The DSU Scholarship in Italy is a government financial support program for students from all over the world. It covers tuition, accommodation, meals and provides a cash grant of up to 7,910 USD per year. Find out who can apply, what documents are required and how to increase your chances of receiving assistance

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Italy has been attracting students from all over the world for many years, not only with its rich culture, history and gastronomy, but also with affordable conditions for obtaining higher education. One of the most attractive opportunities is the DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) scholarship - a state program that helps students with low incomes to fully or partially cover the costs of education, accommodation and food.

In this article, we will look at all aspects of the DSU program: from what it includes to step-by-step instructions for applying. If you have long dreamed of studying in Italy without significant expenses - this material is for you.

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What is DSU and why is it unique?

DSU is not an ordinary scholarship for academic performance. It is financial assistance based on need. The main criterion is the level of your family's income, not the number of excellent grades in your diploma.

A key feature of the DSU scholarship: all students who meet the income requirements have a chance to receive a scholarship, regardless of their country of origin and academic results. Both Italians and citizens of other countries of the world, including Madagascar, Cameroon, Afghanistan and Moldova, can receive a scholarship.

The program operates in each region of Italy, and it is the regional budget that determines the number of scholarship holders and the amount of payments. For example, in Tuscany or Lombardy, the budgets are larger, and therefore the chances are greater.

What does the DSU scholarship cover?

- Tuition fees - full or partial exemption from university fees.

- Housing - free place in a dormitory or compensation for renting a private apartment.

- Meals - free lunches and dinners in university canteens.

- Additional expenses - study materials, sports uniforms, other academic needs.

- Financial assistance - up to 7,000 euros per year (in US dollars this is about 7,910 USD).

Important! Even if a student does not receive a scholarship due to the limited number of places, but meets the requirements, he can count on benefits:

- meal vouchers;

- tax discounts;

- a place in a dormitory at a preferential price (~282 USD/month).

Who can apply for a DSU scholarship?

The scholarship is open to:

- undergraduate applicants and students;

- masters;

- doctoral students (PhD).

There are no age restrictions - the main thing is that the student has a valid enrollment in an Italian university.

Financial criteria:

- Full coverage is provided to students with a family income of up to 13,560 USD per year.

- Partial coverage - if the family income is up to 25,990 USD per year.

Who is not eligible for a DSU scholarship in Italy?

- Students who already receive another state or university scholarship in Italy.

- Part-time applicants.

- Individuals who already have an Italian diploma of the same or higher level than the one they are applying for.

Package of documents for obtaining a DSU scholarship in Italy

To apply, you need to collect:

- passport;

- family income certificate;

- bank statements for each family member;

- property certificate;

- enrollment or pre-enrollment letter;

- if necessary, a DDV/CIMEA certificate (diploma recognition) and a resume.

Important: all documents are translated into English or Italian, notarized and apostilled.

The key document is the ISEE Parificato - a certificate that confirms the official income level and determines the right to a scholarship.

What if your income exceeds the limit?

You can still apply for DSU as an independent student if:

- You have been living separately from your parents for at least 2 years;

- You have an income of at least 10,170 USD per year.

Steps to apply for a DSU scholarship in Italy

1. Admission or pre-enrollment at a university

Before applying for DSU, you must be enrolled or have a letter of pre-enrollment at an Italian university.

2. Preparation of documents

First, all the necessary certificates are collected, then an apostille is made, and then an official translation is made.

3. Submitting an online application

Applications are accepted from July to early September (for PhDs - until mid-November).

The application is made on the website of the regional DSU.

4. Transfer of documents in Italy

The authorized authorities check the documents and form the ISEE Parificato.

5. Announcement of results

- Preliminary lists: by September 30 (PhD – by December 15).

- Final lists: by November 30 (PhD – by January 16).

Tips to increase your chances of receiving an Italian DSU scholarship

- Choose regions with larger budgets – for example, Tuscany, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna.

- Prepare documents in advance – apostille and translation can take several weeks.

- Follow deadlines – they may differ in different regions.

- Take into account the cost of living in the region – even with a scholarship, the costs in Milan will be higher than in Siena or Perugia.

A DSU scholarship is a real chance to study in Italy without large financial costs. It opens the door to prestigious universities, allows you to fully focus on your studies and even allows you to cover personal expenses.

Proper preparation of documents, selection of the region and submission of the application within the established deadlines significantly increase the chances of success.

Are you planning to study abroad and want to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship?

The educational lawyers of our team will help you prepare documents correctly, go through all bureaucratic stages and avoid mistakes that often lead to rejection of applications. We know all the intricacies of ISEE Parificato registration, apostille and document translation, and will also help you choose a university and region with the most favorable conditions.

Recall! We have already told you which specialties in Italy will be the most popular for study in English.

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