Study in Italy for Free with Scholarships

Italy is a favorite destination for a large number of international students. It is a cultural country with a major role in the Renaissance movement in Europe. Besides, it offers all modern facilities to students, which are also a major reason for students getting attracted to this nation.

When international students decide to study in Italy, many of them are concerned about the fees and other expenses. But, there are numerous scholarship options in Italy that allow them to study their free-of-cost. Some scholarships may cover your tuition fees, whereas many others may provide you with the cost of your accommodation and other expenses also. Public universities in Italy are usually subsidized, in which tuition fees are often reduced to zero. Moreover, you can also get free accommodation and meals. Here, you will read how you can get free education in Italy with the help of scholarships.

Some Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy in 2026

1. DSU Regional Scholarships

DSU Regional Scholarships cover a lot of the expenses of students. First, they cover the tuition fees for international students. Besides, free meals and accommodations in dorms are also available under scholarships. Moreover, a stipend is also offered based on the family income, which is often over €5,000–€7,000+ per year.

2. MAECI Scholarship Offered by the Italian Government

The MAECI Scholarship is available for those students who are seeking to study Master’s/PhD programs in Italy. It is awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Italy. Your full tuition fee and health insurance are covered under this scholarship. Furthermore, the stipend of ~€900 is also offered under this scholarship.

3. Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)

These are the other special scholarships that you can find in Italy. It is specifically for Master’s students in engineering, economics, or management. In this category, you find scholarships and mandatory internships.

4. University-Specific Scholarships

There are many university-specific scholarships available in Italy. You need to check the university where you are going to enroll in order to get the benefit of the scholarship there. Here are some of the university-specific scholarships you need to avail.

• University of Bologna’s Study Grants

The University of Bologna is the oldest university in continuous operations in the world, and it is still chosen by a large number of international students for their higher education. This university offers study grants of ~€11,000 for excellent international students.

• Padua International Excellence Scholarship

The Padua International Excellence Scholarship is offered by the University of Padua in Italy. In this scholarship, you get €8,000 and tuition waivers.

• Politecnico di Milano Merit Scholarships

Politecnico di Milano offers these scholarships. In such scholarships, you find various tiers of support.

• Bocconi Merit and International Awards

Bocconi University offers Bocconi Merit and International Awards, in which you get up to 100% tuition coverage.

How to Apply for Scholarships in Italy

There are different procedures to apply for distinct scholarships in Italy. We can take DSU scholarships as an example. For this, first you need to get enrolled in a university in Italy, such as Sapienza University of Rome, University of Milan, University of Pisa, or any other. Then you need to prepare documents like ISEE Parificato to prove low income, which should be typically below ~€24,500/year, for major fee waivers. Then you should apply to the specific regional body, such as the EDISU Piemonte, LazioDiSCo, etc., for accommodation and stipends. Then you need to submit the application early. You get deadlines usually mid-year through early spring for the following academic year.

For other types of scholarships, you need to contact the concerned authorities or check the websites related to those scholarships.

When to Apply for a Scholarship

Many of the scholarships are offered to students from low-income families. Therefore, if your family has a low income, you can apply for the scholarships. You need to present the documents as proof of income, which will help you get the scholarships.

Besides, some scholarships are offered to excellent students on the basis of merit. So, if your academic record is excellent, then you can apply for the scholarships in Italy.

Summing Up: What You Find by Getting a Scholarship in Italy

There are different types of scholarship options for international students who are planning to go to Italy for higher education, which allow them to get free education. You can apply for such scholarships if your academic performance is excellent or your family income is low.

By getting a scholarship in Italy:

• You can get a tuition fee waiver.
• You can also get accommodation for free in certain types of housing arrangements.
• You can also get the meals free of cost.
• You can also get stipends to manage your daily expenses.

So, it proves to be beneficial for you to find a scholarship if you go to study in Italy. Different scholarships have different plans; therefore, you need to check the type of scholarship before applying.

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