Application calendar for student amnesty clarified: December 9 is the final day to return to university

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has determined the procedures and principles regarding the implementation of the student amnesty regulation that entered into force on August 9. Accordingly, those whose enrollment at a university was terminated, as well as those who were admitted to a higher education program but could not register, will be able to benefit from the amnesty if they meet the requirements.

Applications must be submitted to the relevant higher education institution no later than the end of the workday on December 9. Students whose applications are accepted will be able to resume their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year.

The regulation will be implemented within the scope of Temporary Article 85 added to the Higher Education Law No. 2547 by Law No. 7592. Students whose enrollment was terminated from preparatory classes, adaptation, associate degree, degree completion, undergraduate, and graduate programs will be eligible to apply.

According to YÖK's announcement, those who were placed in a program but could not register will also be able to benefit from the regulation if they apply within the specified period. Furthermore, students who lost their right to education or had their enrollment deleted within four months from the date the regulation entered into force will also be able to benefit from this right, provided they meet the requirements.

WHO IS EXCLUDED?

The student amnesty does not cover those convicted of certain crimes listed in the regulation. Those convicted of terrorism offenses; intentional killing, torture, torment, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, or the production and trafficking of drugs or stimulants will not be able to benefit from the amnesty.

Those whose enrollment was canceled due to forged documents, those found to have submitted forged documents during registration, and those whose enrollment was terminated on the grounds that they registered through legally invalid means will also be excluded from the regulation.

A separate opportunity has been provided for those who missed the application deadline due to force majeure. Students in this situation will be able to apply within one month from the date the force majeure ceases to exist. Those who could not apply due to health reasons will be required to submit a medical board report indicating their health status by the end of the workday on December 9.

Separate provisions have also been determined for students whose programs were closed. Students who do not have a term or class in the closed evening education programs will be able to continue their education in the daytime program of the relevant department. Students who were previously placed in a program that was later closed but could not register may be adapted to equivalent programs if they meet the base score of the year they were admitted.

Horizontal transfer applications of those who regain student status by benefiting from the regulation may also be evaluated. Students whose central placement score in the year of registration meets the necessary requirements will be able to apply for horizontal transfer to equivalent or different diploma programs. Horizontal transfer procedures to formal programs will be carried out in the 2026-2027 academic year.

The adaptation of courses that students have previously successfully completed and the conditions for continuing education will be determined by the relevant boards of the universities. The maximum duration of study for students returning under the amnesty will begin from the date they re-register.

YÖK stated that students who will resume their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year will not be charged any contribution fees or tuition fees for the years prior to the registration date. For these students, only the contribution fee and tuition fee provisions for the 2026-2027 academic year will apply.

''We see this regulation not just as an amnesty, but as an opportunity for our youth to rebuild their futures.''

Detailed procedures and principles regarding the regulation can be accessed on YÖK's official website. Those who wish to benefit from the amnesty must apply to the higher education institutions where they gained the right to register or where their enrollment was terminated within the specified time.

News Source: 12punto