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KazNU Expands Access and Provides Comprehensive Support for Students from Low-Income Families

Overview

KazNU Comprehensive Programmes and Support Measures for Students from Low-Income Families

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University implements an institution-wide system of support for students from low-income families. This system is intended to address financial, social and academic barriers, maintain continuity of study and support the successful completion of educational programs.

In accordance with the Concept for the Implementation of Quality Education at Al-Farabi KazNU in the Context of Sustainable Development, the University supports students from the bottom 20% of households by income in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Support is provided across the University and combines measurable targets, dedicated programs, financial and material assistance, food and housing support, academic mentoring, psychological assistance, free legal services and professional development support.

Target for Continuation and Successful Completion

KazNU has established an institution-wide target to prevent students from low-income families from discontinuing their studies for financial or social reasons.

The Program for Academic and Social Support of Students from Low-Income Families for the 2025–2026 academic year establishes a measurable target according to which the social dropout rate among students in this category must not exceed 3%.

This indicator serves as the University’s completion-oriented target for student retention and successful completion. It reflects KazNU’s commitment to supporting the continuous academic progression of students from low-income families towards the completion of their educational programs.

The target social dropout rate of no more than 3% should not be interpreted as a reported graduation rate of 97%. It represents the maximum social dropout rate established by the University, with progress monitored regularly.

The Program also establishes an average GPA target of at least 2.8, a student satisfaction target of at least 80%, dormitory accommodation coverage of at least 95% of students in the target group who require housing, and grants for at least 400 students.

Academic and Social Support Program

The main institutional mechanism is the Program for Academic and Social Support of Students from Low-Income Families for the 2025–2026 academic year.

The Program is designed to ensure equal educational opportunities, improve academic performance, support students’ adaptation to the University environment, prevent withdrawal for financial and social reasons, strengthen social resilience, support consistent progress towards completion, develop professional and leadership potential, and facilitate graduate employment.

A student’s low-income status is confirmed through the relevant supporting documents. This information is used to establish a register of students in the target group, provide appropriate services and monitor Program outcomes.

Academic, Psychological and Adaptation Support

To prevent students from falling behind academically, KazNU appoints academic mentors and curators, provides additional consultations in key academic disciplines and regularly analyses the academic performance of Program participants.

Particular attention is given to the early identification of students experiencing academic, financial or social difficulties. These students may receive individual support, assistance in organising their studies, time-management training and support in adapting to the University environment.

Psychological support includes individual and group consultations, adaptation meetings, assistance with emotional and social difficulties, and activities designed to strengthen motivation and psychological resilience. These measures help reduce the impact of financial and social stress on academic performance and the risk of withdrawal.

Food Support

Providing free meals to students experiencing financial hardship is one of KazNU’s main areas of social support.

Students from low-income and other socially vulnerable families receive free single-use meal vouchers that can be used at University dining facilities.

During the 2024–2025 academic year, 250 students received vouchers in October and November, 30 students in February, 70 students in March and 200 students in April. A total of 550 students received free meal vouchers during the academic year.

The initiative continued in the 2025–2026 academic year. In November 2025, an additional 60 free meal vouchers were provided to students from low-income families and other socially vulnerable groups.

Food support helps meet students’ basic needs, reduce their daily financial burden and create conditions for full participation in the learning process.

Housing Support

KazNU considers students’ social and financial circumstances when allocating places in student dormitories. Students from low-income families may submit documents confirming their social status and need for accommodation.

Decisions are made by a designated commission, taking into account the availability of places, confirmed social status, financial circumstances, housing conditions, and unforeseen family or financial circumstances.

The Academic and Social Support Program provides for dormitory accommodation coverage of at least 95% of students in the target group who require housing. Access to a student dormitory helps reduce living expenses and the risk of students discontinuing their studies for financial reasons.

Financial and Material Assistance

Students from low-income families may receive social educational grants, tuition fee discounts, emergency financial assistance, support through the Komek Public Fund, free meals, housing support and other forms of assistance included in the University’s student social support package.

Support is provided on the basis of an application and documents confirming the student’s social status or financial hardship.

KazNU’s report on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals for 2024–2025 states that more than 400 students received various forms of social support, including one-time material assistance, educational grants, financial benefits, food support and housing assistance.

Transportation Support

The Academic and Social Support Program provides for the possibility of subsidised transportation for students from low-income families. This measure is intended to reduce the daily costs associated with attending classes and accessing University facilities.

Transportation support is presented as a measure provided for under the Program. It is not reported as a quantitatively confirmed outcome in the absence of separate published data on actual recipients.

Free Legal Assistance

KazNU operates a Student Legal Clinic that provides legal consultations free of charge.

Students, including those from low-income families, may receive a free initial consultation, assistance in preparing applications, complaints and other legal documents, and information about their rights and available social protection mechanisms.

Consultations are provided by senior law students under the supervision of faculty members and practising lawyers.

Poverty Eradication Program

The KazNU Poverty Eradication Program for 2025–2026 complements the individual support measures available to students.

The Program provides for the improvement of social assistance mechanisms, material, psychological and educational support, additional social grants, discounts on accommodation, and the implementation of the Kind Campus initiative. The initiative provides assistance with food, clothing and stationery.

The Program also supports the development of financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills, student initiatives and social entrepreneurship, charitable activities and student volunteering. The planned annual coverage of the Program is at least 150 students.

These initiatives help students address immediate financial difficulties while developing the skills required for long-term financial and professional resilience.

Professional Development and Employment

KazNU supports students in making a successful transition from education to professional employment. Students may participate in volunteer and leadership programs, internships, career events and initiatives designed to develop professional and communication skills.

The KazNU Career Center provides employment advice and helps graduates engage with potential employers. This support assists students in applying their education and strengthening their socioeconomic resilience after graduation.

Monitoring Effectiveness

The implementation of the programs and support measures is monitored by the relevant KazNU units in cooperation with the faculties.

Each semester, the University analyses students’ academic performance, the average GPA of Program participants, the risk of dropout and the reasons for withdrawal. KazNU monitors the social dropout rate and the proportion of students from low-income families among admitted and graduating students.

The University also records the grants, discounts, material assistance, meal vouchers and dormitory places provided. Student satisfaction surveys are conducted and graduate employment is analysed to assess the quality and effectiveness of support.

Monitoring results are submitted to the Academic Council of Al-Farabi KazNU and are used to evaluate Program effectiveness and improve support measures.

Al-Farabi KazNU therefore implements a comprehensive institution-wide system that combines measurable targets, dedicated programs and services that are provided in practice. Financial, food, housing, legal, academic, psychological and professional support helps students from low-income families overcome socioeconomic barriers, maintain continuity of study and progress towards the successful completion of their educational programs.

Official Documents and Resources

Main Program created and approved: September 2025
Program period: 2025–2026 academic year
Last updated: 2026