TL;DR: The University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano) awards regional scholarships under Italy’s university right-to-study programme (in Italian, Diritto allo Studio Universitario, or DSU) for academic year 2026/2027. Awards combine a cash grant, university fee relief, and free refectory meals. Italian and international students who enrol full-time and meet both income and merit rules may apply. Applications open from 10 July 2026 and close on 30 September 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+2) via the University of Milan online benefits desk.
Quick facts
- Programme: Regional scholarships (DSU / education incentive programme), academic year 2026/2027
- Host institution: University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano / La Statale)
- Host country / region: Italy (Lombardy Region funding with the Ministry of University and Research)
- Levels: Bachelor’s; single-cycle Master’s; Master’s; selected specialisation schools; PhD research (with exclusions)
- Funding type: Need- and merit-based regional scholarship (cash + fee waiver + free meals)
- Typical total value: About €2,143 to €8,248 including the meal quota, depending on income bracket and residence status
- Application window: 10 July 2026 to 30 September 2026, 23:59 (GMT+2)
- How to apply: Confirm the online application at the University of Milan DSU portal
What the funding covers
According to the University of Milan’s official regional scholarships page and the Call for Applications for DSU scholarships (academic year 2026/2027), the award includes:
- A cash scholarship amount that varies by Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator (ISEE) income bracket and by geographic status (on-site, commuter, or off-site)
- Complete exemption from university fees for full beneficiaries (50% waiver for partial beneficiaries)
- Free midday meals (Monday to Saturday) for winners; off-site students may also access evening and holiday meals at reduced rates based on income bracket
- Optional international mobility supplement of up to €600 per month (maximum 10 months), plus travel reimbursement up to €100 within Europe or €500 outside Europe
- A graduating award integration equal to half of the last-year scholarship for students who finish within the normal course duration (subject to rules and funding)
Official totals including the meal quota range from a minimum of €2,143 to a maximum of €8,248. Female students enrolled in designated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes listed in Annex 2 of the call may receive a 20% increase. Students with a disability or handicap may receive an increase of up to 40%. First-year off-track (fuori corso) awards are halved.
Payments are credited in two instalments on the Carta La Statale university badge (activated as a Flash Up Studio La Statale prepaid card). First-year students usually receive the first instalment by December 2026 and the second after merit checks in October 2027. Students in later years typically receive the second instalment by June 2027.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Italian and international students who enrol or intend to enrol full-time at the University of Milan for academic year 2026/2027 may compete if they meet both income and merit requirements. No award is given on income alone or on merit alone.
Eligible programme types include Bachelor’s degrees, single-cycle Master’s degrees, Master’s degrees, certain specialisation schools, and PhD research programmes when the student is not already receiving another scholarship or research grant. Students joining the Open Semester of Medicine and Surgery, Dental Medicine, or Veterinary Medicine may apply within the same dates; they are ranked separately and must complete second-semester enrolment.
Income limits (ISEE Università 2026)
- Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator (ISEE University): not higher than €26,887.93
- Equivalent Asset Situation Indicator (ISPE University): not higher than €58,452.06
Both limits must be met. The Dichiarazione Sostitutiva Unica (DSU) used for the ISEE must be signed by 30 September 2026. Students whose family income and assets are abroad follow the equated-ISEE rules in the call (including Annex 1 documentation where required). Foreign students with a family unit abroad who are not covered by Annex 1 are placed in the first income bracket automatically.
Main exclusions
- Students who already hold an Italian degree of the same or higher level as the programme for which they seek the scholarship
- Part-time students or students on a shortened career path
- Repeating students
- Students already receiving similar benefits for the same programme year
- Vocational master’s students and postgraduate medical-school students in the excluded categories named in the call
- PhD students who already hold a scholarship or research grant
Key dates
- Applications open: 10 July 2026
- Application and DSU signing deadline: 30 September 2026, 23:59 (GMT+2)
- Provisional ranking: generally by 31 October 2026 (appeals within 7 days)
- Final ranking: generally by 30 November 2026
- First instalment: by December 2026 (typically by 31 December 2026)
- Merit checkpoint for first-year confirmation: credits by 10 August 2027 (with later forfeiture rules if unmet)
First-year Bachelor’s and single-cycle Master’s students must usually earn 35 credits by 10 August 2027 (5-credit bonus available in defined cases). First-year Master’s students must usually earn 20 credits (open-access courses) or 23 credits (limited-access courses) by the same date, without the bonus. Always check the call tables for your exact programme.
How to apply
- Register on the University of Milan portal if you do not already have credentials.
- Prepare your ISEE Università 2026 documentation (or equated-ISEE materials if your family unit is abroad).
- Open the online DSU benefits desk and select regional scholarships (and international mobility if relevant).
- Complete every required field, upload documents where asked, and click Confirm application before the deadline. Incomplete or unconfirmed applications are excluded.
- Enrol in your University of Milan programme within the enrolment deadlines stated in the call; the award is conditional on enrolment.
- Activate Carta La Statale as a prepaid card so payments can be credited if you win.
You may submit the scholarship application before enrolment is finished, but you must enrol by the call deadlines to keep the benefit. Applicants to the first year of a Master’s programme may submit before their Bachelor’s degree is conferred and update degree data later through InformaStudenti.
FAQ
Is this a fully funded international scholarship?
No. It is a regional right-to-study award for students enrolled at the University of Milan. It helps with living costs, meals, and fees, but amounts depend on income bracket and residence status. It is not a separate global fellowship that pays all study costs regardless of ISEE.
Can international students apply?
Yes. The call is open to Italian and international students who meet the income, merit, and enrolment rules. Students with family income and assets abroad must follow the equated-ISEE documentation rules in the call.
What happens if I miss the Confirm application step?
The University of Milan states that incomplete and unconfirmed applications are not reviewed. You must confirm online by 30 September 2026, 23:59 (GMT+2).
Do winners still pay tuition?
Full beneficiaries are exempted from the second university tuition instalment (complete fee exemption as described on the official page). Partial beneficiaries receive a 50% waiver. Always confirm the exact fee effect on your student record after rankings are published.
Official sources
- University of Milan regional scholarships overview
- Official Call for Applications (English PDF)
- Summary of the Call for Applications A.Y. 2026/2027 (PDF)
- Online DSU benefits application desk
Rules, amounts, and rankings can change with official notices. Always follow the Call for Applications and the University of Milan student portal if anything differs from this summary.
