Atatürk University offers 40,000 TL scholarships for top YKS candidates as experts urge broader university choice

Atatürk University announced a new YKS Preference Scholarship Program for the 2026 YKS preference period. Students who rank among the top 1,500 in the numeric and equal‑weight categories or the top 750 in the verbal category will receive a total of 40,000 Turkish lira, paid in monthly installments over ten months. The scholarship continues only if recipients maintain at least a 3.00 GPA, successfully complete preparatory classes, avoid disciplinary actions and keep regular enrollment.

Education specialist Saygı Ünlü warned candidates not to base their university selection solely on exam scores, university name or location. He urged students to evaluate program curricula, accreditation status, faculty quality, internship opportunities, graduate employment outcomes and how the degree aligns with personal goals. Ünlü recommended using official university websites, department pages and resources such as YÖK Atlas for informed decisions, noting that “popular departments are not always the right choice for everyone.”