YÖK’s Decision on Suspension of University Registration by Students

Announcement Regarding the Council of Higher Education (YÖK)’s Decision on Suspension of University Registration by Students

Dear Türkiye Scholarships Students,

As part of the precautions being taken in Turkey against Covid-19 outbreak that is affecting the entire world, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) had previously decided that no face-to-face education will be carried out in the spring term of 2019-2020 academic year and education will only be carried out through methods of distance, open and digital learning. Depending on this decision, as YTB, we had declared that those students who are continuing their education via methods which were suggested by YÖK will continue to benefit from all scholarship supports as usual and students who wish return to their home countries will be allowed to leave provided that they sign a written letter of commitment.

With a new decision taken on April 1, 2020, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), based on the contention that some students who returned to their home countries may have difficulties in accessing computer and internet facilities, announced that students who wish so, could suspend their university enrollment in the spring semester of 2019-2020 academic year. In the same announcement, it was declared that spring semester of 2019-2020 academic year will not be deducted from the period of study and whether postgraduate students who are at dissertation stage may continue their education through distance learning methods or may suspend their enrollment will be decided by administrative committees of each university depending on views of thesis advisors (https://www.yok.gov.tr/Sayfalar/Haberler/2020/erteleme-ve-kayit-dondurma-hakki.aspx).

In line with these decisions taken by the Council of Higher Education, students who wish to suspend their university enrollment, especially those who are abroad and have problems in accessing distance learning facilities, can apply to their universities and suspend their university enrollment. Students who suspend their university enrollment, must inform YTB via Türkiye Scholarships Information System (TBBS) as soon as possible, in order to suspend their scholarship status. This period will not be deducted from the period of scholarship, for students who suspend their university enrollment.

Students who wish to, can continue their education via methods of distance, open and digital learning. Regardless of whether they are in Turkey or abroad, scholarship supports provided by YTB will continue for our students who continue their education.

Especially in the fields of health sciences / technical sciences / applied sciences, especially in departments that require laboratory work and / or in which it is compulsory to attend the classes, our students' scholarships status will be continued in case of suspension of education related to reasons other than students’ own.

Within this period, it is of utmost importance to follow the announcements made by YTB, YÖK and your university administration.

Kind Regards,

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I want to suspend my university enrollment, what should I do?

In order to suspend your university enrollment, you should carry out all the required procedures by contacting with your university and inform our Presidency through TBBS (Türkiye Scholarships Information System) afterwards.

I'm in Turkey, can I suspend my university enrollment in accordance with the relevant decision made by YÖK?

In line with the relevant decision of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), all students who wish to, will be able to suspend their university enrollment regardless of whether they are in Turkey or abroad. But as Türkiye Scholarships Committee, we recommend suspension of university registration only to those students who are abroad and will not be able to attend online courses as a result of being unable to access internet or computer facilities.

From what opportunities will I not be able to benefit when I suspend my university enrollment and scholarship?

Students whose scholarships are suspended will not only be able to benefit from monthly scholarship payments but will continue to benefit from other scholarship supports. Our students who continue their education with distant teaching methods will continue to benefit from all scholarship supports.

Will suspension of university enrollment and scholarship affect my study and scholarship period?

No. The time that you suspend your university enrollment and scholarship will not be deducted from the period of study and scholarship.

I am outside Turkey, I am able to continue to my studies via distance learning methods, do I have to suspend my scholarship?

No. Those students who are outside Turkey and able to continue their studies via distance, open and digital learning methods are not required to suspend their scholarships. Scholarship supports offered to them by our Presidency will continue as usual.

I'm a graduate student, will my scholarship be suspended?

Our students who are studying at postgraduate level and are still in the class period may continue their education with the methods of distance, open and digital learning or may suspend their university enrollment if they wish. If they suspend their enrollment, their scholarships will be suspended accordingly.

Whether our students who are at dissertation and thesis qualification stage can continue to their studies via distance learning methods or be able to apply for suspension of university enrollment will be decided by the university administrative boards by taking the opinions of thesis advisors into account.

I am studying in the field of health sciences / technical sciences / applied sciences. I need to do laboratory work / I need to continue formal education at the university. It is not appropriate for me to get distance / digital learning because of the necessities of my department. What should I do?

Students who are studying in the fields of health sciences / technical sciences / applied sciences, who need to do laboratory work and / or attend universities as required by their university programs, should apply to their universities / advisors. If it is decided to suspend their enrollments as a result of this application, they must submit their documents as to the suspension of their enrollment to our Presidency via TBBS.

What should I do to start receiving my monthly scholarship payment after reactivating my university enrollment?

Students who will start their education in the following academic term (2020-2021 fall semester) must make university enrollment and inform our Presidency. Our students can make necessary notification to our Presidency by submitting their up-to-date student certificate via Turkey Scholarships Information System (TBBS).

Will the students, whose scholarship is reactivated after suspension be able to get their monthly scholarships that they did not receive during the scholarship freezing period?

No. Those students whose scholarship status are reactivated upon relaunching of university registration, are not reimbursed.