Starting next year, students admitted to higher state educational institutions will study for free. This is a very important change, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated while discussing higher education reform and funding.

According to the Prime Minister, the issue was considered both in government and political council meetings.

“We had an important meeting, discussed this issue in the format of the government and the political council, and decided that from the next intake, from 2026 onwards, students in state universities will study completely free of charge. Those admitted next year to a state higher education institution will have tuition fully covered. This is a very important change and will be gradually implemented within the state university system,” the Prime Minister noted.

For reference, starting in 2026, the grant-based funding model will be abolished. After this, tuition fees for students enrolled in state universities will be fully covered by the state. As for private universities, state funding will not be provided for students admitted from 2026 onward.

Additionally, according to the Minister of Education, Science, and Youth, students already enrolled in higher education institutions will not be affected by this announced change in funding until the end of their study cycle.