Students on Military Service Who Participated in Combat Operations Are Eligible for Support Program, Minister

During a meeting of the Yerevan State University (YSU) rectorate, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vahe Dumanian discussed the state's tuition reimbursement program for individuals who participated in military operations from September 27 to November 9, 2020.

Considering that the government support program reimburses only the tuition fees for the first semester of the 2020-21 academic year, the president of the YSU student council asked the minister whether students currently in mandatory military service who will be discharged in the next two years—after the specified semester has already passed—will benefit from the support program. There is also concern that some participants in the military operations may lack the necessary documentation and could thus be deprived of assistance.

In response, Minister Dumanian clarified that all students in mandatory military service who have participated in combat operations are eligible for the support program. “If a student has interrupted their education, been drafted into the army, and participated in the war, therefore, after their discharge, if they have a record of participation in combat operations in their military book with the appropriate stamp, then they will definitely benefit from the government's support program. By the end of 2022, we will still have discharged students who participated in the war, and they will receive compensation equivalent to one semester’s tuition fee. If a student has already paid the tuition fee for the first semester of the 2020-21 academic year before being drafted, the government's compensation will be considered an overpayment and will be transferred as payment for the next semester. Even if the student has already completed their education and has made the payment, the first semester's tuition fee will be refunded to them. Of course, this is the minimum the state can do for them,” stated Dumanian, adding that the funds for tuition reimbursement will come from the state budget.

Regarding who qualifies for the support program, there is a clear approach: there must be a basis, meaning a record indicating that the individual has participated in combat operations.