University of Milan DSU Scholarship 2026-27 is a major financial aid opportunity for students planning to study at the University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano, La Statale) in Italy. The regional scholarship, officially known as the Borsa di Studio per il diritto allo studio universitario, combines financial assistance with university fee exemptions and access to subsidized or free meals.
For the 2026/27 academic year, eligible students in the lowest income bracket can receive up to €8,248 per year as a fuori sede student, with additional increases available in certain circumstances. The scholarship also provides exemption from the second university fee instalment and free daily meals under the applicable conditions.
The programme is open to both Italian and international students who meet the required economic and academic conditions.
What Is the University of Milan DSU Scholarship?
The University of Milan DSU Scholarship is a regional right-to-study benefit financed jointly by Regione Lombardia and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research (MUR).
Unlike scholarships based solely on academic excellence, the DSU system considers both economic circumstances and academic regularity. Students must meet the applicable income requirements as well as the academic requirements for their year of study.
The scholarship can support students enrolled in several types of programmes, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, single-cycle master’s programmes, doctoral programmes and specialization programmes.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to international students looking for ways to reduce the cost of studying in Milan.
University of Milan DSU Scholarship Benefits
The 2026/27 DSU package offers several forms of financial and practical support.
Cash Scholarship
The amount depends on the student’s income bracket and housing classification.
For students in the lowest income bracket, the annual amounts are:
- In sede: €3,430
- Pendolare: €4,820
- Fuori sede: €8,248
The published amounts already include the value of the free daily meal.
Students in the second and third income brackets receive lower amounts according to the applicable table.
Tuition Fee Exemption
Eligible beneficiaries and students classified as idonei are exempt from paying the second university fee instalment. Students receiving partial benefits generally receive a 50% exemption instead.
Free Meals
The scholarship includes access to the university catering service under the applicable conditions. Free catering is scheduled from 1 January to 31 December 2027, excluding August.
Additional Increases
The scholarship may be increased by:
- 20% for female students enrolled in STEM courses
- 20% for eligible students enrolled simultaneously in two degree programmes
- Up to 40% for students with disabilities, subject to assessment
- A graduation premium equal to half of the final-year cash amount for qualifying students who graduate within the normal programme duration.
Female students in STEM courses can therefore receive up to €8,606.40 per year in the applicable fuori sede circumstances.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is available to students who are enrolled or intend to enrol full-time at the University of Milan during the 2026/27 academic year.
Eligible programme categories include:
- Three-year bachelor’s degrees (Laurea)
- Five- or six-year single-cycle master’s degrees
- Two-year master’s degrees
- Specialization programmes
- PhD programmes
Both Italian and international students can apply if they satisfy the relevant economic and academic requirements.
Economic Requirements
For 2026/27, applicants must satisfy both of the following limits:
- ISEE Università: maximum €26,887.93
- ISPE: maximum €58,452.06
International students whose family income and assets are abroad may need to provide foreign financial documentation and obtain the appropriate equivalent ISEE assessment. The requirements can depend on the applicant’s country of origin.
Applicants should begin preparing foreign income and asset documents early because legalization, translation and related documentation can take time.
Academic Requirements
Financial eligibility alone does not guarantee that the scholarship will be retained.
For first-year students, the benefit is initially awarded provisionally and academic performance is subsequently checked.
For bachelor’s and single-cycle master’s students, first-year applicants generally need to obtain 35 CFU by 10 August 2027 to confirm the full benefit. For master’s students, the requirement is 20–23 CFU, depending on the programme.
Upper-year students must satisfy the applicable credit requirements by the specified cut-off date.
Students should therefore carefully monitor their academic progress after receiving the scholarship.
Special Rules for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine
The DSU scholarship is particularly relevant to international students interested in studying Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine at the University of Milan.
Students entering the semestre aperto pathway can submit their scholarship application between 10 July and 30 September 2026, even if their final enrolment at UNIMI has not yet been completed.
These applicants are placed in a separate Borsa del secondo semestre ranking, with the benefit becoming available after successful enrolment in the second semester.
International students who complete the semestre aperto at another university and subsequently gain admission to UNIMI may have a later application opportunity, indicatively around January/February 2027, subject to a dedicated public notice.
Housing Status and Scholarship Amount
Where a student lives has a major impact on the scholarship amount.
In Sede
Students whose family residence is within 60 minutes of the course location by public transport fall into this category.
Amount: €2,143–€3,430
Pendolare
This applies where the family residence is between 61 and 90 minutes from the course location by public transport.
Amount: €3,299–€4,820
Fuori Sede
Students living more than 90 minutes away who meet the accommodation requirements can qualify as fuori sede.
Amount: €5,857–€8,248, before applicable increases.
Students seeking fuori sede status must provide the required registered rental contract. The standard deadline for uploading the contract is 16 November 2026.
Key Deadlines
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 10 July 2026 | DSU application opens |
| 7 August 2026 | DSU signature deadline if also applying for university housing |
| 30 September 2026, 23:59 GMT+2 | Final scholarship application deadline |
| 31 October 2026 | Provisional rankings |
| 16 November 2026 | Rental contract deadline for fuori sede status |
| 30 November 2026 | Definitive ranking |
| 31 December 2026 | First payment for beneficiaries |
| 10 August 2027 | First-year academic credit deadline |
| 31 October 2027 | Second payment for first-year students after merit verification |
| 30 November 2027 | Final first-year merit deadline |
The 30 September 2026 deadline is mandatory: the online application must be completed and confirmed by 23:59 (GMT+2).
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Confirm that they meet the academic and economic requirements.
- Prepare their ISEE documentation or, where applicable, foreign income and asset documentation.
- Complete the DSU application through the University of Milan’s student portal.
- Submit and confirm the application before the deadline.
- If applying as fuori sede, provide the required rental documentation within the applicable deadline.
- Monitor the provisional and definitive rankings.
- Complete enrolment requirements and maintain the required academic progress.
Official University of Milan DSU Portal: Apply through the University of Milan Student Portal
Applicants should also consult the University of Milan official website for updated notices and instructions.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | University of Milan DSU |
| Academic Year | 2026/27 |
| University | University of Milan – La Statale |
| Country | Italy |
| Maximum standard cash amount | €8,248/year |
| Female STEM maximum stated | €8,606.40/year |
| Tuition benefit | Second fee instalment exemption |
| Meal benefit | Free catering under applicable conditions |
| ISEE limit | €26,887.93 |
| ISPE limit | €58,452.06 |
| Main deadline | 30 September 2026, 23:59 GMT+2 |
| Application | Online |
Final Thoughts
The University of Milan DSU Scholarship 2026-27 is one of the significant financial aid opportunities available to students planning to study at the University of Milan. Unlike a conventional merit-only scholarship, the DSU system combines economic eligibility with academic requirements, making it especially relevant to students who may need financial assistance to study in Italy.
Eligible fuori sede students can receive up to €8,248 per year, alongside the applicable meal and tuition benefits. Additional increases may be available for qualifying female STEM students, students with disabilities, and students enrolled in two degree programmes.
For international applicants, preparing financial documentation early is particularly important. Most importantly, applicants should remember that the 30 September 2026 deadline is strict and that meeting the initial economic requirements does not remove the need to satisfy subsequent academic requirements.
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