AZE.US
Nearly 13,000 students in Azerbaijan discontinued their university education last year, including more than 6,000 who could not afford their tuition fees.
Other students left because of repeated absences or voluntarily withdrew from their programs.
Education experts say universities are legally permitted to dismiss students who fail to pay tuition because fees account for a significant share of institutional funding.
Universities and student organizations provide some assistance to those facing financial hardship. Available options include interest-free student loans, installment plans and tuition support provided through partnerships with private organizations. However, such assistance is often insufficient to cover the full cost.
Experts have called for changes to the rules governing student loans and academic eligibility. They argue that exceptional circumstances should be considered when students miss exams or fall behind academically because of a death in the family or another serious personal emergency.
University representatives stressed that leaving school does not necessarily end a student’s chance of earning a degree. Former students can apply for reinstatement and resume their education within 11 years.
Specialists believe expanding financial support could reduce the number of students forced to leave university because they cannot afford tuition. They point to Nordic countries, where higher education is publicly funded, and Germany, where most public universities charge only a semester-based administrative fee.
AZE.US