The Russian government is moving to broaden access to higher education for students who participate in special military operations by allowing them to transition from paid study to fully funded, budget-based places. This policy shift, reported by Kommersant and highlighted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, builds on existing programs designed to support combatants and their families within the educational sphere. While it remains unclear how many students will take up the new option, Oleg Tsapko, who leads the All-Russian Student Union, notes that the majority of students still begin their studies under traditional, paid terms. The leadership of the rectors’ council emphasizes the importance of having transparent financial mechanisms and comprehensive guidance to ensure smooth implementation. (Source: Kommersant).
A draft resolution published on regulation.gov.ru outlines additional benefits for participants in special military operations, specifically permitting students who are actively engaged in hostilities to move from a paid educational track to a free budget-based pathway. This mechanism is intended to recognize service alongside academic progression and to reduce any interruptions in education resulting from deployment or service-related duties. In practical terms, the application requires documentation confirming status as a participant in the operation, and the final decisions on transfers will be made by commissions formed by the individual educational institutions themselves. (Source: regulation.gov.ru).
Valery Falkov, the education minister, stated that the initiative follows directives from President Vladimir Putin to support service members and to sustain their integration into the educational process. He framed the move as part of a broader strategy to acknowledge military service as a personal achievement and to enable a seamless shift from paid to budget-based training. The aim is to preserve the well-being and active engagement of participants in special military operations, ensuring their continued educational participation even amid service obligations. (Source: Ministry of Science and Higher Education statements).
In late 2022, amendments to the Education Law introduced a dedicated quota designed to protect access for a new cohort of applicants. This quota guarantees that at least 10 percent of all budget places in each field of study go to groups such as Heroes of Russia, recipients of multiple Courage Medals, and the children of those who have died, become disabled, or fallen seriously ill. Notably, applicants in these categories can enroll without entrance examinations, while children of other special military operation participants may choose between intra-university tests or the Unified State Exam. By the end of May, the ministry had issued guidelines to educational institutions to support the policy’s rollout and practical application. (Source: Education Law amendments).
These measures sit within a broader landscape of policy discussions in the region. While Russia negotiates terms and mechanisms for expanding educational access in response to military developments, neighboring countries, including Canada and the United States, continue to evaluate how such policies intersect with student aid, admissions fairness, and national service expectations. The evolving policy framework underscores a shift toward recognizing the educational needs of service members while balancing academic standards and resource allocation. (Source: regional policy coverage).