In 2026, Latvia is a popular place for international students who want to get a high-quality European education without spending a lot of money on living expenses. The Latvian government and its top universities offer several ways to get money, mostly through bilateral agreements and academic merit.
1. The Latvian State Grant
The State Education Development Agency (VIAA) runs this funding source, which is the most well-known and respected. Students from about 40 partner countries that have signed bilateral agreements with Latvia can use it.
Stipends and Financial Help
The scholarship gives you money each month to help pay for your tuition, housing, and food. The monthly rates for the school year 2026/2027 are:
- Bachelor’s and professional students pay €500 a month.
- Students in the master’s programme pay €600 a month.
- PhD students get €700 a month.
- Research Fellowships: There are also special grants for researchers and academic staff that last up to five months.
The “One-Year” Rule
Latvian state scholarships are typically granted for one academic year (up to 10 months for Bachelor’s/Master’s and 11 months for PhD). You have to reapply every year if your degree takes longer. Please keep in mind that the same person cannot receive the scholarship for more than two consecutive terms (two academic years).
Deadlines and Applications for 2026
- The application window opened on February 1, 2026.
- The last day to do this is April 1, 2026, at midnight Latvian time.
- Results of the selection: Winners are usually told by email in June 2026.
- Before you can apply for the state scholarship, you need to have a formal letter of confirmation from a Latvian higher education institution (HEI). This means that you need to apply to college first.
2. Scholarships for Summer School
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania often work together on summer programmes in the region, but Latvia is the only one that gives out grants for short-term courses.
- Benefit: A grant of about €1,000 that pays for the summer school’s fees, lodging, and meals.
- 2026 Deadline: The deadline for these short-term grants was the same as the general scholarship deadline, which was April 1, 2026.
3. Scholarships for merit at specific universities
If you missed the deadline for the state scholarship or your country isn’t on the list of eligible countries, many Latvian universities have their own internal funding.
The Technical University of Riga (RTU)
RTU is one of the most active companies in hiring people from other countries. They often give students with high grades in STEM subjects a break on or no tuition fees. They still give out special grants to students who are working on new research projects in 2026.
UL, or University of Latvia
The “Patron Scholarships” are run by the University of Latvia Foundation. Private donors and alumni pay for them. They are often aimed at students who don’t have a lot of money or who show great promise in the humanities and social sciences.
The University of Riga Stradiņš (RSU)
RSU offers internal scholarships for students who are already enrolled and do well in their first year of study. These scholarships are mostly for medical and healthcare students.
4. Documents Needed for 2026
You need to send in a full digital portfolio in order to be considered for Latvian funding. You must write all of your papers in English or Latvian.
- Most applications ask for a Europass-style CV.
- A motivation letter is a long letter that explains why you chose Latvia and how your study plan fits with your career goals.
- Academic Transcripts: To get the state scholarship, you must have finished at least one year of college before you can apply for a bachelor’s degree.
- Two letters of recommendation must be from academic staff and signed within the last six months.
- Language Certificate: You usually need to have at least a B2 level of English (IELTS or TOEFL) or proof that you know Latvian well.
5. Advice on how to apply for jobs abroad
The “First Admission” Plan
The biggest mistake applicants make is waiting for the scholarship to open before contacting a university. Since you need a confirmation letter from the university to even submit the scholarship application, you should start the university admission process in December or January.
Bilateral Agreement Check
Always verify that your country is on the eligible list for the 2026/2027 cycle. The list has a lot of European, Asian, and some African countries on it, like Egypt. It is updated every year based on diplomatic agreements.
Balance Between Work and Study
As of 2026, international students in Latvia can usually work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) on a student visa. This is often necessary because the €500–€600 monthly stipend may not be enough to pay for the full cost of tuition in English-taught programmes that are in high demand.
Are you interested in a technical field like engineering or IT, or are you going into the medical or social sciences?