Turkey is a country that values equal access to education for students with disabilities. If you are an international student with disabilities, you can apply for various scholarships offered by both the state and universities and foundations in Turkey.turkey is a country that values equal access to education for students with disabilities.s a country that values equal access to education for students with disabilitboth the
At first, some students think that these supports are only for Turkish citizens, but this is not the case. In recent years, especially the Turkey Scholarships program and special quotas of universities have opened doors for foreign disabled students.
Universities are taking serious steps towards physical accessibility. There are many applications such as stair-free entrances, elevator systems and special education technologies. For detailed accessibility practices, be sure to check our article titled Accessibility for Students with Disabilities in Turkey.
Scholarships Offered by the State and Universities
Turkey Scholarships program is one of the leading scholarships provided by the government. This program provides full scholarships to international students at different levels (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral). Although there is no special quota for students with disabilities, additional support can be requested by reporting the health status during the application process.
Some state and foundation universities also offer special scholarships or services for students with disabilities.
Comparative Scholarship Table
Below is a brief comparison of a few featured scholarships:
| Scholarship Name | Who Can Apply? | Scope | Application Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Scholarships | All foreign students | Monthly scholarship, accommodation, health | January – February |
| Boğaziçi University Scholarship | Successful disabled foreign students | Tuition fee, food, housing | After university entrance |
| Ankara University Accessibility Scholarship | Foreign students with disabilities | Partial scholarship, technical support | Student affairs period |
For more details, you can visit the official website of Turkey Scholarships.
Additional Support from Foundations and Civil Society Organizations
There are other sources besides the state for disabled foreign students studying in Turkey. Some large foundations and non-governmental organizations open scholarship programs especially for disadvantaged groups. Foreigners are among the students who apply for these scholarships every year.
Supporting Institutions
- Darüşşafaka Society: It can offer housing and education scholarships to disabled and underprivileged students. Although Turkish students are usually prioritized, foreign students can also be included in some projects.
- TEGV (Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey): Although it works mostly at the primary education level, it has collaborations that support university scholarship programs.
- Support from the Ministry of Family and Social Services: For foreign students studying in Turkey, indirect support (technical equipment, transportation assistance) can play a role, although not directly.
It is very important to contact these organizations and find out which programs are open to international students. You can facilitate this process by getting support from Road to Study.
How to Apply for a Scholarship? Required Documents and Requirements
The most important thing to consider when applying for scholarships in Turkey is to find out whether the program you are applying for is open to international students and whether it offers additional support for students with disabilities. The application requirements of each institution may be slightly different, but in most cases similar documents are required.
Documents Required for Application
It is a good idea to prepare the following documents before applying:
- Valid passport or identity document
- Last education diploma (if you graduated) or student certificate
- Transcript (transcript)
- Official report certifying disability status (in English or Turkish translation)
- Motivational letter (explaining why you want to study in Turkey)
- Language proficiency certificate (TOEFL, TÖMER, etc., if available)
- Reference letters (mandatory for some scholarships)
Some scholarship programs require online applications, while others require physical submission of documents. Especially for official scholarships such as Turkey Scholarships, applications are completely digital.
It is important to be honest about your disability when you apply so that you can receive appropriate accommodation and study support. Many universities offer physical accessibility support on their campuses and consider this information in the application process.
Being a Disabled Student in Turkey: Experiences and Advice
For students with disabilities who want to study in Turkey, scholarships are only part of the job. The question is how much support you can find for the challenges you may face in everyday life. Fortunately, many cities and universities have taken serious steps in this regard.
Accessible Campuses and Living Spaces
Accessible campus activities have gained momentum, especially in universities in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Eskişehir. For example:
- Boğaziçi University: Thanks to the Disabled Student Unit, ramps, elevators and special transportation services are common on campus.
- Ankara University: There are special library systems that provide technical support for the visually and hearing impaired.
- Yildiz Technical University: Offers accessible dormitories and counseling services.
Outside the campus, there are also some facilities in city transportation. In Turkey, public transportation is free for disabled people and foreign students can also benefit from this right if they have a “residence permit”. Of course, the application may not be the same in every city, so I recommend you to do research according to the city
If you are a student with a disability who wants to study in Turkey, you may be curious not only about scholarship opportunities, but also about society’s attitudes towards people with disabilities. If you would like more information on this subject, you can take a look at our article Social Attitudes Towards the Elderly and People with Disabilities in Turkey.
Conclusion: Now is the Time to Step Up
Turkey is becoming increasingly inclusive for foreign students with disabilities. Scholarship opportunities are wide, campuses are accessible, and many institutions are working hard to help these students succeed. Although the conditions may seem complicated, it is possible to manage this process with the right information.
Act now, there is a suitable study opportunity waiting for you in Turkey.