08 - Czech Republic - Financial support for students

Students (and where relevant their families) can receive financial support from the budget of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and from the budget of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

Pupils and students can receive social benefits (child allowance and where relevant other social benefits) until the age of 26 depending on the financial situation of the family and regardless of the type of school.

Health care is free of charge under the general health insurance system. Health insurance for pupils and students is paid by the state.

The parents of students under 26 years of age receive indirect financial support in the form of a tax allowance, based on the fact that their children are continuously preparing for their future profession.

As higher education and education at vyšší odborné školy are regulated by different Acts and regulations.

Students are also eligible for subsidised transport.

Tertiary professional education

School may provide school meals or accommodation if necessary. The charges for school meals are set by the financial regulatory standard, which sets financial limits (i.e. for the purchase of food this is CZK 16 to 26 for lunch and to CZK 46 to 75 for the whole day). The charges for accommodation are regulated by law. The level of charges for accommodation depends on whether a room is classified as category I or II. For category I, the charges can be a maximum of CZK 1 600 for every calendar month; for category II, CZK 900 per bed for every calendar month. Further special assistance is available for students in the form of educational and psychological services.

The school head of a vyšší odborná škola may, with the consent of the founder issue Scholarship Rules according to which pupils and students may be granted scholarships for excellent results.

Higher education

Students receive direct financial support in the form of grants (for accommodation) and indirect support (for food) from the budgets of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and vysoké školy.

Meals are provided to students of vysoké školy in student canteens at subsidized prices. It is possible to take meals in student canteens throughout the day.

The accommodation costs for students of vysoké školy are partially covered by a support in cash. The funding is given to the vysoká škola which distributes it to students in the form of grants according to the rules set in its internal regulation. Students must fulfil certain conditions to be awarded this support. However once they obtain the amount they are free to use it as they wish. Students are traditionally accommodated in dormitories of vysoké školy or where the capacity of dormitories is insufficient, in other educational facilities which have spare capacity. Students also often rent apartments.

Grants are granted to students by their institution or faculty, from a scholarship fund and in compliance with scholarship regulations, which are included in internal regulations of the institution, in the following circumstances:

• excellent academic achievement;
• excellent achievement in science, research, development, arts and in other creative activities contributing to the deepening of knowledge;
• difficult social situation of the student;
• other situations deserving attention (usually the support for accommodation);
• to support studying abroad;
• to support studying in the Czech Republic.

Grants are also available for students of doctoral programmes, in accordance with the scholarship rules of a vysoká škola, at the level of CZK 5,000 to 10,000 per month.

Students entitled to an increased degree of the child allowance are also entitled to the so called "social grant" (grant strictly defined by a law for students in burdensome situation). The amount is given by a government regulation an currently is CZK 1,620 per month for 10 months in an academic year.

Scholarships covered by the Ministry of Education are also granted depending on programmes announced by the Ministry and with respect to commitments arising from international treaties to which the Czech Republic has signed up.

Public and state vysoké školy provide health care in special health care centres for students.

Favourable conditions for sport, physical fitness and a healthy life style are also ensured in public and state institutions, and sport clubs and other facilities are also free at most vysoké školy. The same is expected of private vysoké školy.

The rektor may also choose to reduce fees, exempt a student from paying them or defer payment with regard to a student's achievements or social situation.

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