Directorate-General for Higher Education - Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES) Scholarship

What you get

You will receive a need-based cash grant from the Portuguese government. This does not need to be repaid. It is paid out in monthly instalments over the course of an academic year, and you can renew it every year. The amount depends on your household income. You can calculate it using the DGES’s online simulator. In 2025/2026, the average grant was around 1,391 EUR per year. For 2026/2027, the maximum amount for the lowest income bracket is around 2,955 EUR. The grant is awarded by the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES). At the Autonomous University of Lisbon (UAL), the University’s Social Services Department (SASE) handles the procedure for its students. If you submit your application after the main deadline has passed, you will receive a reduced grant, which will only be paid from the month following the submission of your application.

Who can apply

• Enrolment: You are enrolled on a recognised Portuguese higher education programme at a public or private higher education institution.
• Level: You are studying on a Licenciatura (Bachelor’s) programme, an integrated Master’s programme, a Master’s programme or a CTeSP (short, vocationally-oriented higher education programme). A separate set of rules applies to PhD students with a disability rating of 60% or higher.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Financial need: Your household income is below the specified threshold. If you are in employment or earn income from holiday jobs, the threshold is higher (12,569.89 EUR for 2025/2026).
• No prior degree: You do not already hold a higher education degree.
• Nationality: You are a Portuguese national, an EU citizen with permanent residence in Portugal (or a family member as defined by Law 37/2006) or, in certain cases – such as refugees – a non-EU citizen. Students from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine who are under protection may be eligible regardless of their income and may receive the maximum grant (approximately 5,982 EUR in 2025/2026).
• Tax status: Your tax and social security contributions are up to date.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the BeOn platform on the DGES website. The main application period for 2026/2027 runs from 25 June to 30 September 2026. Late applications will be accepted from 3 October 2026 to 31 May 2027, but only for a reduced scholarship. New applicants will first need login details. First-year students can apply for these after enrolling at UAL. All others must register in person at the UAL SASE office in advance, bringing their identity card.

You can find more scholarships in our guide Scholarships in Portugal.