Many young people with special needs, including those with severe and profound disabilities, have acquired and are successfully acquiring higher education. The accessibility of school buildings and the readiness of teachers to teach young people with special needs have also improved.

As there are numerous higher education institutions and the concessions and allowances offered to students are constantly changing, the best source for information on the options available to students with special needs is generally the website of the specific institution. Some higher education institutions offer tuition-free student places or non-competitive admission to students with special needs. In addition, higher education institutions periodically hold open days with a special information session for those with special needs.

Youth with special needs can apply for a higher education scholarship for students with special needs. The amount of the scholarship depends on the type and severity of the student’s disability and ranges from 60 to 510 euros per month.

To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, the student must be enrolled in professional higher education, bachelor’s, master’s, integrated bachelor’s and master’s, or doctoral studies, and must meet the following criteria:

• the student must be an Estonian citizen or reside in Estonia on the basis of a long-term or temporary residence permit or the right of permanent or temporary residence;
• the student must be studying full-time or part-time or be on academic leave. The scholarship can be applied for twice a year.

Students who wish to apply for the scholarship must inform their higher education institution of their special needs prior to submitting the application. The institution will then register the student’s special needs in the Estonian Education Information System.

The scholarship application must be submitted through the electronic application environment.
For additional information, visit the website of HARNO.