DSU - Tuscan - Conributions for rent

Contributo Affitto (rent contribution) from DSU Toscana

You will receive a one-off rent allowance of 3,150 EUR if you have been awarded a full-year scholarship, or 1,575 EUR if you have been awarded a half-year scholarship. Subject to funds being available, you may also receive a supplementary grant of up to 100 EUR per month for the months during which you are receiving funding. This grant is paid by DSU Toscana, the regional authority for the right to higher education in Tuscany. It forms part of the Tuscany Region’s ‘Giovanisì’ programme and is co-funded by the EU. The grant covers your rent if you have been allocated a place in student accommodation but no room was actually available.

Who can apply

• Your status: You were awarded both a DSU grant (borsa di studio) and a place in student accommodation, but were not allocated a room because the halls of residence were full.
• University: You are studying at a university, a college, an art academy or a conservatoire in Tuscany, for example in Florence, Pisa or Siena.
• Study phase: You are currently studying for your first degree at your respective level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD or a degree at a university of applied sciences.
• Financial need: You meet the income thresholds set out in the call for applications in accordance with ISEE and ISPE. These are official Italian indicators of your household’s income and assets.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.
• Rental contract: You are renting a flat under a valid tenancy agreement for at least 6 months in the town where your degree programme is mainly based, or in a neighbouring town.
• Choosing rent instead of a room: You can claim the rent allowance instead of a place in student accommodation if you have a disability, have children under the age of 18, live with a spouse or registered partner, or are studying in a town where there is no DSU hall of residence.

How to apply

You apply online via the ‘Sportello Studente’ portal using your own login details and attach a copy of your tenancy agreement. The deadlines depend on your stage of study: 15 December for Bachelor’s and Master’s students, 28 January for PhD students and students on specialisation programmes, and 20 April for students admitted following the filter semester (all by 13:00 Italian time).

How realistic are your chances?

You don’t receive this on the basis of your own achievements. It is a fallback option that only comes into play if you already have both a DSU scholarship and a place in student accommodation, and there are no more rooms available. If you find yourself in precisely this situation, meet the income thresholds and can provide a valid tenancy agreement for 6 months, you should be eligible for this grant. Make sure you apply within the deadline, as the grant is only awarded for periods for which you have submitted a valid tenancy agreement.