Sacro Cuore Catholic University (Milan/Italy) - Tax break

What you get

At the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) in Italy, you will pay lower tuition fees, depending on your family income. This is not a cash grant, but a reduction in tuition fees. The UCSC assigns each enrolled student to one of six income brackets, which determine the variable portion of your annual tuition fees. This classification is based on the ISEE, the official Italian income certificate.

Your annual fee is split into five instalments. The first two are fixed at 1,500 EUR, followed by 1,000 EUR for a Bachelor’s or single-cycle degree programme and 1,200 EUR for a Master’s degree programme. The third, fourth and fifth instalments are based on your family income, your degree programme and the size of your family. On top of this, there is a regional tuition fee: 130 EUR, 160 EUR or 190 EUR, depending on your income. Additional reductions are also available. For example, you will receive 15% on instalments two to five if you earn at least 9,000 EUR net per year from your own work.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at UCSC, regardless of which campus you are on (Milan, Brescia, Piacenza, Rome).
• Degree: You are studying on a Bachelor’s, Master’s or single-cycle degree programme.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. If you or your family live outside Italy, please submit your ISEEUP certificate instead of the standard ISEE certificate.
• Financial need: The lower your household income, the lower your fees will be. If you do not declare your income, you will pay the maximum rate.

How to apply

Enter your income details via your personal iCatt page (your UCSC student account). The income declaration is due by the start of December. If you miss the deadline, you will be placed in the highest fee band. If your family lives abroad, apply for the ISEEUP certificate free of charge via the partner tax office (CAF MCL). Instalment payments for 2025/26 are due on 22 September, 18 December, 29 January, 31 March and 28 May.

How realistic are your chances?

As this is not a competition, there is nothing to be won. Any student enrolled at UCSC who declares a lower family income automatically pays less. The only real requirement is that you submit your income details correctly and by the deadline. If you miss the deadline, you will be charged the maximum amount; therefore, only those students who complete the declaration on time will benefit.