A.Di.S.U. Umbria - Special grants for students with serious difficulties

A.Di.S.U. Umbria hardship grant

You will receive a one-off payment of up to 1,800 EUR if a sudden crisis in your life or your family’s life threatens to jeopardise your studies. The exact amount depends on where you live whilst studying: around 700 EUR if you live at home near your university, around 1,200 EUR if you commute, and up to 1,800 EUR if you rent a flat away from your parents’ home. Students with a recognised disability receive an additional 900 EUR, bringing the maximum amount to 2,700 EUR. The money comes from A.Di.S.U. Umbria, the regional agency supporting students in Umbria, Italy. You will receive it once during your entire course of study.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at a university, conservatoire, art academy or higher education institution in Umbria that falls under this scheme, including the two universities and the music conservatoire in Perugia.
• A serious setback: Something has happened over the past year that is putting your studies at risk. Examples: A family member has lost their job, a parent has died, your parents have separated, someone in your household has fallen seriously ill, you are looking after young children, or you are ill yourself.
• Income limit: Your household’s ISEE is no more than approximately 27,727 euros, or around 28,750 euros if you have a disability. The ISEE is the official measure of families’ income and assets in Italy.
• Study progress: You have achieved the minimum number of examination results required for your year of study and your degree programme.
• No other grant: You are not receiving either a standard A.Di.S.U. scholarship or any other form of public or private hardship support for the same year.
• First degree of this level: You do not yet hold a qualification at the same level or a higher level than the one you are currently aiming for.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they are enrolled at an eligible institution.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the A.Di.S.U. Umbria portal in the ‘Istanze digitali’ (digital applications) section. For the 2024/2025 round, the deadline was 16 June at 12:00 midday. Applications are ranked according to the exact date and time of submission. Funding is allocated starting from the top of the list until the budget is exhausted; therefore, it is important to apply early.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is aimed narrowly at students in Umbria facing a genuine, documented crisis, so the pool is small. Places are filled first come, first served until the funds are used up, so submitting the moment the window opens is the biggest thing in your control. If you clearly meet the income and credit limits and can prove your hardship, your prospects are good.