Chaves Municipality - Higher Education Scholarship for students living in Chaves

Chaves Municipality higher education scholarship

You will receive a monthly payment for up to 10 months per academic year, which is paid from the first month of your studies. The amount is calculated on an individual basis and is based on the state study grant amount set by the Direcção-Geral do Ensino Superior (the Portuguese authority responsible for state funding of higher education). In practice, the amount is approximately 200 EUR per month if you are studying outside the Chaves area, and approximately 75 EUR per month if you are studying within that area. The funding is provided by the Chaves City Council (Câmara Municipal de Chaves) to enable students from the region to study for a ‘Licenciatura’ (a bachelor’s degree). You can renew the grant each year, provided you meet the eligibility criteria, up to the standard duration of your studies and for a maximum of 6 years. You may also combine it with a grant from another organisation.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You have been living in the district of Chaves for at least 5 years, as evidenced by a certificate issued by your local parish council (Junta de Freguesia).
• Level: You are studying on a ‘Licenciatura’ (Bachelor’s) degree programme at a recognised public, private or cooperative higher education institution in Portugal, such as a university, a university of applied sciences or a higher education college.
• Not yet a graduate: You do not yet hold a ‘Licenciatura’ or Bachelor’s degree.
• Entry grade: You began your degree with an entry grade point average of at least 12 out of 20.
• Progress: If you were enrolled last year, you have passed and progressed to the next stage of your degree programme.
• Financial need: Your household income per person per month does not exceed the ‘Indexante dos Apoios Sociais’ (the Portuguese reference value for social benefits), and your household’s assets do not exceed 150,000 EUR.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Nationality: All nationalities welcome.

How to apply

You apply online through the municipal website, filling in the form and uploading your documents. For the 2026/2027 year you can apply from 28 September to 31 October 2026. Applicants are then ranked by a formula that weighs financial need and entry grade equally. The final list of awards is published in early January 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

The local authority awards up to 60 grants each year: 45 for students studying outside Chaves, and 15 for students studying within Chaves. The exact number depends on the local authority’s annual budget.