Low-income student support
ITU prioritizes low-income individuals' applications to the university as stated in the mission of the university:
“The purpose of existence for the Istanbul Technical University is to expand the borders of knowledge and its applications in science, technology and art for contributing to the sustainable community.”
Our university provides support, such as food, housing, transportation, and legal services, for students from low-income families to help them complete their university education. Furthermore, our university offers various scholarships, including Merit Scholarships, Athlete Scholarships, Food Scholarships, and Need-Based Scholarships that can cover up to 100% of tuition costs and dormitory costs. Students in need receive computers donated by the alumni association. Moreover, student shuttles are available for in-campus transportation free of charge.
As a public university in Türkiye, ITU provides free education to local students. Therefore, university does not charge tuition fees from students (Students who have exceeded the program duration in first-cycle programs pay a contribution fee).
Last academic year, ITU provided 12000 students with over 275 million TL in scholarships and support. Each piece of support illuminated a student's path, bringing them one step closer to realizing their dreams. In the new academic year, we continue to support our students' educational journeys with the same sense of responsibility through our needs- and merit-based scholarship programs. The percentage of scholarships based on categories are as shown in the graph. Low income students receive 76 percent of the scholarships provided by the university.
Targets
ITU as a body has targets to admit students who fall into the bottom 20% of the household income group (or a more tightly defined target) in the country. Admission from low-income groups including the bottom 20% of the household income group made up to 50 percent of the total number of students.
ITU also as a body has graduation/completion targets for students who fall into the bottom 20% of the household income group (or a more tightly defined target)in the country. We track the application and graduation rates of these student groups.
The bottom 20% of the household income group in Türkiye make up 6.1 percent of families in 2024.
The percentage of the bottom 20% of the household income group in Türkiye. Resource: TÜİK 2024
Since the bottom 20% of the household income group includes a large percentage of our society, we target to admit students from low-income groups. The low-income students from the bottom 20% are given special attention. Admission from low-income groups including the bottom 20% of the household income group made up to 50 percent of the total number of students.
Percentage of students from low income families in ITU
In Türkiye, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita is less than the OECD average of USD 30 490 a year. Hence, low income households are more common than EU countries.
Average income by city. Resource: TÜİK 2024
No discrimination at admission and financial support
Bottom financial quintile admission target
Student selections and placements for higher education in Türkiye have been conducted by the Centre for Assessment, Selection, and Placement (ÖSYM), which is affiliated with the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), since 1981 under Law No. 2547. Consequently, students are ranked based on their scores in a centralized exam, and individual universities do not have the discretion to target specific students for admissions. Minimum scores for each university depend on student quotas, which are also determined by the Council of Higher Education.
Students who gain admission to Istanbul Technical University are exempt from the obligation of paying annual tuition fees. This exemption is a result of the Republic of Türkiye’s comprehensive strategy to uphold the fundamental right to education. By absorbing the financial burden of tuition, the University manifests its commitment to democratizing access to higher education and fostering an inclusive learning environment. This policy is particularly instrumental in mitigating the financial constraints that often impede students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds from accessing quality education.
Regulation for University Placement
Higher Education Law
ITU also has 14 Dual Degree Diploma Programs (DDP), which offer an international environment to make the graduates more competitive in their future careers. Although these programmes are subject to a tuition fee, several scholarships are provided depending on their success in the University Entrance Exam.
ITU Dual Degree Programs
There are various types of gratuitous scholarships offered in ITU to assist the different needs of students. Our goal is to ensure that we reach the graduation targets for students who fall into the bottom 20% of the household income group with the support of scholarships.