University of Messina (Messina/Italy) - Fees exemption for disabled Students

What you get

If you are studying at the University of Messina (UniME) in Italy and have a recognised disability, you will pay no tuition fees, or heavily reduced ones. This is not a grant in the form of a cash payment. Rather, it means that the amount you would otherwise have to pay is waived or reduced. How much you save depends on your recognised level of disability:

• Disability of 66% or more, or recognised under Italian Law 104/1992 (Art. 3(1)): full exemption from the total annual tuition fees (COA).
• Disability of 66% or more: Furthermore, you do not have to pay the regional tuition fee (Tassa Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio).
• Disability between 31% and 65%: The COA decreases by 2.8% for every percentage point above 31%.

The exemption applies for the entire duration of your enrolment. It is based on Italian law, so the university grants it as a statutory entitlement rather than as a merit-based benefit. You will also receive additional support, such as study mentors, sign language interpreters, extended examination time and accessible facilities.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled at the University of Messina.
• Degree level: Both Bachelor’s and Master’s students are eligible to apply.
• Field of study: All subjects.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Disability certificate: You hold a valid disability card in accordance with Act 104/1992 or a civil law disability certificate (verbale di invalidità civile) stating the degree and nature of your disability. This must still be valid at the time of your enrolment.

How to apply

There is no separate application form and no deadline. You apply for the exemption as part of the standard enrolment process by uploading proof of your disability via the University’s online platform ESSE3 under ‘dichiarazione di disabilità’. If your disability is temporary or is currently under review, please re-upload the supporting documents each time you renew your enrolment.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a statutory entitlement, not a selection process. There is neither a selection process nor a fixed number of places. If you are enrolled at the University of Messina and provide a valid certificate of disability that meets the required criteria, you will be granted the exemption. Please ensure that your certificate is up to date at the time of enrolment, as an expired document is the most common reason for an application being rejected.