Definition of the Target group(s)

This category includes representatives of socially excluded groups, as well as:

• orphans;
• people with visual or hearing impairing;
• handicapped people with long-term disabilities and reduction of the ability to work by 70 percent or more;
• handicapped war veterans;
• persons raised at orphanages until they become of age;
• mothers of children below the age of six;
• people in need of direct clinical observation.

Specific Support Measures

For socially excluded and disadvantaged groups, universities provide preferential arrangements for admission. They provide additional incentives for persons raised at orphanages until they become of age, disabled persons with long-term disabilities and reduction of the ability to work by 70 percent or more, orphans and mothers of children below the age of six. There has been a consistent and targeted policy in recent years aiming to improve the conditions for training of students with special educational needs, which has already yielded positive results. Some of the specific measures are: designed and specially equipped places for students with disabilities of the musculoskeletal system, reduced hearing or visually impaired; easier access to buildings and others. Nationally representative associations of the disabled persons provide specialist advice and information for students with special educational needs related to additional opportunities for financial and social support.

During the course of study these students benefit from the following:

• Exemption from payment of semester fees at state universities;
• Scholarships from the state budget with no minimim grade requirements;
• Accommodation in student dormitories without waiting for placement;
• Reduced rent in students dormitories in the amount of 30 percent of the rent;

A milestone in the Bulgarian legislation is the adopted in 2010 Act for crediting undergraduate and graduate students. It aims to create conditions for improving the quality and facilitating access to higher education in Bulgaria. Additional funds for scholarships are provided through the European Social Fund Operational Programme “Human Resources Development”.