International students across the globe can now apply for the annually-awarded Turkey Scholarships.
Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) said foreign students around the world who want to study at prestigious universities in Turkey may apply online, as applications opened Tuesday and will be available until Feb. 20.
Turkey awards scholarships to international students every year, opening the door to educational experiences and international opportunities.
Granted to the most qualified students, Turkey Scholarships are financed by the Turkish government. The scholarship aims to cement cooperation between countries and promote a mutual understanding between people.
The applications can only be made through the "www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr" website. International candidates should submit their required information or documents through the application system on this website by Feb. 20. The application is free of charge.
Scholarship applications made by regular mail, courier or by hand will not be accepted.
Students will also be able to track the status of their applications on the website.
Candidates wanting to pursue their undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees at Turkish universities are eligible to apply for this program.
Some 135,000 students applied for the Turkey Scholarships in 2018. There are a total of 17,500 scholarship students from 160 countries in Turkey who currently benefit from this program.
Turkey launched the program in 1992 and YTB has been coordinating it since 2012.
Thanks to this scholarship program, many international students serve for their own countries after completing their education in Turkey and form friendly ties between their countries and Turkey.
Every year, Turkey awards this scholarship to an average of 7,000 students.
After the application process, students are invited to interview in nearly 100 locations worldwide.
Candidates who are successful in their interviews, which are conducted by scholars and YTB experts, come to Turkey and take Turkish classes during their first year. Afterward, they are placed at universities based on their preferences.
The scholarships include accommodation, food, monthly pocket money and insurance, as well as flights to Turkey and back home.