What to do if you don’t have large financial resources but want to upgrade your qualifications, gain additional skills, or learn a new profession from scratch and ultimately start earning more?
There are several opportunities to obtain funding for additional education, professional development courses, or training in Poland. Let’s explore them below.
- OPEN Project – Interest-Free Loan for Education
- Co-Financing from the Employment Center (Urząd Pracy)
- Education Loan from the Ministry of Development (Ministerstwa Rozwoju)
- National Training Fund (Krajowy Fundusz Szkoleniowy)
- Training Vouchers
- EU-Funded Training Programs
- Programowanie z POWERem (Programming with POWER)
OPEN Project – Interest-Free Loan for Education
Adults can obtain funds for studying in Poland or other EU countries from the Open Fund (Funduszu Open). These funds are provided as an interest-free loan for postgraduate studies, training, qualification improvement courses, and developing new skills. Only people who are employed and residing in Poland with a certain income level can apply for this support.
The loan amount can be up to 100,000 PLN, and it must be repaid within 5 years. If the education is completed successfully, 15% of the debt will be immediately forgiven. Additionally, another 10% can be forgiven if the person gets a promotion at their company, receives a salary increase of 15%, or changes to a new position related to the acquired qualifications. Keep an eye on the application deadlines on the program’s website.
Co-Financing from the Employment Center (Urząd Pracy)
Employment centers in various Polish regions provide non-repayable financial support for education (including exams, obtaining licenses) that will help candidates improve their qualifications, change professions, or find a job. This support is available to unemployed individuals. For more detailed information, check the Zielona Linia website.
Education Loan from the Ministry of Development (Ministerstwa Rozwoju)
In Poland, you can study with the help of the Ministry of Development. Since June 2017, as part of the “Education. Knowledge. Development” program, the Ministry has been accepting applications for interest-free education loans. The loan amount can be up to 30,000 PLN, and it must be repaid within 3 years. Applications are accepted several times a year. The conditions for applicants are similar to those described in the OPEN project. In particular, up to 25% of the loan can be forgiven.
National Training Fund (Krajowy Fundusz Szkoleniowy)
Education in Poland to improve qualifications can be financed through the National Training Fund. Owners of large, medium, and small companies in Poland who want to take training courses themselves or involve their employees can apply for co-financing from the National Fund. Small businesses can even receive up to 100% reimbursement of the funds spent, while larger businesses are eligible for an 80% refund. Detailed conditions are outlined on the official Fund website.
Training Vouchers
This option is also suitable for employers interested in upgrading their employees’ qualifications. Owners of small and medium-sized businesses can take advantage of financial support from the European Union in the form of vouchers, which cover 50% to 80% of the expenses for education for themselves and their employees. Applications for participation in the program are submitted separately in each voivodeship. You can follow a special page to see where and when this is happening.
EU-Funded Training Programs
There are many educational courses and training programs available on the European Funds portal. Sometimes, there are offers for free participation over several months with subsequent internships. Most of the courses are paid, but the majority of the expenses are covered by EU-specific funds.
Programowanie z POWERem (Programming with POWER)
This program is available for those who want to learn programming and later work in IT technologies. Age and employment status do not matter. You can apply for an interest-free loan of up to 15,000 PLN for education in Poland lasting no more than 12 months. Additionally, you have the opportunity to get full compensation and not repay the loan. To qualify, you must get a job in your new profession (programmer or related position) within 6 months after completing the course. Detailed rules for participation in “Programowanie z POWERem” can be found on the website dedicated to various educational projects.
As you can see, it is possible to study for free in Poland. There are different options available. The most important thing is your determination and hard work, and you will definitely achieve your goal!
