Definition of the Target Group(s)

The Law on Higher Education recognizes students with disabilities, as well as students from the Roma and Egyptian population, as particularly sensitive and vulnerable categories. In accordance with this Law, the principle of affirmative action applies to these persons when enrolling in study programs. 

In accordance with this Law and the Law on Rights and Freedoms of Minorities, the University of Montenegro has increased the total number of places in each study program by 1% for people with disabilities and members of the of Roma and Egyptian community. Students with disabilities are exempt from paying tuition fees at all higher education institutions, regardless of whether these have the status of a public or private institution, and are entitled to accommodation in dormitory, student loans and scholarships. Institutions are obliged to provide adequate studying conditions for persons with disabilities, which implies undisturbed access to building, the right to take exams in a place and manner adapted to their abilities, as well as the implementation of the principle of affirmative action at enrolment. 

Specific Support Measures

The Law on Higher Education lays down the principle of affirmative action for enrolment of students with disabilities at faculties, organizing instruction in accordance with the needs and conditions that enable students to acquire knowledge in an accessible, suitable and adequate manner, the conditions for testing knowledge (alternative communication, sign language, Braille alphabet, assistive technologies, etc.), and other associated and necessary services. Students with disabilities at both public and private institutions are exempt from paying tuition fees.

As of the 2017/18 academic year, all students enrolled in the first year of first-cycle programmes at public HEIs are exempt from paying fees (state-subsidised). 

Concerning the enrolment policy, a foreigner has the right to enroll in study programmes in Montenegro under the same conditions as Montenegrin citizens, in compliance with the abovementioned Law and statute of institution. 

Student Loans

In accordance with Rulebook on the criteria, method, conditions and amount of compensation for exercising the right to a student loan and scholarship in 2023, higher education students who enrolled a semester of the relevant year for the first time and who have not changed their study programme are entitled to student loan. The criterion for granting loans is the performance accomplished in the previous year of studies. Under equal conditions with regard to the performance, advantage is given to students whose parents or guardians exercise the right to social security, in line with regulations on social protection. The loan is given in monthly payments, not lower than the amount of students’ allowance for dormitory accommodation and board, increased by 25%. The decision on the amount of loan is rendered by the Minister for each study year. The average loan amounts to EUR 172 per month and is paid in ten monthly instalments. The loan beneficiary is obliged to start repaying the loan within one year from the day when, according to the statute of the higher education institution, the student was obliged to complete the studies and 18 months at the latest. As defined by a higher education institution’s Statute, a student who completes their studies within the regular duration of the study programme with the average grade ranging from 9.00 to 10, is granted full loan remission.

Each year a Call is published for loans. For the 2024/2025 academic year, 3.400 students were awarded loans, in the following order: 

• 950 loans were awarded to students of the first year of basic studies (namely: 810 loans to students of the first year of basic studies studying at institutions of higher education in Montenegro and 140 loans to students of the first year of basic studies at institutions of higher education outside Montenegro);

• 1,520 loans to students of older years studies studying at higher education institutions in Montenegro;

• 310 loans for senior students studying at higher education institutions outside Montenegro;

• 390 loans for two-year master's students studying at higher education institutions in Montenegro;

• 30 loans for two-year master's students studying at institutions of higher education outside Montenegro.

Students with disabilities, regardless of their performance and the length of study, are granted full loan remission.

Grants

There are no need-based grants in Montenegro. Grants are awarded in accordance with Rulebook on the criteria, method, conditions and amount of compensation for exercising the right to a student loan and scholarship in 2023 to the best performing students in the second and the succeeding years of studies, who enrolled a semester of a study year for the first time, and who have not failed any year during the studies, or to students who have shown particular interest in science or art in certain scientific disciplines and have won awards at international and national competitions. 

Grants are awarded in line with the criteria of the Call for the award of scholarships to the best students, announced by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation at least one month before the beginning of academic year. The maximum amount of grant is 300 EUR per month. For the 2024/25 academic year, 450 scholarships were awarded based on the Call. 

For students with disabilities, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation has established a special quota for awarding grants starting from 2018/19 academic year. As for the 2024/2025 academic year, 30 scholarships were awarded to students with disabilities. 

Upon a public Call, each year the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation awards scholarships to students of Roma and Egyptian population. It is important to note that, starting from the 2024/2025 academic year the amount of the scholarship increased from 225 to 300 EUR, and the increase also applies to students from the Roma and Egyptian population. For the 2025/2026 academic year, 18 students were awarded scholarships. 

The best students are considered those who, in certain scientific disciplines, possess particular preferences for scientific or artistic work, have awards gained at international and national competitions, and who, according to the curriculum of the institution of higher education at which they study, have passed all the exams from previous years of study and have achieved success index at least 9.00.

In awarding grants, preference is given to applicants who have a higher average grade, ie index of success during their studies, as well as a large number of awards won at national and international competitions. Also, when awarding and determining the number of grants, consideration is given to the representation of study programs in the natural or social sciences and humanities.

Besides grants, in accordance with criteria prescribed by the annual call for co-financing tuition fee at master and doctoral studies in the country and abroad and travel expenses for study periods abroad, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation co-finances tuition fee to master study candidates in the amount of 750 EUR, and to doctoral students in the amount of 1,500 EUR.

Accommodation in Dormitories

Students educated outside their place of residence, who have enrolled a certain grade of the ongoing school year for the first time, as well as higher education students educated outside their place of residence, who have enrolled a semester of the relevant year of studies for the first time and have not changed their study programme, as well as students attending one of the secondary schools in Montenegro, are entitled to dormitory accommodation.

Students with special educational needs are entitled to accommodation, with consideration of their special needs.

Concerning accommodation, dormitories purposefully designate up to 7% of its capacities for accommodating students from the most vulnerable groups of society and social security beneficiaries in line with the social welfare regulations. Currently free accommodation is used by two students of the RE community.

The right to accommodation and food in the dormitory is exercised by 400 pupils and 1750 students, of which 2200 use only food services. By amending the Rulebook on criteria, manner and conditions and amount of compensation for exercising the right to accommodation, food and student loan, scholarship and transportation participation, it is possible for students of two-year master's studies to exercise the right to accommodation.