1.3.2

Bottom Financial Quintile Admission Target Policy

1. Purpose

The University of Thessaly (UTh) affirms its responsibility to promote equitable access to higher education and to remove financial barriers that prevent talented individuals from pursuing and completing university studies.

In accordance with Law 4957/2022, Article 86, paragraph 4, this policy establishes measurable institutional targets to increase both admission and graduation rates of students from the bottom twenty percent (20%) of household income distribution in Greece, or from a more tightly defined threshold based on updated national data.

2. Principles

Equity of Access: Admission and academic success opportunities must not be limited by financial circumstance.
Transparency: Socioeconomic eligibility criteria are public, objective, and verifiable.
Accountability: The University monitors, reports, and evaluates progress toward defined inclusion and completion targets.
Compliance: Implementation fully adheres to Greek legislation and the national framework for student welfare and scholarships.
Confidentiality and Dignity: All socioeconomic data are collected and processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

3. Institutional Targets

The University sets a target that at least 20 percent of first-year undergraduate admissions each academic year shall come from households whose annual taxable income places them within the lowest quintile of the national income distribution, as defined by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

In addition, the University systematically tracks and aims to raise the graduation rate of students from this group, ensuring parity with or improvement relative to the general student population.

Where national or regional income data suggest different thresholds, the University may apply a more precise percentage or income ceiling, subject to Senate approval.

4. Implementation

Admissions Coordination: The Directorate of Academic Affairs, in cooperation with the Student Welfare Office, identifies eligible applicants using verified income documentation provided through official state mechanisms. These criteria are also applied to implement transfers of students from other universities. Students at the lowest quintile are prioritized with regard to their transfer at a University in their hometown and/or where siblings already study.

Financial and Academic Support: Eligible students are prioritized for tuition exemption, housing, and meal benefits, also in compliance with Law 4957/2022, Art. 86 §4, and complementary ministerial decisions. Academic mentoring and counseling programs are provided to support progression and completion.

Key initiatives of the policy include:

Full housing coverage at UTH’ university residences for students belonging to the bottom financial quintile, as above defined.
Full lodging at UTH’s university restaurants for students belonging to the bottom financial quintile, as above defined. In addition, all UTH students also benefit from student discounts at many restaurants across the five cities of the University of Thessaly (Volos, Larisa, Lamia, Triakala, Karditsa).
Free books (this policy applies to all students).
Medical insurance coverage
Academic advising and mentoring services. The UTH staff provides both academic and psychological support to students as they transition to adult life and the university. Selected faculty members serve as mentors to students throughout the duration of their studies, in order to support newcomers to quickly integrate into both the UTH community and the environing society.
Seminars/Conferences/Workshops/ roundtables/ summer internships, etc.: Academics, representatives of local and international NGOs, government officials, national, regional and local stakeholders, as well as local business leaders are involved with UTH and its students in a variety of occasions.
Site visits: Visits to businesses and public organizations, in addition to non-governmental and community associations are integrated to UTH’s study programmes, considering that they give students a broad perspective on leadership and management, yet also valuable insight into the career paths available to them.

Outreach and Awareness: The University conducts targeted outreach in secondary schools and regions with historically low participation in higher education. Besides, UTH has established the ‘Open Day’, during which pupils of secondary schools of the Region of Thessaly enter into university courses and discuss with university teachers of UTH.

Monitoring and Reporting: Annual data on applications, admissions, academic progress, and graduation rates of bottom-quintile students are collected and analyzed by the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) and included in the University’s Sustainability and Equity Reports.

5. Responsibilities

The Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs oversees implementation and submits an annual report to the Senate.

The Student Welfare Office manages eligibility verification, support programs, and data collection.

The MODIP evaluates trends, publishes indicators, and ensures that outcomes inform institutional strategy and continuous improvement.

6. Review

This policy is reviewed every three (3) years, or upon amendment of relevant national legislation, to ensure its continued relevance and compliance. Adjustments to admission or graduation targets are approved by the Senate following consultation with the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.

7. References

Law 4957/2022, Article 86 (4): “Οι φοιτητές που προέρχονται από οικογένειες χαμηλού εισοδήματος δικαιούνται κοινωνική στήριξη σύμφωνα με τα προβλεπόμενα προγράμματα.”

Constitution of Greece, Article 16 §4 – Equal right to education.

ESG 2015, Standard 1.4 – Student admission, progression, recognition, and certification.