University of Milan Scholarship in Italy 2026/27 (Full or Partial Funding)

The University of Milan, one of Italy’s largest and most respected public universities, runs a regional financial aid program every year for both Italian and international students who can demonstrate financial need alongside solid academic performance. This support falls under Italy’s Diritto allo Studio Universitario system, commonly known as DSU, and is jointly funded by the Lombardy Region and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research.

One thing worth clarifying upfront: this is not an automatic full-ride scholarship for every student who applies. It is a needs-based and merit-based aid program with two tiers of support. Full scholarship winners receive complete tuition exemption, while partial scholarship winners receive a 50% reduction. Every selected student also gets free daily meals and, in some cases, a graduation incentive award.

If you are exploring other funding options for studying in Italy, our articles on University of Trento Scholarships in Italy and the full range of University of Milan Scholarships cover additional programs worth comparing before you apply.

Scholarship Overview

• Host country: Italy
• Host university: University of Milan (La Statale)
• Scholarship type: Regional financial aid (DSU system)
• Funded by: Lombardy Region and Italy’s Ministry of University and Research
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Eligible applicants: Italian and international students enrolled or applying to an eligible degree program
• Application deadline: September 30, 2026, 23:59 (GMT+2)

Scholarship Benefits

The exact benefits depend on the applicant’s scholarship status following the university’s evaluation, but the full range of possible support includes:

• Direct financial support, calculated according to the applicant’s economic situation
• Full exemption from university tuition fees for full scholarship winners
• 50% tuition fee exemption for partial scholarship winners
• One free midday meal, Monday through Saturday
• A graduation incentive award for eligible students who complete their degree within the standard program duration, subject to available funding

Because the benefit level depends on individual evaluation, not every recipient gets the same package. It’s worth reading the official DSU regulations closely once you’re preparing your application, so you know which tier you’re likely to qualify for.

International Mobility Allowance

A lesser-known part of this program is the International Mobility Allowance, available to students who already hold the Regional Scholarship and take part in a university-certified study abroad program. This allowance can be claimed once per study level and includes:

• €600 per month for the approved study abroad period, up to a maximum of 10 months, including any EU mobility grants received
• Travel reimbursement of up to €100 for mobility within European countries
• Travel reimbursement of up to €500 for mobility in countries outside Europe
• Compensation for free meals missed during the study abroad period

To qualify, the student must meet the Regional Scholarship requirements and be enrolled in an international mobility program officially certified by the university.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

• Be an Italian or international student applying to, or already enrolled in, a full-time program at the University of Milan
• Apply for an eligible Bachelor’s, Master’s, Single-Cycle Master’s, Doctoral Research, or Postgraduate School program
• Meet the academic merit and financial requirements set out in the official call
• Submit all required documents by the specified deadline
• Applicants whose household income and assets are outside Italy must also provide the required financial documentation for assessment

Who Generally Doesn’t Qualify

Before you invest time preparing an application, it’s worth checking whether you fall into one of the categories the university generally excludes:

• Students who already hold an Italian academic qualification at the same or a higher level than the program they are applying for
• Students receiving a similar scholarship or financial aid for the same academic year
• Students enrolled on a part-time basis
• Students repeating a program year
• Students enrolled on a shortened degree program
• Medical students with a specialist training contract applying through postgraduate schools
• Doctoral research students already receiving a scholarship or research fellowship

How to Apply

One detail that trips up a lot of applicants: the scholarship application is completely separate from the university admission application. Both need to be completed, each within its own deadline, for your scholarship application to be considered valid.

1. Apply for admission: Submit your admission application to an eligible Bachelor’s, Master’s, Single-Cycle Master’s, Doctoral Research, or Postgraduate program at the University of Milan. If you’re a new international student, you’ll also need to follow the university’s specific admission procedures for international applicants.
2. Complete the online scholarship application: Access the Online Helpdesk, also known as the Benefits Service Desk, and fill out the Regional Scholarship application. Double-check that all the information you enter is accurate.
3. Upload the required documents: Submit all supporting documents before the application deadline. If your household income and assets are outside Italy, you’ll also need to submit the specific financial documentation required for the university to assess your eligibility.
4. Submit your application: Review everything carefully before submitting through the Online Helpdesk. The deadline for the 2026/27 Regional Scholarship is September 30, 2026, at 23:59 (GMT+2). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
5. Check your results: After the application period closes, the university publishes provisional and final ranking lists through the Online Helpdesk. If you believe there’s an error in your evaluation, you can file an appeal during the official appeal period before final rankings are published.

Official scholarship page: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/financial-support/regional-scholarships

Is This Scholarship Worth Applying For?

Even without automatic full funding, this remains one of the more solid financial aid options for students who want to study in Italy on a tight budget. Between tuition exemption, guaranteed meals six days a week, and the possibility of an extra €600 monthly stipend during a mobility period, the overall package is genuinely competitive for anyone who qualifies.

If you’d rather apply for a scholarship with a fixed funding package from the start, our article on University of Trento Scholarships in Italy covers a program that includes tuition coverage, accommodation, and living costs as a set package rather than a tiered one.

Final Thoughts

The University of Milan Regional Scholarship remains one of the more reliable ways to fund your studies in Italy, even though the exact level of support depends on individual assessment rather than a flat guarantee. The most important thing to understand before you start is that you’ll need to complete two separate processes, admission and the scholarship application, and make sure both are finished within their respective deadlines.

The September 30, 2026 deadline applies specifically to the scholarship application. It’s a good idea to secure your university admission well ahead of time so you can focus on the financial aid application without rushing, especially if you need to gather documentation related to income earned outside Italy.