Kredyt studencki is Poland’s government-subsidized student loan program, offering monthly payouts to students and doctoral candidates at low interest rates, most of which the state covers. Understanding the eligibility rules matters because qualifying isn’t automatic — age, income, and enrollment status all factor in. Here’s what you need to know to check if you meet the requirements.
Who Can Apply
The program is open to two groups: students enrolled at a public or private university in Poland who have not yet turned 30, and doctoral candidates in doctoral schools who have not yet turned 35. This applies whether you’re studying full-time (stacjonarne) or part-time (niestacjonarne). You can also apply if you’re still in the recruitment process for a university or doctoral school, provided you can show proof of participation.
The Income Requirement
This is the condition that trips up the most applicants. Your family’s average monthly net income per person, calculated from the calendar year before you apply, cannot exceed the threshold set annually by the Minister of Science. For the 2025/2026 academic year, that threshold is 4,000 PLN net per family member. If your household income comes in above this limit, your application will be rejected outright, regardless of your academic standing or other qualifications.
To put the household math in perspective:
- A family of three (2+1) qualifies with combined net income up to roughly 12,000 PLN
- A family of four (2+2) qualifies with combined net income up to roughly 16,000 PLN
You don’t need a job to qualify — sufficient family income or a guarantor is enough. Working part-time during your studies won’t disqualify you, though it may affect your creditworthiness if you’re applying independently rather than through family income.
Choosing Your Monthly Payout
Once you meet the age and income conditions, you choose how much you want to receive each month: 400, 600, 800, or 1,000 PLN. Payments go out for up to 10 months per academic year, and you can request a change to your monthly amount later if your needs shift. The loan runs for a maximum of 60 installments for students (up to 6 years) or 40 installments for doctoral candidates (up to 4 years).
Where and How To Apply
Applications go through one of the banks partnered with the Fundusz Kredytów Studenckich (Student Loan Fund): PKO Bank Polski, Bank Pekao, or Bank Polskiej Spółdzielczości and its affiliated cooperative banks. You’ll need to submit:
- Proof of student or doctoral candidate status, or proof of participation in recruitment
- Documentation of family income for the relevant calendar year
- Any documents the bank requires to assess creditworthiness and loan security, such as a guarantor’s details
Each year, by October 31 at the latest, you’ll need to present a current student or doctoral ID to keep receiving installments.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Guarantor
Lack of a guarantor used to be a major barrier for many applicants. Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) now offers a state-backed guarantee option: students with family income up to 1,500 PLN per person can apply for a full loan guarantee, while those with income up to 2,000 PLN per person can get a 90% guarantee. This removes the need to find a private guarantor for many lower-income applicants.
Repayment Terms Worth Knowing
Repayment doesn’t start until two years after you finish your studies, and the monthly repayment amount is roughly half of what you received during your studies — for example, someone who received 800 PLN monthly repays around 400 PLN monthly afterward. Interest is kept low because the state covers a significant portion of it, both during your studies and throughout the grace period. Graduates who finish in the top 10% of their class can also qualify for partial loan forgiveness of up to 50%, and in cases of serious financial hardship, the Minister can reduce or fully cancel the remaining debt.
Official Contacts
For the most current income thresholds, participating banks, and application details, reach out to:
Ministry of Science (Ministerstwo Nauki)
Website: gov.pl/web/nauka/kredyty-studenckie
PKO Bank Polski
Website: pkobp.pl
Bank Pekao S.A.
Website: pekao.com.pl
Bank Polskiej Spółdzielczości S.A.
Contact through your local affiliated cooperative bank branch
You can also check with your university’s student affairs office (dział spraw studenckich), which typically has up-to-date guidance on current thresholds and required documents.
Join The Discussion
Have you applied for kredyt studencki, or are you currently weighing whether it makes sense for your situation? Share your experience with the application process, which bank you went with, or any tips that helped things go smoothly. If you’re still deciding, feel free to ask questions about eligibility, the guarantor process, or how repayment works after graduation — whether you’re just starting to research this or already navigating the paperwork, your input could help others figure out their next step.
