Sakarya University (SAU) implements needs-based financial and social support programmes to assist economically disadvantaged students in meeting their essential living expenses and continuing their higher education. These initiatives are supported by institutional regulations, documented financial-need assessments, and coordinated administrative procedures.
A central component of this approach is the University's Meal Scholarship Programme, established under the Sakarya University Meal Scholarship Directive. Article 1 explicitly identifies successful students from low-income backgrounds as the intended beneficiaries of free lunch or dinner support. The programme covers eligible associate, undergraduate, and postgraduate students.
The programme applies a structured, needs-based selection process. Under Article 6 of the Directive, applications are evaluated on a 100-point scale and ranked according to students' level of financial need. The assessment considers household income, family circumstances, accommodation arrangements, dependent family members, siblings in education, and existing scholarships or student loans. Applicants are required to provide supporting documentation, including family income statements or salary slips, where applicable.
Furthermore, Article 8 establishes an income-related eligibility restriction: with specified exceptions, students who have regular employment or income at or above the minimum-wage level are not eligible for the meal scholarship. This provision reinforces the programme's focus on students experiencing financial disadvantage.
The programme is implemented through a continuous and coordinated institutional mechanism. Under Article 5, scholarship quotas are determined at the beginning of each academic year by the University Executive Board, considering identified needs and available financial resources. After the allocation for international students, 10% of the remaining quota is reserved for students in need identified by the Rectorate.
Applications are submitted through the University's student information system. Academic units verify the supporting documents and forward the lists of eligible students to the Department of Health, Culture and Sports (SKS). Following administrative verification, meal scholarship entitlements are activated through the student card system.
According to Article 9, eligible students receive one free meal per day throughout the academic year, excluding official holidays and weekends. This arrangement provides recurring assistance with essential food expenses and helps reduce the financial pressures that may affect students' ability to continue their studies.
The continuation of the programme is also documented through the University's 2025–2026 Academic Year Meal Scholarship Application Results announcement. This institutional publication provides supporting evidence of the programme's application and selection process during the relevant academic year.
The University's needs-based assistance is complemented by faculty-level scholarship and social support initiatives. The Sakarya University Faculty of Theology Foundation provides scholarships and non-repayable assistance to students in need, including support for accommodation, healthcare, and clothing expenses.
Additional mechanisms, including the University's Part-Time Student Employment Programme and access to the İŞKUR Youth Programme, provide supplementary income-generating opportunities for eligible students. These programmes include income-related eligibility conditions but are not presented as exclusively targeting students in the lowest household-income quintile.
Overall, Sakarya University maintains a structured, recurring, and institutionally coordinated approach to supporting students experiencing financial hardship. Its needs-based meal scholarship programme, supported by documented financial assessments, annual selection procedures, and free meal provision, constitutes the University's principal targeted initiative for reducing essential living costs among low-income students. Complementary scholarships, social assistance, and student employment opportunities further contribute to mitigating financial barriers to higher education.
