraduate scholarship places for Atatürk University, including continuing scholarship recipients.
Applications were accepted between 8 September and 3 October 2025.
The University’s role in communicating and coordinating these opportunities helps eligible students access financial assistance beyond directly funded institutional programmes.
| Programme | Provider | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Development Foundation Scholarship | Atatürk University Development Foundation | Financial assistance, including need-based support |
| University Meal Scholarship | Atatürk University | Free weekday meals for eligible low-income students |
| Part-Time Student Employment | Atatürk University | Paid campus employment |
| Academic Achievement Scholarships | Atatürk University / Development Foundation | Merit-based financial assistance |
| TEV Scholarships | Turkish Education Foundation | Educational scholarships |
| Vehbi Koç Foundation Scholarships | Vehbi Koç Foundation | Undergraduate financial assistance |
| TESYEV Scholarships | TESYEV | Support for eligible students with disabilities |
| KYK Scholarships and Loans | Ministry of Youth and Sports | National financial assistance |
| İŞKUR Youth Programme | İŞKUR | Paid employment opportunities |
Evidence:
2025–2026 Vehbi Koç Foundation Scholarship Allocation to Atatürk University
Social Services Branch Directorate
4. Health and Psychological Support Services
Atatürk University provides access to healthcare through its Research Hospital and Faculty of Dentistry facilities.
Medical and dental services operate within the applicable Turkish healthcare and social insurance framework. Access to these facilities should not be interpreted as a blanket exemption from all treatment fees.
The University also provides free psychological counselling through its Psychological Counselling and Guidance Application and Research Centre.
Students may receive individual counselling in person or online, with confidentiality protections.
These services address personal, emotional and academic difficulties that can affect educational continuity.
While the counselling service is available to the wider student population, it also benefits students facing financial hardship by providing professional psychological support without a counselling fee.
Evidence:
Atatürk University Research Hospital
Psychological Counselling and Guidance Centre
Counselling Application and Appointment Information
5. Support for International Students
Atatürk University recognises that international students may experience financial challenges arising from tuition fees, accommodation costs and limited access to family resources.
International students can explore scholarship opportunities offered by the University, its Development Foundation and external funding organisations, subject to the eligibility requirements of each programme.
The University’s previously reported support framework also identifies assistance opportunities for students affected by displacement, conflict or humanitarian emergencies.
International students may access University counselling services and other student welfare facilities under the applicable institutional rules.
However, eligibility for scholarships, tuition reductions or exemptions must be assessed individually. Such benefits cannot be assumed solely on the basis of nationality or residence in a low-income country.
The University therefore distinguishes general international student support from financial assistance specifically awarded on the basis of household income.
Evidence:
Atatürk University – Scholarship Opportunities
Turkish Council of Higher Education
6. Institutional Administration and Accessibility
The University’s scholarship and student assistance programmes are supported by established administrative arrangements.
The Department of Health, Culture and Sports coordinates meal scholarships, student employment and information concerning external scholarships.
Academic units participate in scholarship application and referral procedures.
The Development Foundation provides a separate institutional channel for financial assistance, while the Psychological Counselling and Guidance Centre offers direct student wellbeing services.
Together, these arrangements provide students with identifiable points of access to financial and non-financial assistance.
The University’s official online information also enables students to identify available programmes, application requirements and relevant administrative contacts.
Conclusion
Atatürk University maintains a documented framework of scholarships and support services designed to reduce financial barriers to higher education.
The University’s need-based Development Foundation scholarships, free meal scholarships and paid student employment opportunities provide direct forms of financial assistance.
Achievement-based scholarships, external foundation funding, healthcare access and free psychological counselling complement these measures.
The continuation and expansion of scholarship opportunities during 2025 demonstrate the University’s commitment to supporting students experiencing financial hardship and helping them remain in higher education.
These initiatives contribute to SDG 1 – No Poverty, particularly Indicator 1.3.4, by providing financial assistance and student support mechanisms that promote educational continuity and equitable opportunities.
