🇮🇹 1. DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) Scholarships – Regional Support
What it is:
DSU (“Right to University Study”) Scholarships are income-based financial aid programs managed by regional student support agencies in Italy. They help eligible students — including international students — access higher education without financial barriers, providing tuition waivers, living allowances, housing and meal support, and other services.
How they work:
- Administered by regional DSU bodies (e.g., DSU Toscana, EDISU Piemonte, and others).
- Awards are typically based on income (ISEE equivalent) and need — not purely merit.
- International students who provide the required financial documentation (including ISEE Parificato for non-EU students) can apply.
🔸 Examples of Regional DSU Scholarships
1) DSU Toscana (Tuscany)
- Supports students at universities in Pisa, Florence, Siena.
- Covers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels.
- Application window usually: Mid-July to Early September 2026.
2) EDISU Piemonte (Piedmont)
- Regional scholarship covering universities such as University of Turin & Politecnico di Torino.
- Typical application window: Late July – Early September 2026.
3) ER.GO / ARSU / ESU Regional Scholarships
- Similar DSU-style scholarships in regions like Emilia-Romagna, Sicily, Veneto, Lazio (e.g., LAZIODISCO in Rome).
- Provide tuition waivers, accommodation, and stipends.
📍 Note: Application details (deadlines, income thresholds, and required documents) vary by region and are set annually by each DSU office.
🎓 2. University-Specific Scholarships in 2026–2027
Alongside DSU, many Italian public universities offer merit-based or combined scholarships for international applicants — often covering tuition fees and sometimes offering living support or stipends.
📌 Major University Scholarships
🔹 University of Bologna – International Talents @Unibo
- Competitive master’s scholarship that may include full tuition waiver + stipend.
- Expected application period: Jan–May 2026.
🔹 University of Padua – Padua International Excellence Scholarship
- Available for Bachelor’s & Master’s candidates.
- Expected applications: Feb–May 2026.
🔹 Politecnico di Milano – Merit & DSU-related Scholarships
- Offers a range of merit-based financial awards for MSc and other programs.
- DSU support may also be available through the Milan regional DSU office (ISEE-based).
🔹 Politecnico di Torino – International Scholarships
- Program-specific scholarships (mostly MSc) with merit emphasis.
- Eligible applicants usually apply along with their admission.
🔹 Bocconi University Scholarships (Merit & Needs-Based)
- Offers graduate merit awards and other financial packages with application rounds typically through admissions season (Nov-May 2026).
🔹 Università Cattolica & EDUCatt Scholarships
- Scholarships tied to academic performance and financial criteria.
- Deadlines often around late Sep 2026 after admissions.
🔹 University of Milan – Excellence Scholarships
- Scholarships for Master’s programs with deadlines like 31 May 2026.
💸 What These Scholarships Cover
While specific benefits vary, typical coverage includes:
- Tuition fee waiver (partial or full)
- Annual or monthly stipend (e.g., €600/month or more in some DSU calls)
- Free or subsidized meals at university canteens
- Free or subsidized student housing
- Travel allowances (in some regional programs)
- Health services access & student support
📆 Typical 2026–2027 Scholarship Timeline
| Scholarship Type | Expected 2026 Timeline |
|---|---|
| DSU Regional Scholarships | Jul–Sep 2026 (estimate) |
| University Merit Scholarships (e.g., Bologna, Padua) | Jan–May 2026 |
| Bocconi Merit Awards | Nov 2025 – May 2026 |
| University of Milan Excellence | Apply by 31 May 2026 |
| MAECI Government Scholarships | Apr–May 2026 (general Italy government program) |
📍 How to Apply (General Steps)
🇮🇹 Step 1 — Choose Your Program
Decide which university and scholarship scheme you’re targeting (regional DSU, merit scholarship, or both).
🧾 Step 2 — Check Requirements
Typical requirements include:
- Proof of admission or enrollment in a degree program
- Income documentation (often ISEE Parificato for non-EU students)
- Academic transcripts and CV
- Language test (if required by the university)
🖥 Step 3 — Submit Applications
- DSU scholarships are usually applied via the university’s or regional DSU portal when calls open (often mid-year).
- Merit scholarships may require a separate online form alongside applications for admission.
📌 Step 4 — Await Ranking / Results
Most DSU calls rank applicants by income and Resources, with results published in late summer or autumn. Merit awards often follow admissions decisions.
📎 Step 5 — Accept & Complete Registration
If awarded, accept the scholarship and complete any meeting or enrollment formalities at your university.
🇮🇹 Italian Government – Scholarships & Financial Aid Resource (MIUR/MUR) — general info on DSU and university aid schemes:
👉 https://miur.mur.gov.it/studiare-in-italia/studying/scholarships.html
For specific university scholarship calls, visit each university’s official financial aid or DSU page (e.g., Politecnico di Milano, University of Bologna, etc.) when they open their 2026–27 notices.
📌 Tips for International Applicants
✅ Start early — Italian scholarship calls open months before academic start dates.
✅ Prepare ISEE Parificato documentation for non-EU financial evaluation.
✅ Track both regional DSU calls and university merit scholarships separately.
✅ Confirm whether scholarships cover living stipends and housing.
✅ Monitor university admissions portals for updates.
