Fully funded regional scholarships in Italy allow international students to pursue higher education regardless of their financial background. These grants are provided by regional agencies to support the “Right to Study” (Diritto allo Studio). They offer a complete financial package that includes tuition waivers, free meals, and cash stipends.
These scholarships differ from merit-based awards because they prioritize your family’s economic need. Regional agencies evaluate your family’s income and assets to determine eligibility. You can apply for these benefits as an international student even if you do not yet have a student visa.
A successful application requires precise documentation from your home country. Most regions use two indicators to measure wealth: the ISEE-U (income) and ISPE-U (assets). If you meet the local requirements, you receive funding for the entire duration of your degree.
Types of Regional Scholarships with Details
Italy has 20 regions, and each region has a specific agency that manages student welfare. While the benefits are similar, the names of the agencies and the specific income limits vary by location.
- DSU Toscana (Tuscany): This agency supports students in Florence, Pisa, and Siena. It provides one of the most generous packages, including free accommodation in student residences and three free meals a day.
- EDISU Piemonte (Piedmont): This organization manages scholarships for universities in Turin. It offers a “Service Scholarship” for students who do not qualify for the full cash grant but still need subsidized housing and meals.
- DiSCo Lazio (Rome): This agency covers the Rome metropolitan area. It provides a “Degree Award” which gives extra funding to students who graduate on time with high marks.
- ER-GO (Emilia-Romagna): This agency serves the University of Bologna. It uses a strictly digital application system and offers specific subsidies for international mobility programs and internships.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs.
- Location: All major Italian regions (Lombardy, Lazio, Tuscany, Piedmont, etc.).
- Institution(s): All public universities and AFAM institutions (Fine Arts and Music).
- Program Period: 2 years (Master’s), 3 years (Bachelor’s), or 3-4 years (PhD).
- Course offered: All academic fields including Medicine, Engineering, Arts, and Humanities.
- Deadline: Generally between July and September annually.
Scholarship Coverage
Fully funded regional scholarships in Italy provide four key pillars of support. First, the grant includes a 100% tuition fee waiver, meaning you only pay a small regional tax of about €140 to €160. Second, you receive a cash stipend of up to €6,656 per year, which is paid in two installments.
Third, students receive free or subsidized meals at university canteens, typically covering one or two meals per day. Fourth, the scholarship includes free accommodation in university dormitories for “off-site” students. If no dormitory space is available, the agency may provide an additional “rent contribution” to help you pay for a private apartment.
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet three specific requirements to qualify for these regional benefits. First, your family’s ISEE-U (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) must be below the regional threshold, which is typically around €26,306. Second, your ISPE-U (Equivalent Asset Situation Indicator) must be below approximately €52,000.
Third, you must meet the merit requirements to maintain the scholarship after the first year. First-year students receive the first installment based solely on income. However, students must earn a minimum number of credits, such as 20 or 35 CFU, to receive the second installment and avoid returning the funds.
Application Process
The application for regional scholarships involves a multi-step verification of your foreign financial status.
- Obtain University Admission: You must have an admission offer or be pre-enrolled via the Universitaly portal.
- Gather Financial Documents: Collect documents from your home country, such as family composition certificates, income tax returns, and property ownership records for the 2024 calendar year.
- Legalize and Translate: You must have all documents translated into Italian by a certified translator. These must then be legalized with an Apostille or by the Italian Embassy in your home country.
- Request ISEE-U Parificato: Submit your legalized documents to an Italian CAF (Tax Assistance Center). They will issue the “ISEE-U Parificato” certificate, which is the official document the regional agency uses to rank you.
- Submit Online Application: Log in to the regional agency portal (e.g., DSU or EDISU) and fill out the form. You must upload your passport and the ISEE-U certificate before the deadline.
Deadline
The deadlines are strict and peremptory. For the 2026/2027 academic year, most portals will open in June 2026 and close by late August or mid-September 2026. You must submit the online application even if you are still waiting for your physical visa.
