Our University operates an institutional Meal Scholarship Programme to prevent students from experiencing difficulties in accessing adequate and regular nutrition due to financial hardship and to reduce student food insecurity. The programme is implemented under the Scholarship and Assistance Services of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports and provides students who are identified as being in financial need with one free lunch per day in University dining facilities for one academic year. Meal scholarships are financed directly from the budget of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports. Applications are received each academic year by the Scholarship and Assistance Office, and eligible students are identified through an assessment of their social and economic circumstances.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/bursveyardimhizmetleri
The programme was actively implemented in 2025. Applications for the 2025–2026 Academic Year Meal Scholarship were accepted between 9 and 15 October 2025, with the results scheduled to be announced on 17 October 2025 and the support period running from 27 October 2025 to 30 June 2026. This demonstrates that the mechanism for addressing student food insecurity was not merely an institutional policy statement, but an actively operating application and support system in 2025
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/duyuru/yemek-bursu-basvuru-duyurusu
The allocation of meal scholarships is based primarily on students’ financial need. The University’s assessment system takes into account socioeconomic variables such as household income, family structure, number of siblings, employment status of parents, the student’s accommodation circumstances, whether the student receives another scholarship, and whether the student is employed. In this way, free meal support is directed towards students who are economically more vulnerable.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/ofehm_0a053.pdf
In the domestic student meal scholarship results published on 17 October 2025, students who met the specified needs-assessment score were publicly announced as being eligible for the scholarship. The programme was also structured to support students’ continuation in higher education. To finalise eligibility, undergraduate students were required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00, while postgraduate students were required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50. Preparatory-class and first-year students were exempt from this academic requirement.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/duyuru/yerli-ogrenci-yemek-bursu-basvuru-sonuclari
The programme also includes international students. On 21 October 2025, the preliminary results of meal scholarship applications for international students were announced separately and successful applicants were notified. This demonstrates that free meal support is not restricted to a particular nationality and that different groups of students experiencing financial need are able to access the programme. In addition, an additional/reserve application opportunity was provided in November 2025, creating a further mechanism to expand access for students in need.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/duyuru/uluslararasi-ogrenciler-yemek-burs-basvurulari; https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/duyuru/yedek-ogrenci-basvurusu
The Meal Scholarship Programme operates within the University’s broader institutional food service system. According to the 2025 Activity Report of the KTÜ Department of Health, Culture and Sports, a number of dining halls operated across different campuses, and four-course lunch menus were prepared by a food engineer and a dietitian with consideration given to students’ energy and nutrient requirements in order to provide adequate, balanced, and hygienic meals. A total of 227,395 meals were served to students in 2025.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/sks_RTqne.pdf
The University’s approach to addressing student food insecurity is also complemented by broader social support mechanisms in addition to direct food assistance. Students in financial need may benefit from financial assistance scholarships as well as meal scholarships, thereby helping to reduce the impact of financial hardship on students’ nutrition and their ability to continue their education
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/bursveyardimhizmetleri
In conclusion, in 2025, our University operated an institutional programme designed to prevent or reduce food insecurity and the risk of hunger among students. The programme is needs-based, financed through the University budget, and provides direct access to free meals. Its availability to both domestic and international students, its socioeconomic needs-assessment mechanism, its annual implementation, and its publicly documented application and award processes in 2025 demonstrate that the programme was actively and systematically implemented.
