The project aimed to provide the basis for major national policy reforms in Croatia that would contribute to ensuring equitable and transparent access to higher education (HE) by removing financial obstacles to HE. The project resulted in a policy framework that presents a concrete proposal of the new HE funding and student support system in Croatia.
The limited availability of data in Croatia indicates that individuals from poorer backgrounds may be underrepresented in HE and that the current HE funding and student support system does not provide adequate mechanisms for ensuring equitable access to HE. In this context, financial obstacles are a key issue: Croatia has seen a rise both of tuition fee levels and of the proportion of students who pay fees, without having clear regulations regarding criteria for setting tuition levels or for public funding of universities, and with few universities offering tuition waivers based on social background of students. Moreover, the rise of students’ costs has not been accompanied by a review of the student support system, which, despite significant expenditures, does not target support to those students that are the most in need. This combination risks causing inequities in access to HE in Croatia.
As part of the project, three surveys were conducted on the social status of students in Croatia and their financing; a framework for public policies in the area of the support system for students of lower socioeconomic status was created and published; in addition, a national coordination group was established and staff were recruited to implement the framework.
More information about the Project can be found on the partner's website.