Italy DSU Scholarship FAQ: Twelve Questions, Answered from the Calls

Yes. EU and non-EU students compete on the same terms as Italians. The difference is that your family’s finances are proven with legalised and translated foreign documents, turned into an ISEE parificato.

Not in the first year. First-year students are ranked on family income and assets only. From the moment you start, though, you must earn a minimum number of credits — usually 20 by 10 August — to keep the grant.

In 2026/27 the top package for an away-from-home student was close to €8,250 a year including services: €8,246 at ER.GO and Padova, €8,248 at PoliMi, €8,096.78 at EDISU. The national minimum full grant was €7,171.11.

Under your region’s cap. In 2026/27 the caps ranged from €25,000 (ER.GO) to €28,339.88 (Lazio, the national maximum). ISPE caps ranged from €43,125.94 (Padova) to €61,608.48 (Lazio).

No. As of 6 October 2026 none of the 2027/28 calls has been published. Based on 2026, expect them to open from June 2027, with the earliest closing in late July 2027.

Yes, and you usually must. Calls set deadlines that apply even to students who can only enrol later. You complete enrolment by a later date set in the call.

Generally no. Calls such as PoliMi’s bar combining the DSU grant with an analogous scholarship from another public or private body. Mobility top-ups are the usual exception. Compare both and choose.

DiSCo does not accept a declared family income of zero and requires income consistent with the means needed for a study residence permit. PoliMi sets a similar minimum linked to the study-visa means threshold. If you are from a country on the MUR’s particularly poor list, you can use an Italian embassy certificate instead.

No. Rooms are ranked separately and are limited. If you win the grant but not a room, you receive the fuori-sede cash rate instead, provided you prove paid accommodation where required. Tuscany pays up to €3,150 rent contribution if rooms run out.

Only if it is revoked — mainly for missing the minimum credits by 30 November, false declarations or not completing enrolment. Then you repay the cash and the value of services used.

DiSCo and EDISU pay to an account in your name in the SEPA area. DiSCo accepts a foreign SEPA IBAN but takes no responsibility for delays. Non-SEPA accounts are not accepted.

Yes. PoliMi’s call says the grant does not renew automatically. Each year you file a new application, usually with an updated ISEE parificato, and meet that year’s merit table.