Polytechnic University of Milan - Scholarships for the right to university education

What you get

You receive a mix of cash and services (mainly free canteen meals) for one academic year at the Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano). The cash amount depends on your family's income and on how far you live from campus:

• Local students (within 60 minutes by public transport) receive the least.
• Commuters (60 to 90 minutes) get more.
• Away-from-home students who live in rented accommodation more than 90 minutes away receive the highest amount.

The Lombardy regional government sets the exact figures each year. For 2025/2026 the university offered 1,700 of these scholarships. If you live far away, you can also apply for a discounted room in a university residence. If you take part in an international exchange of 2 to 10 months, you can request an extra contribution towards costs abroad. If you finish a Master's within its official length, you receive a one-off graduation bonus. The scholarship runs for one year only, so you must reapply every year. It cannot be combined with similar public or private scholarships.

Who can apply

• University: You are studying at the Polytechnic University of Milan or are about to enrol. You can apply even before you are officially enrolled, and even before you have taken the entrance exam.
• Degree level: You are enrolled on a Bachelor’s degree programme, a Master’s degree programme under the single-cycle model, a Master’s degree programme, a specialisation programme or a PhD programme. Doctoral students are only eligible to apply if they are not already receiving a scholarship or research funding (paid research grants).
• Field of study: Every subject at the university.
• Nationality: Students of all nationalities, both Italian and international, are eligible to apply.
• No equal degree already: You do not yet hold an Italian or foreign qualification that corresponds to, or is higher than, the degree programme you are applying for.
• Not an exchange student: You are enrolled at the university itself and are not simply taking part in a course as part of an exchange programme organised by a foreign university.
• Financial need: Your family’s income and assets must be below the annual thresholds set by the Lombardy Region. You must provide evidence of this by means of a university ISEE (an official Italian indicator used to assess your financial situation) or an equivalent certificate if your income comes from abroad.
• Grades: First-year students are primarily assessed on the basis of their financial need; however, they must earn a specified number of ECTS credits (university credits) by 10 August in order to retain their funding. Students in higher semesters must have already achieved a minimum number of credits before submitting their application.

How to apply

First, obtain your ISEE from the university. Then apply for the grant via the university’s online service portal under ‘Benefits and Agreements’. The deadline is 21 July (12:00 Italian time) if you are progressing to a higher year of study, and on 5 August (12:00 Italian time) if you are starting your first year of study at any level, including a PhD.

How realistic are your chances?

As 1,700 scholarships are awarded in a single year, the pool of applicants is large, and selection is based on strict, verifiable criteria rather than on a competitive essay. If your family income is below the regional threshold and you maintain your academic performance, you have a good chance of success. Make sure your ISEE certificate is submitted in good time, as everything depends on meeting the deadline with valid proof of income.