Italy Regional Scholarships 2027 at University of Milan Open

International students planning to study in Italy in 2026/27 should look beyond conventional merit scholarships. The University of Milan Regional Scholarship, commonly called the DSU scholarship, is public financial support for students with limited economic resources who also meet academic requirements. For some off-site students, the total package can reach €8,248, alongside meals and university-fee exemption.

What Does the University of Milan DSU Scholarship Actually Cover?

The scholarship can provide money, meals, fee exemption and, depending on the student’s situation, accommodation-related support.

It is important, however, not to describe €8,248 as a flat cash payment available to every winner. Lombardy calculates the award according to the student’s household finances and whether they are classified as on-site, commuter or off-site.

For 2026/27, the standard total scholarship value ranges from €2,143 to €3,430 for on-site students, €3,299 to €4,820 for commuters, and €5,857 to €8,248 for qualifying off-site students.

An eligible off-site student in the lowest income band who uses qualifying accommodation outside the university housing system, for example, can receive €7,419 plus one free daily meal, producing a total benefit valued at €8,248. If accommodation is supplied through the student-support system, part of the award is delivered as housing instead of cash.

UniMi also states that winners receive complete exemption from university fees and one free midday meal from Monday to Saturday. Partial winners receive a 50% fee exemption.

Can International Students Apply?

Yes. International students can apply, including prospective students who have not yet completed their University of Milan enrolment.

The 2026/27 call covers students who enrol or intend to enrol at UniMi. A prospective student can therefore register on the university portal and access the scholarship procedure before completing final enrolment, provided the relevant admission and enrolment conditions are subsequently met.

The scheme mainly covers eligible bachelor’s, master’s and single-cycle master’s students. Some postgraduate and doctoral students may also qualify, but PhD students already receiving a scholarship or research grant, vocational master’s students, postgraduate medical-school students, part-time students and repeating students are generally excluded.

The Financial Test International Applicants Need to Understand

For 2026/27, applicants must generally remain within a University ISEE limit of €26,887.93 and an ISPE asset limit of €58,452.06. The scholarship is divided into three income bands, with students in weaker financial circumstances receiving higher amounts.

International applicants whose families earn income and own assets abroad may instead need an equivalent University ISEE, known as ISEE parificato.

UniMi asks affected applicants to document their household composition, family income earned during 2025, and movable and immovable assets held at 31 December 2025. These documents generally need to come from competent authorities and be translated and legalised according to UniMi’s requirements. This paperwork is worth preparing early rather than waiting until the final application week.

Does Academic Performance Matter?

Yes, because receiving the scholarship does not remove the academic-progress requirement.

First-year students are initially assessed mainly on financial conditions but must subsequently earn the required university credits to retain the benefit. Continuing students are ranked using credits already obtained and average examination results.

For example, first-year bachelor’s and single-cycle master’s students generally need 35 CFU by 10 August 2027, with a five-credit bonus available where permitted.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the University of Milan Online Helpdesk. Students who have not yet enrolled should first register on the UniMi portal and then complete the benefits application with the required financial information. Applying for university admission alone does not automatically submit a DSU scholarship application.

Application Deadline

The last date to apply for the University of Milan Regional DSU Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year is 30 September 2026. Applications opened on 10 July through UniMi’s online system.

For financially constrained international applicants, this is one of UniMi’s most substantial funding routes: it combines direct financial support with meals and fee relief rather than offering a tuition discount alone.