Checked against official sources on 26 October 2026. Requirements, fees and dates change and can differ by university, embassy or consulate. Always confirm the current rules with the official source before you apply — we do this for every student we work with.
Yes, Afghan students can win fully funded scholarships to study in Türkiye. The two main government routes are Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları), open to every field, and the Diyanet Foundation's international theology scholarships. Both 2026 windows have now closed. The next chance is January–February 2027, for study starting in autumn 2027, so the time to prepare is now. This guide explains every realistic option, who qualifies, what each one covers and a month-by-month plan.
Your options at a glance
| Scholarship | Fields | What it covers | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) | All fields; bachelor's, master's, PhD | Tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, 1-year Turkish course, flights at start and end | 10 January – 20 February, every year |
| Diyanet (TDV) international theology scholarships | Theology (İlahiyat); bachelor's and master's | Tuition, monthly stipend, food and accommodation, health costs, travel | 2026 deadline was 28 February 2026; watch for the 2027 call |
| University merit discounts | Depends on the university | Partial tuition discount | With your university application |
1. Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
This is the Turkish government's main scholarship for international students. It is competitive and open to Afghan citizens.
What it covers
According to the official website, the full-time scholarship includes:
- University placement and tuition fees
- A monthly stipend: 6,500 TL for bachelor's, 9,500 TL for master's and 13,000 TL for PhD students (official figures when we checked in October 2026)
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
- A one-year Turkish language course
- A flight ticket at the start and end of your studies
There is also a Merit Scholarship for students with high grades and strong international test scores, which pays twice the regular stipend, and an Art Scholarship for performing arts, music and fine arts.
Who can apply
| Level | Maximum age | Minimum average |
|---|---|---|
| Associate and bachelor's | Under 21 | 70% |
| Master's | Under 30 | 75% |
| PhD | Under 35 | 75% |
| Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy | Age limit of the level | 90% |
How selection works
Applications are made online at tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr between 10 January and 20 February. An expert committee shortlists candidates, undergraduate candidates take a written test, and shortlisted applicants have a 15–30 minute interview with academics and experts. The official website notes that in countries with many applicants, such as Afghanistan, the test may have 80 to 100 questions.
Read our full Türkiye Scholarships application guide and our guide to the interview and test.
2. Diyanet (TDV) international theology scholarships
The Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) runs scholarships for international students in theology (İlahiyat) at bachelor's and master's level, known as the Diyanet Scholarships. The foundation's 2026 guide lists Afghanistan among the countries where it runs education activities.
What it covers
According to the TDV's 2026 bachelor's guide:
- A monthly stipend, in addition to food, accommodation and travel costs
- Health costs in Türkiye
- Annual university tuition fees
- Travel for your first arrival and final return, plus one return trip home a year
- Free summer and winter camps and academic support courses in Turkish, Arabic and other subjects
Who can apply (2026 bachelor's programme)
- Not a Turkish citizen (and never held Turkish citizenship)
- For the 2026 intake: born after 1 January 2005
- Finished high school with at least a good grade (70%), or will graduate by July of the application year
- No more than two years' break after high school
- No disciplinary penalty or conviction during your studies, and in good health for study in Türkiye
Applicants who pass the first review are invited to face-to-face interviews in their own country, held mainly at Turkish embassies or centres chosen by the foundation. The interview covers Qur'an recitation and tajwid, basic religious knowledge, general knowledge, self-expression, language skills and a visual aptitude test.
Partner theology faculties in the 2026 guide include Ankara University, Ankara Social Sciences University, Istanbul University, Marmara University, Bursa Uludağ University, Necmettin Erbakan University (Konya) and Erciyes University (Kayseri).
Dates: in 2026, applications opened in mid-January and closed on 28 February 2026, online at diyanetburslari.tdv.org. Expect a similar window in 2027, but confirm on the official portal.
3. University scholarships and discounts
Besides government scholarships, many Turkish universities, especially foundation (private) universities, publish merit discounts for international students on their tuition pages. These usually depend on your grades or an exam score such as the SAT, and they reduce your fees rather than paying living costs. State universities generally charge lower tuition in the first place.
Ask each university on your shortlist:
- Do you offer scholarships or discounts to international students, and on what criteria?
- Is the discount for the first year only, or for the whole degree?
- What grade average must I keep to renew it?
Our guide to state vs foundation universities and our tuition fees guide help you compare total costs.
A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now – December 2026 | Renew your passport if needed. Collect and legalise your diploma and transcripts. Get recommendation letters. Take an English test if you have time. |
| December 2026 | Draft your motivation letter and choose your programmes and universities. |
| 10 January – 20 February 2027 | Apply for Türkiye Scholarships at tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr. |
| January – February 2027 | Apply for the Diyanet scholarships if you want to study theology (check the official dates). Apply directly to universities in parallel. |
| Spring 2027 | Prepare for tests and interviews if you are shortlisted. |
| Summer 2027 | Results; accept your place; prepare the student visa from Kabul. |
Do not let the scholarship be your only plan
Scholarships are competitive, and many strong Afghan applicants are not selected in a given year. Apply directly to universities in the same year, compare state universities with low fees and foundation universities with merit discounts, and reapply next year if you are still within the age limit.
Avoid scholarship scams
- Applying to Türkiye Scholarships and the Diyanet scholarships is free and happens only on their official websites.
- No agent or consultancy can guarantee a scholarship. Selection is made only by the programmes' own committees.
- Never pay money "to secure" a scholarship place, and never hand over your passport to someone who promises one.
How we help
We check your eligibility, help you prepare documents and a motivation letter that matches your record, run practice tests and interviews, and build a parallel university plan so that you have options whatever the scholarship result. See our page on scholarships for Afghan students or contact our Jalalabad office.
Questions students ask
Is there a Turkey scholarship for Afghanistan in 2026?
Yes, Afghan citizens can apply for Türkiye Scholarships and for the Diyanet Foundation's international theology scholarships. The 2026 application windows have closed: Türkiye Scholarships accepts applications from 10 January to 20 February every year, and the Diyanet scholarships closed on 28 February 2026. The next chance is January–February 2027, for study starting in autumn 2027.
When does Türkiye Scholarships 2027 open?
The official website says applications are accepted between 10 January and 20 February every year, through the online system at tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr. Check the site when the call is announced and start preparing your documents now.
Can Afghan students get a fully funded scholarship in Turkey?
Yes. Türkiye Scholarships covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, a one-year Turkish course and flights at the start and end of your studies. The Diyanet theology scholarships cover tuition, a monthly stipend, food and accommodation, health costs and travel.
What grades do I need for a Turkish government scholarship?
For Türkiye Scholarships the official minimum average is 70% for bachelor's applicants, 75% for master's and PhD, and 90% for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. The Diyanet theology bachelor's programme asks for at least 70% at high school.
Do I have to pay anyone to apply for a Turkish scholarship?
No. Applications to Türkiye Scholarships and the Diyanet scholarships are made online on their official websites. Never pay anyone who promises to secure a scholarship for you.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the team at Noory Educational Consultancy Services, an education consultancy in Jalalabad established in 2018 and led by Fatihullah Noory (Founder & CEO). We check time-sensitive facts against official sources and update our guides when the rules change.