University of Bologna (Bologna/Italy) - Tuition fees exemption for students with disabilities and children of disability pension beneficiaries

What you get

At the University of Bologna in Italy, you pay no variable tuition fees. The only remaining cost is a fixed enrolment fee of 157.04 euros per year. This covers all variable fees and tuition fees, so the savings add up over the course of your studies. The exemption may apply for the entire duration of your studies. There are no conditions regarding income or grades.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at the University of Bologna.
• Your situation: Either you have a recognised incapacity for work under civil law of at least 66%, or a disability recognised under Italian law 104/92, OR one of your parents is in receipt of the Italian incapacity pension (pensione di inabilita) pursuant to Article 12 of Law 118/1971.
• Income and grades: No entry requirements. Your financial situation and your grades don’t matter.
• Degree level: Every level. If you have a disability, you can also claim this for a further qualification, even if you already hold a university degree.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Nationality: Anyone who is enrolled is eligible to take part, regardless of their nationality.

How to apply

There is neither a call for applications nor a selection process. If you have a disability, please send proof of this to the Student Registration Office via the university’s virtual helpdesk. If you are the child of a person receiving a disability pension, please email the Registrar’s Office a self-declaration signed by your parent on the official form. You must resubmit this declaration every academic year. For 2026/27, the deadline is 18 December.

How realistic are your chances?

This is an automatic exemption and not a merit-based scholarship. If you meet the eligibility criteria and provide proof of this, you will be granted the exemption without a ranking list being drawn up alongside other applicants. The only real risk is that you may be unable to prove your eligibility. You should therefore ensure that your certificate or your parents’ self-declaration is correct and submitted on time. If you opt for the disability pension route, the full fees may be charged again if you miss the deadline on 18 December.