​The Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth of the Slovak Republic offers scholarships for talented students from around the world. If you want to receive up to €15,000 for full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s studies in Central Europe, this guide will show you how to apply.

Quick Overview of the Slovakia Scholarship

Before you start the step-by-step process, make sure you meet these main requirements:

• Funding Body: Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic
• Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Joint Bachelor’s + Master’s, and Master’s degrees
• Financial Value: €5,000 per academic year. This is paid out directly as a monthly stipend of €500 over a 10-month period from September to June.
• Maximum Funding Cap: Up to €15,000 total, covering up to 3 years for Bachelor’s students and up to 2 years for Master’s students.
• Selection Criterion: Awarded based solely on standardized test results. Applicants must achieve a minimum SAT score of 1100+ or a minimum average percentile of 63rd+ on the SCIO Mathematics and General Study Prerequisites tests.
• Official Application Portal: scholarships.portalvs.sk

The Step-by-Step Application Walkthrough

The application is done completely online. Since you cannot change your files after you submit, follow these steps to avoid mistakes:

1. Set up your account and fill in your basic profile information.

Create your account on the official portal. Go to the “My Profile” section and enter your details exactly as they appear on your international passport. Make sure to check the required GDPR consent box before moving on.

2. Choose your degree and target university.

Open the “Applications” tab. Choose your degree level, then select your preferred Slovak university, faculty, and study track. Make sure your program is listed on the SK RIS3 2021+ Smart Specialization list to stay eligible for funding.

3. Enter your standardized test scores.

Enter your standardized test scores. For the SAT, provide your total score (at least 1100) and your reading/writing and math scores. For SCIO, enter your percentiles for Mathematics (MAT) and General Study Prerequisites (VŠP). Upload your official test certificate here.

4. Upload documents and required declarations.

Upload a notarized, clear scan of your international passport (or national ID if you are an EU/EEA citizen). Download the official templates for the Solemn Declaration of Permanent Residence and the Declaration of Previous Studies in Slovakia. Sign them by hand, scan them, and upload them to the system.

5. Attach your essays and finish your application.

Download the official templates for your Structured CV and Motivation Letter (both must be in English). Upload your completed documents. Double-check all text fields and attached PDFs. When everything is correct, click “Submit Application” to finish.

Strict Eligibility & Submission Rules

Key eligibility rules:

• Standardized Testing: The selection panel will only accept valid SAT or SCIO results. Other tests like ACT, AP, GED, PSAT, or local school certificates are not accepted.
• Slovakia Residence Rule: You cannot apply if you held permanent residency in Slovakia at any time between January 1, 2021, and the application deadline.
• Dual Application: Applying on the scholarship portal is separate from your university application. You must also apply directly to your chosen Slovak university and meet their entry requirements.