University of Venice (Venice/Italy) - Scholarships for right to study

Right-to-study scholarship at Ca' Foscari Venice

Whilst studying at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, you will receive an annual means-tested grant to cover your living costs. A means-tested grant means that the amount you receive depends on your family’s income, not on your grades. In addition, you are exempt from tuition fees and are entitled to discounted meals in the canteen. The amount you receive also depends on how far you live from the university. If you live a long way away and pay for accommodation nearby, you can receive around 7,000 to 8,100 EUR per year. Commuters and local residents receive less, around 1,400 to 4,800 EUR per year. There are supplementary payments: an additional 15% if your income is very low, an additional 20% for women studying STEM subjects, and a bonus for completing your degree on time. The grant can be awarded for up to 42 months, thus covering the entire duration of your studies. The university administers it on behalf of the Veneto Region; it is funded by regional, national and EU funds.

Who can apply

• Level: You are enrolled on a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme at Ca’ Foscari Venice. PhD students are only eligible to apply if they are not already receiving a separate PhD scholarship.
• Field of study: All compartments are open.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, regardless of whether they are Italian nationals, EU citizens or non-EU citizens.
• First time only: You must be taking this course for the first time. Having previously completed a qualification at the same or a higher level will generally exclude you from taking part.
• Income limit: Your family’s ISEE must be less than approximately 26,306 EUR, and your assets (ISPE) must be less than approximately 43,126 EUR. ISEE and ISPE are the official Italian indicators of household income and assets used to determine eligibility for student grants.
• Grades: In the first year, you simply need to meet the income thresholds. From the second year onwards, you must complete a specified number of credits by August each year; this number increases with each academic year.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the university’s student portal. You must also submit your ISEE income certificate to the INPS by the same deadline. For most students, the deadline is 30 September. First-year Master’s students and those changing degree programmes have until 18 December. There is no interview. An automatic ranking based on income and credit points determines who is awarded a place.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a means-tested scholarship with fixed income thresholds; it is not a competitive process involving essays or interviews. If your ISEE score is below the threshold and you meet the academic requirements, you have a genuine chance of being awarded the scholarship. Funds are limited and are awarded on a merit basis, with 30% reserved for first-year students and 70% for students in higher semesters, meaning that applicants with lower incomes are given higher priority. Apply by the deadline and submit your ISEE certificate in good time, as failure to do so will result in disqualification.