Scholarship Amount: The Funding Gap
Let's address the elephant in the room. Stipendium Hungaricum covers tuition and provides accommodation, but the monthly stipend is far below actual living costs. Here's the full financial picture.
What You Actually Get
Covered by SH
- ✓ Full tuition waiver (worth EUR 3,000-16,000/year)
- ✓ Dormitory place OR housing contribution (HUF 40,000/month)
- ✓ Monthly stipend (BA/MA: HUF 43,700 | PhD: HUF 140,000-180,000)
- ✓ Medical insurance (supplementary coverage)
NOT Covered
- ✗ Food and groceries
- ✗ Transportation (monthly pass ~EUR 10-15)
- ✗ Phone and internet
- ✗ Books and supplies
- ✗ Travel to/from Hungary
- ✗ Dental and vision care
Stipend vs. Actual Living Costs
Scale: €0 to €1,400/month. The gap between the BA/MA stipend and actual costs is €370-990 depending on city and lifestyle.
How SH Compares to Other Scholarships
| Scholarship | Monthly Stipend | Tuition | Livability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stipendium Hungaricum (BA/MA) | €110 | Full waiver | Insufficient |
| Stipendium Hungaricum (PhD) | €355-460 | Full waiver | Manageable |
| DAAD (Germany) | €934-1,400 | Usually free | Comfortable |
| Erasmus Mundus | €1,400 | Full waiver | Comfortable |
| Fulbright | €1,200-2,500 | Full waiver | Comfortable |
| MEXT (Japan) | €890 | Full waiver | Manageable |
The SH BA/MA stipend is by far the lowest among major international scholarships. However, the tuition waiver (worth €3,000-16,000/year for medical programmes) is significant.
The Unsuccessful Petition for Increase
SH scholars have repeatedly petitioned Tempus Public Foundation and the Hungarian government to increase the stipend. In 2023, a petition with thousands of signatures was submitted. The response was minimal — a small adjustment that didn't keep pace with inflation. The fundamental gap remains.
The reality: If you cannot supplement the stipend with savings, family support, or part-time work (limited to 30 hours/week), think carefully about whether SH is financially viable for you. We don't say this to discourage you, but to help you plan realistically.