As unemployment rates in our country have gradually declined, employers have simultaneously raised their hiring criteria. Considering that even university graduates can be unemployed, it has become common for employers to require at least a university degree. Higher education plays a decisive role in the distribution of occupations, and being a university graduate gives you an advantage when entering the job market.
Unfortunately, higher education is still undervalued in our country. Because it is not compulsory, university enrollment rates remain lower than those of earlier education levels. To increase the number of university students and to support education financially, the state provides assistance for those accepted to two- or four-year programs. This support can be provided as housing (dormitory) services or as financial aid. If you want to benefit from scholarships or student loans, you must apply first. These days, students no longer need to visit institutions in person; applications to the Higher Education Credit and Hostels Institution (KYK) are submitted online at the start of each academic year.
To apply online, a student first needs an e-Government (e-Devlet) password, which can be obtained from the nearest PTT office. The fee for this password is only 2 TL. With that password, you can access the e-Devlet portal from any internet-connected smartphone or computer. On the official e-Devlet website you will be asked to provide some personal information—fill in the fields accurately and completely. After logging in, go to the “Yüksek Öğrenim Kredi ve Yurtlar Kurumu Genel Müdürlüğü” section and select the KYK application options to submit your request.
Previously, the evaluation of these applications could take up to two months. However, following a recent process improvement, application results have been announced much faster, allowing students to benefit from scholarships or loans roughly two months earlier. Students were nonetheless concerned about potential changes to KYK payments. Announcements regarding KYK payments were made in January 2017.
How Much Are KYK Payments?
KYK payments historically changed according to the annual inflation rate, sometimes increasing by 50 TL or by smaller amounts such as 30 TL. Scholarship and loan amounts are paid to students at the same rate. After a government announcement by Ahmet Davutoğlu, students saw an increase of around 50 TL at the start of the new year. When questions arose again the following January, students wondered whether there would be another raise, especially since inflation and general salary adjustments were relatively low that year.
Previously, KYK payments were 400 TL. Entering 2017, scholarship and loan amounts were increased by about 25 TL, bringing the payment level to 425 TL. From 2017 onward, students began receiving KYK payments at that amount.