Studying in a Private School for a Child from a Low-Income Family: It’s Possible!

Until recently, private schools were associated with something unattainable — a privilege for the elite. But modern education in Ukraine is changing: private institutions are increasingly becoming accessible to children from all walks of life. Grant programs, scholarships, and social initiatives are no longer an exception, but a real tool for an equal start. And today, a child from a low-income family has a chance to study in a quality environment, realize their potential and build a successful future — on an equal footing.

What opportunities are there for children from low-income families?

Many private schools in Ukraine are introducing:

1. Grant programs. This is the most common format of educational support. A student who passes a competitive selection gets the opportunity to study at a private school for free or with partial coverage of the cost.
2. Scholarships for success. This is a format of internal motivational support for those students who have already demonstrated significant results in their studies or creativity.
3. Social programs. This is a mechanism of individualized approach to families in difficult life circumstances.
4. Recommendation systems. Some private schools accept students on the basis of written recommendations from teachers, mentors, community leaders, or NGOs.

If you need help preparing to apply or want to learn more, contact the school directly. Often the first step is simply to ask.

What do I need to participate in a grant or social program?

The conditions of participation may vary from school to school, but most often they require:

1. Fill out an application form (online or offline).
2. Provide documents confirming the family’s financial situation.
3. Demonstrate academic achievements (report card, certificates, results of competitions, creative works).
4. Pass an interview or entrance test.

Some schools also take into account a motivation letter from the child or parents explaining why studying at this particular institution is important.

Grant program at My Horizons Lyceum, Khmelnytskyi

One of the most striking examples of the social openness of private education is the grant program at the private lyceum “My Horizons” in Khmelnytskyi. In 2025, it will be launched for the first time for a wide audience and offers a real opportunity to get a full education without any payment.

The program is designed for students in grades 10-11 who:

• have a high grade point average or academic success;
• have participated in the Junior Academy of Sciences, competitions, contests, created projects, and written research papers
• highly motivated but have limited financial resources.

The participation procedure is as simple and straightforward as possible:

1. Online application via Google form — includes basic information, a motivational message, and (if available) proof of achievement.
2. Entrance tests — in English (test + oral part) and math.
3. The interview is a single stage, conducted in person together with parents. It is not the “perfect portfolio” that matters, but the child’s personality.

The application deadline is May 20, 2025. After filling out the form, the applicant receives a confirmation, and within 10 working days, the student is invited for an interview.

Fill out the application today!

Education should not be a privilege. If your child has the abilities, thirst for knowledge and strives for more, look for opportunities. Grant programs and social initiatives of private schools are a real tool for change.

Studying at a private school can become a reality for every child, regardless of the financial situation of their family. The main thing is to actively seek information about available opportunities and use them to the fullest. Today, quality education is available to everyone — take the chance to change your child’s future!