The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly has officially accepted the 15th article of the draft law on amendments to the Higher Education Law and Certain Other Laws, establishing a new student amnesty that grants reinstatement rights to individuals whose university connections were severed. According to the approved legislation, students across preparatory, associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs whose student status ended for various reasons—as well as those who earned registration rights but never enrolled—will gain the right to resume their education.
Eligibility and Prior Amnesties
The newly adopted regulation extends coverage beyond standard dropouts and non-registrants. Based on the accepted text, individuals who previously benefited from an earlier student amnesty but failed to complete their education can also utilize this fresh opportunity to return to their studies.
Approval Process and Application Deadlines
Following its acceptance in the General Assembly, the legislation heads toward final enactment. According to the text, the bill will be submitted for the president’s approval and will officially take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette. Once the law becomes effective, eligible students will face a four-month window to apply to their respective universities. Those whose applications are approved will resume their classes based on academic calendars determined by the universities.
Did You Know? The approved legislation amends the broader ‘Higher Education Law and Certain Other Laws,’ which recently brought high-profile issues like student amnesties and child prison sentences into the parliamentary spotlight at the TBMM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the new student amnesty?
Individuals in preparatory, associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs whose student status ended for various reasons, those who earned the right to register but never enrolled, and individuals who benefited from a previous student amnesty but could not finish their education are all eligible.
What steps are required for a student to return to university?
After the legislation is published in the Official Gazette, applicants must submit their applications to universities within four months. Approved candidates will then resume their education according to the academic calendar set by the university.
When does the law officially take effect?
The draft law must first be submitted for the president’s approval and will become effective only after publication in the Official Gazette.