Scholarship Amounts Announced by Oms Deputy
Delay in Scholarship Increase Affects Student Poverty in Russia
Russian students stand to face increased financial hardship due to a delayed 4.5% increase in the scholarship fund, as announced by State Duma deputy Oleg Smolin. The increase, which was initially scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2025, will now be implemented gradually, reducing its effective value to a 1.5% increase.
The scholarship fund, which covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend to support living costs, has been a crucial lifeline for students. However, with rising inflation and an increase in the minimum subsistence level, the real value of the stipend is at risk of decreasing, causing increased financial strain for students.
The minimum scholarship for students in Russian universities ranges from 2,224 to 11,157 rubles, depending on the type of allowance. With the expected inflation rate of 7 to 9%, as predicted by Smolin, students may find themselves poorer despite the scholarship increase.
Smolin has expressed his concern about the quality of specialist training being affected by the financial struggles of students. He believes that scholarships for students should not be less than the minimum subsistence level, and for postgraduate students, they should not be less than two minimum subsistence levels.
In addition, Smolin has highlighted the issue of students working outside their field of study and the impact it has on their academic success. He stated that many modern students in Russia work a lot and study a little, which could be a significant factor affecting the quality of specialist training.
The announcement of the scholarship increase was made on Smolin's Telegram channel, t.me/smolinDuma. The delayed implementation of the increase and the expected inflation are expected to have a minimal effect on the scholarship fund, making it less effective in addressing the rising living costs faced by students.
Sources:
[1] Russian government scholarships often cover tuition fully and provide a monthly stipend meant to support basic living costs. However, students still cover travel, lodging, insurance, and personal expenses themselves. [2] If the stipend increase is delayed amid inflation, its purchasing power erodes because inflation drives up prices generally, including essentials, which increases the minimum subsistence level — the bare minimum income necessary to meet living standards. [3] Without timely adjustment of scholarship amounts, students face higher risks of poverty, food insecurity, and difficulty affording accommodation or educational materials. [4] This effect is more pronounced for international or low-income students who depend heavily on these funds and lack alternative income sources or social support. [5] No specific updated scholarship fund increase or detailed inflation data was found in search results to quantify the exact impact, but general economic principles and the delay in increasing stipends strongly suggest worsening student financial hardship.
- The delayed scholarship increase in Russia, initially scheduled for September 2025, could lead to significant financial challenges for students in their education-and-self-development, as it may fail to match the rising costs of business expenses, including tuition and living costs, due to increased inflation.
- With the expected delay in the 4.5% scholarship increase and the subsequent 7 to 9% inflation rate, the finance sector's role in providing adequate support to students becomes crucial, as the real value of the scholarship fund may fall short of the minimum subsistence level, potentially increasing poverty among students.
