Degree study allowance

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Name of the instrument - Local language
Tasemeõppes osalemise toetus
Name of the instrument - English translation
Degree study allowance
Scheme ID
281
Country
Estonia
Reporting year
2020
Type of instrument
Grant for individuals
Sub-type of instrument
Lump-sum support
Type of entry
Single instrument
Short description

All individuals meeting at least one of the pre-determined criteria (i.e. applicant has completed basic or general (and not professional or vocational) secondary education at least five years ago, or has obtained professional or vocational education 15 years ago or earlier, or do not continue working in the current position due to health-related circumstances, or is employed and is between 16 years old and retirement age) can apply for a financial grant. The preferential treatment for particular applicants is not applied. The applicant receives a fixed monthly allowance directly to her/his bank account. The amount of the grant allocated per person depends on the nominal study period. The maximum amount for employed persons is EUR 180 per month, for unemployed persons EUR 270 per month. The allowance can be used to cover training costs. In order to receive a fixed monthly allowance, a trainee has to attend training on a regular basis. There is an opportunity for re-use of the grant for different educational levels (BA, MA, PhD)

Not applicable
Level of operation
National
Name of a part of the country
Not applicable
Name of the region (for regional instruments)
Not applicable
Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)
Not applicable
Relevance
Key instrument
Tööhõiveprogramm 2017-2020 (directive) under Labour Market Services and Benefits Act §4 (1) (2006)
Objective(s) and target(s)
The instrument is part of the larger 'Work and Study' Programme 2017-2020. According to the respective act (Tööhõiveprogramm 2017-2020, 2016), the overall objectives of the programme are the following: 'to alleviate labor shortages, prevent unemployment and shorten the duration of unemployment, and assist persons whose employment is difficult due to long-term unemployment or other obstacles.' (§2)
Year of implementation
2017
Year of latest amendment
2020
Operation/management
This instrument is managed by the Unemployment Insurance Fund and is funded from the Unemployment Insurance contributions (from the second half of 2020 it is also funded from the European Social Fund). Annual budget allocations are stipulated in the founding legal act (Tööhõiveprogramm 2017-2020, 2016) and changes are made in consultation with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Social partner bodies (trade unions and employer associations/federations) are not involved in the operation/ management process of the grant.
Eligible group(s)
Both employed and unemployed are eligible for this support measure. The eligibility criteria imply that the applicant needs to meet at least one of the following requirements: 1. No professional or vocational education but basic or general secondary (upper secondary) education was completed at least 5 years ago; 2. Professional or vocational education was obtained 15 years ago or earlier; 3. An applicant cannot continue working in one's current position due to health-related circumstances. Applicants can only apply before commencing the studies. For employed, an applicant should be between 16 and retirement age and work on the basis of an employment contract (or under the law of obligations or in public service).
Group(s) with preferential treatment
No preferential treatment
Education and training eligible
The degree study allowance is valid for any of the supported formal study programmes listed and prioritized according to the Work and Study priority areas, which include some 400 programmes in applied education institutions (various levels) and higher education institutions (including Bachelor's level studies), ranging from 6 months to 4 years. The eligible level of obtaining a qualification is ISCED 2-5. Study programmes are mostly taught in the Estonian language, some in the Russian language, and some - in English. The list of study programmes is updated twice a year (1 January and 1 July) by the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
Source of financing and collection mechanism
Contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund; National budget (minor allocations); European Social Fund (from second half of 2020).
Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
An individual meeting pre-determined criteria can apply to receive the grant. The amount of funding is determined by the nominal study period, which is different for each study programme. It can range from 180 EUR/month (employed, with other income) to 270 (unemployed, no other income). The fixed monthly allowance is transferring directly to the learner via her / his bank account during the nominal study period. The requirement to receive an allowance is regular course attendance. There is opportunity to re-use the grant for differet educational levels.
Eligible costs
The allowance can be used for covering any expenses: living, tuitions, etc.
Volumes of funding
Overall volumes of funding available:2018: EUR 1 054 2182019: EUR 1 899 9452020: EUR 2 643 692Overall volumes of funding actually disbursed:2017: EUR 117 8402018: EUR 1 013 3502019: EUR 1 938 690
Beneficiaries/take up
Total number of beneficiaries:2017: 3112018: 8242019: 958
Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund
Monitoring/evaluation reports available
Not available
Most relevant webpage - in English
https://www.tootukassa.ee/eng/content/prevention-unemployment/degree-st…
Most relevant webpage - local language
https://www.tootukassa.ee/content/tootuse-ennetamine/tasemeoppes-osalem…
Recent changes

01-08-2020 - Change in sources of funds: this instrument is financed from the European Social Fund. - Change in requirements: no need to have paid 12-month equivalent of unemployment insurance contributions. - Change in allowance: 180 EUR/month to all who employed and receives additional income and 270 EUR/month to all unemployed and with no additional income. funding structure and in making the instrument more attractive to the target group.

Recent changes in response to COVID-19

No changes

Sources
Unemployment Insurance Fundhttps://www.tootukassa.ee/eg/
State Gazzette of Estonia https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/104052018013
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