Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation faces administrative crisis following transfer of responsibilities

In July 2026, the Independent Social Support Body in Cyprus was abolished, and its responsibilities were transferred to the Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation (IKYK). Over three months later, the transition remains severely problematic. During a session of the Parliamentary Education Committee on October 21, 2026, IKYK President Aimilios Solomou reported that the foundation lacks the necessary funding, specialized software, and sufficient personnel to manage its expanded mandate, leaving vulnerable students without vital financial assistance.

The foundation is currently struggling with a backlog of scholarship applications, some dating back to 2019, while managing approximately 3,500 pending cases. While 7 million euros of the total 10 million euro budget have been disbursed, the remaining funds have not yet been released to the foundation. Furthermore, the absence of the specific software previously used by the defunct Social Support Body complicates administrative operations and has led to instances of lost documentation.

To address these deficiencies, the foundation has purchased new software scheduled for implementation in 2027, which is expected to digitize processes and resolve ongoing record-keeping issues. The Parliamentary Education Committee, following an initiative by MP Giorgos Karoullas, is now overseeing these systemic failures, emphasizing the urgent need for modernization to ensure that students receive support without further delay.