Financing of private higher education institutions: administrative and legal features

Abstract

The article examines the administrative and legal features of financing private higher education institutions, which is an important direction in the development of the modern higher education system of Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to the issues of interaction between private higher education institutions and the state in the process of obtaining financial support, because traditionally the private education sector was considered as one that functions mainly at the expense of founders’ funds and tuition fees. However, current trends in the field of educational policy indicate the need to form transparent and fair mechanisms for state funding for all institutions, regardless of their form of ownership, especially in connection with the expansion of social guarantees and support programs for education seekers.

The paper examines the mechanisms of state regulation and control of the activities of private higher education institutions, in particular, licensing of educational programs, accreditation procedures, financial monitoring, compliance with educational standards and transparency of financial reporting. The legal grounds and conditions under which private institutions can apply for state funding are analyzed: participation in budget programs, receipt of funds for the implementation of targeted educational projects, grants, state orders or certificate funding. The procedures for the distribution of financial resources are separately disclosed, emphasizing the need to ensure competition and equality of rights of private higher education institutions compared to public ones.

An important component of the study is the coverage of the specifics of administrative disputes in the field of financing private institutions. In particular, typical conflicts that arise between private HEIs and state authorities regarding the distribution of budget funds, the legality of inspections, appealing the results of accreditation or denial of access to financial programs are considered. The author justifies the need to improve the regulatory framework in order to ensure equal conditions for the functioning of institutions of different forms of ownership, increase the transparency of procedures and minimize the grounds for disputes, which will be a significant step towards the formation of an effective and fair system of financing higher education in Ukraine.