The Latvian State Scholarship for Studies is a monthly stipend from the Latvian government for international students at Latvian universities. It is run by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA, also called SEDA) for the Ministry of Education and Science. The money is real and steady, EUR 500 to EUR 700 a month depending on your level, but it pays for living costs only. Tuition is your problem. If you go in understanding that, this scholarship can make a Riga degree a lot more affordable. If you go in expecting a free ride, you will be disappointed. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing before reading on.
The other thing to settle early is eligibility. This is a nationality-based scheme. It is offered to citizens of countries that have signed a bilateral education and science cooperation agreement with Latvia, plus some countries that offer reciprocal scholarships to Latvian citizens. Pakistan is not named here as a confirmed partner country, so Pakistani students need to check VIAA's published partner-country list for the year they are applying before spending any time on documents.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding type | Partial funding (monthly stipend, no tuition waiver) |
| Stipend | EUR 500 (Bachelor's), EUR 600 (Master's), EUR 700 (PhD) per month |
| Levels | Bachelor's (from second year onward), Master's, PhD |
| Deadline | 1 April each year, for the following academic year (applications open 1 February) |
| Country | Latvia |
| Administered by | State Education Development Agency (VIAA/SEDA) |
| Official site | VIAA Latvian State Scholarships |
Why your passport matters more than your grades here
Most scholarships open with grades and essays. This one opens with citizenship. If your country is not on VIAA's partner list for that cycle, nothing else in your application counts. The list is revised periodically, so a friend's experience from an earlier year is not proof that you qualify now.
For a Pakistani applicant, the practical move is simple. Open the official VIAA scholarship page, find the current list of eligible countries, and look for Pakistan. If you are unsure how to read it, VIAA can be contacted directly at info@viaa.gov.lv for country-specific questions. That is a better use of an email than relying on a listing site, including this one, for a yes or no on nationality.
What EUR 500 to EUR 700 a month actually pays for
The stipend is tiered by level:
- Bachelor's and second-level professional higher education students get EUR 500 per month.
- Master's students get EUR 600 per month.
- PhD and doctoral candidates get EUR 700 per month.
Bachelor's and Master's students can be funded for up to 10 months per academic year. Doctoral researchers can be funded for up to 11 months. The award can be renewed for a second consecutive academic year, but only through reapplication and with satisfactory academic progress. Do not assume year two is automatic.
There is no tuition waiver. Most people who win this award pay tuition themselves, or through their institution or a third party, and use the stipend for rent, food and daily costs. Latvia has a lower cost of living than Western Europe, which is why a stipend at this level can go a reasonable distance. Still, work out your full budget with tuition included before you get attached to the idea.
The presence rule that controls each payment
Payments are not sent just because you won. To trigger a given month's stipend, you must document that you were physically present and actively studying in Latvia for a minimum number of days that month. The scheme is meant for students living in the country, not distance learners. If you plan long trips home during term, check how that affects your payments before you book. Once you are in Latvia, keep your proof of presence organised month by month.
The second-year rule for Bachelor's students
This is the eligibility detail that trips up younger applicants. Bachelor's students can only apply once they have completed at least one full academic year of higher education, at a home institution or elsewhere. A student finishing FSc or A Levels in Pakistan cannot use this scholarship to fund the first year of a Bachelor's in Latvia.
Master's and PhD applicants have more freedom and may apply from any prior institution. The full eligibility conditions are:
- Citizenship of a partner country, or a country offering reciprocal scholarships to Latvian citizens (check the current VIAA list each cycle).
- For Bachelor's applicants, at least one completed academic year of higher education.
- Admission to, or an active application with, an accredited Latvian higher education institution for the study period.
- Good academic standing, shown through transcripts and academic references.
- The ability to be physically present and studying in Latvia for the funded period.
You do not need to already be enrolled in Latvia. The scholarship can support a full degree if you have secured, or are in the process of securing, admission. It can also fund a defined study or research period as a visiting or exchange student.
Getting admission sorted before VIAA sees your file
The scholarship and university admission are two separate processes. You apply to the university through its own admissions system, and you apply to VIAA for the stipend. Evidence of admission, or an invitation letter from the host institution, is central to a competitive application, so the university side should be moving first or at least in parallel.
Any accredited Latvian higher education institution is eligible. The ones most international students look at are the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University and Riga Stradins University (RSU). English-taught programmes are common at Master's and PhD level, and the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University run English-taught programmes in sciences, engineering, IT and social sciences. RSU is well known for English-medium Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy.
Both RSU and RTU publish their own pages on this scholarship: RSU's Latvian State Scholarship information and RTU's Latvian State Scholarships page. The Study in Latvia scholarships page is another useful starting point.
A note for MBBS and dentistry applicants
Many Pakistani students looking at Latvia are really looking at RSU for Medicine or Dentistry. The stipend can be used there by citizens of eligible countries, but tuition at RSU is separate and substantial. Treat the stipend as help with living costs, not as funding for the degree. And remember the Bachelor's-level rule above: if your programme is treated at that level, you would need to have completed a year of higher education before applying.
The paperwork VIAA asks for
You will upload these through the online portal:
- The completed online application form
- A copy of your valid passport
- Your CV
- A motivation letter
- Academic transcripts and copies of previous diplomas or degrees
- A recommendation letter from an academic referee
- Proof of admission, enrolment, or an official invitation letter from the Latvian institution
- Proof of language proficiency in English or Latvian, depending on your programme
The list is short, but each item needs care. Your motivation letter should explain why Latvia and why your chosen programme, in specific terms. A generic letter recycled from other applications is easy to spot. For Pakistani transcripts and degrees, give yourself time for attestation if your university asks for it; our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains that process, and the documents checklist for international scholarships helps with the rest.
From 1 February to a September start
The cycle runs once a year through VIAA's portal at scholarships.viaa.gov.lv. Applications typically open on 1 February and close on 1 April for the following academic year. As an example, the 2026/2027 cycle ran from 1 February to 1 April 2026.
- Choose your institution and programme, and apply for admission through the university.
- Confirm your country appears on VIAA's eligible list for the relevant academic year.
- Register on the VIAA portal once the call opens, around 1 February.
- Complete the form and upload every document, including your admission or invitation letter.
- Submit before 1 April.
- If you are selected, coordinate with VIAA and your university on arrival, registration and the monthly presence requirement.
Results are typically announced by mid-year on VIAA's website, but timing varies from cycle to cycle. Most Latvian institutions start the academic year in September. Dates can shift, so confirm the current year's opening and closing dates on the official portal rather than planning around last year's.
Where applicants usually go wrong
The most common mistake is treating this as a fully funded award. It is a partial scholarship. If you cannot cover tuition, winning the stipend does not get you to Latvia. Keep in mind that your visa application will also be judged on your ability to pay; our guide to bank statements and proof of funds is worth reading early.
The second mistake is skipping the nationality check. Eligibility depends on the partner list, and the list changes.
Third, leaving everything to March. The portal opens on 1 February. Applying soon after it opens gives you room to fix a missing document. Waiting until the last days before 1 April does not.
Fourth, ignoring double funding. This scholarship cannot be held at the same time as certain other Latvian or foreign scholarships that cover the same costs. If you are applying for several awards, check the restrictions before you submit.
Who is this a good fit for? A Master's or PhD student from an eligible country who can pay tuition and wants help with living costs in an EU country, at a programme taught in English. Competition is also described as relatively lower than for the larger European government schemes. Who should skip it? Anyone who needs tuition covered, and Bachelor's applicants who have not yet finished a year of university.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Latvian State Scholarship fully funded?
No. It is a partial scholarship. You get a monthly stipend of EUR 500 to EUR 700 depending on level, and tuition has to be arranged separately with your university.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Only if Pakistan is on VIAA's current list of eligible countries for the cycle you are applying in. Eligibility is tied to bilateral agreements and reciprocal arrangements with Latvia, and the list is updated periodically. Check the official VIAA page or email info@viaa.gov.lv.
Can I apply before getting admission to a Latvian university?
You should have admission secured or be actively pursuing it. Proof of admission or an invitation letter from the institution is part of the application, so start the university process first or run both together.
Can I use it for my first year of a Bachelor's degree?
No. Bachelor's applicants must have completed at least one full academic year of higher education before applying.
How long is the stipend paid?
Up to 10 months per academic year for Bachelor's and Master's students and up to 11 months for PhD candidates. It can be renewed for a second consecutive year through reapplication, if your academic progress is satisfactory.
Is it available for Medicine at Riga Stradins University?
Yes, citizens of eligible countries admitted to RSU's Medicine, Dentistry or other programmes can apply for the stipend to help with living costs. Tuition is paid separately.
Before you apply, check the current rules and partner list on the official VIAA website, and keep our Latvian State Scholarship page handy for the key details.