The 2021 education assistance rates for children of martyrs and veterans have been determined. Primary, secondary and university students will receive different amounts of aid. Certain eligibility conditions must be met to benefit from this support.
As with other years, the education assistance amount is adjusted annually, and the payment increases with higher education levels. This assistance is provided under the provisions of Laws No. 3713, 2330, 5434 and 5510. According to Article 47 of Law No. 5510, education assistance is paid to the children of those who died for reasons that qualify as wartime or service-related disability.
Who Is Eligible for Education Assistance for Children of Martyrs and Veterans?
The Social Security Institution (SGK) provides education assistance to the following groups:
- Children of martyrs who continue their education.
- Children of war-disabled veterans who are attending school.
- Students enrolled in institutions operating under Article 2/h of the Private Education Institutions Law No. 5580 are eligible for payment.
- Children of those retired from Bağ-Kur or SSK under the provisions of Law No. 2330 may receive education assistance from SGK.
- If a person is later recognized as war or service disabled and then changes institutions or resumes work so that their pension is suspended, their children may still be eligible for education assistance.
Do Children of Martyrs and Veterans Need to Apply for Education Assistance?
The Social Security Institution identifies eligible children using registration data from the Ministry of National Education and the Higher Education Council. The system automatically retrieves students’ active enrollment status. Therefore, in most cases students do not need to submit documents; eligibility is determined automatically.
Payments are generally made without a separate application. However, students whose education level cannot be verified must apply during the academic year to claim the assistance.
Which Institution Should Be Contacted for Martyr and Veteran Assistance?
Applications for education assistance for children of martyrs and veterans should be directed to the Social Security Institution (SGK). SGK is responsible for the payment of these benefits.
How to Apply for Education Assistance for Martyr and Veteran Children?
Applicants who wish to apply to the Social Security Institution can complete their application by mail. Documents should be sent to the following address: SGK – General Directorate of Retirement Services – Public Servants Retirement Department, Mithatpaşa Caddesi No:7 Sıhhiye/ANKARA.
Application documents and the application petition must be posted to this address. If it is determined that the education assistance has not been paid, the same documents should again be sent to the same address.
How to Apply for Education Assistance via e-Government?
Students seeking education assistance can quickly submit their application through the e-Government portal.
How to apply via e-Government:
- Select the type of request: “For Myself” or “For My Children.”
- After choosing the request type, click the “Apply” button to submit the application.
Documents Required to Apply for Education Assistance for Martyr and Veteran Children
The documents requested by SGK for education assistance applications are as follows:
- An application petition.
- The student’s identity document.
- A document showing the current education status.
Where Can Education Assistance for Martyr and Veteran Children Be Withdrawn?
Recipients who wish to withdraw education assistance should go to a bank branch with their Turkish ID number. Generally, the assistance is paid through Ziraat Bank. Presenting an identity document at any Ziraat Bank branch and informing the teller that you wish to withdraw the education assistance will allow you to receive the funds. For those who receive payments through contracted banks, the aid may be deposited directly into those accounts. Payments are automatically transferred to the recipient’s payroll account when applicable.
The banks where education assistance for children of martyrs and veterans can be paid include:
- Halk Bank
- PTT
- Vakıflar Bank
- Yapı Kredi Bank
- Ziraat Bank
- Türkiye Ekonomi Bankası
- Akbank
- Garanti BBVA
- Şekerbank
- Burgan Bank
- İş Bank
- Denizbank
- ING Bank
- Fibabanka
How Much Is the Education Assistance for Martyr and Veteran Children?
Education assistance amounts for the 2020–2021 academic year were:
- Primary education: 2,317 TRY
- Secondary education: 3,475 TRY
- University students: 4,634 TRY
How Much Has the Education Assistance Been Increased?
Recipients of education assistance for martyrs and veterans received payments increased by approximately 10%. Education assistance is adjusted annually by a certain rate each year.
When Is the Education Assistance Paid?
Education assistance is paid each year at the beginning of the academic period. It is a once-a-year payment, typically transferred in September. Payment dates are announced in advance through an official notice. If the amounts transferred by the Social Security Institution do not appear in recipients’ accounts, students should contact SGK.
How to Check Education Assistance for Martyr and Veteran Children?
To check education assistance payments, visit the SGK education assistance inquiry page and enter your Turkish ID number. After clicking the query button, the page displays the benefit details, including the beneficiary’s name, the payment amount and the bank that received the payment.
Details of Orphan’s Pension Paid to Martyr’s Children
If a martyr’s daughter was unmarried at the time of the martyr’s death, she may receive a pension. The pension is suspended if she marries, and is reinstated if she becomes divorced or widowed. Marrying daughters of martyrs may, if they request, receive a lump-sum marriage allowance equivalent to two years of their pension paid in advance, instead of continuing monthly orphan payments. This allowance is paid only once by the Social Security Institution.
When pensions are paid to the parents of martyrs, no special conditions are required.
Other Assistance Available to Children of Martyrs and Veterans
Other forms of assistance available through the Social Security Institution for children of martyrs and veterans include:
- Cash assistance, including the possibility of monthly pensions.
- Discounted services from public institutions and organizations.
- Education assistance payments.
- Priority for private education scholarships. Annual scholarship quotas often include reserved spots for martyr and veteran children. Priority is also given for dormitory placement, scholarships and student loans. Under Law No. 5510, children of those who died while serving under wartime disability provisions are exempt from tuition and student contribution fees for higher education.
- Health benefits.
- Employment and job assistance.