Universidade do Minho - Fundo de Apoio Social

What you get

You receive a one-off payment you never pay back. It helps you cover short-term money problems during your studies. The grant can pay your tuition fees, or help with housing, food, transport and similar costs. The most you can get equals one year's bachelor's tuition fee for that academic year. If you are a final-year master's or integrated master's student, the maximum is a quarter of that fee. If your family's income per person is very low, you may get an extra top-up. In an emergency, you can also get special help for food, housing, health care or a computer. The money comes with no charges and can be paid in one go or in instalments. It is provided by the Social Services of the University of Minho (SASUM).

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled in a bachelor's, integrated master's or master's course at the University of Minho.
• Financial need: Your family income per person is at or below a set limit, and your family's savings and investments stay under a fixed ceiling. You apply because you face real money trouble.
• No double funding: You do not already hold a DGES study grant (the national student grant) for the same academic year.
• Grant refusal first: As a rule, your DGES national grant application must already have been turned down. The exception is if you have no access to direct social support.
• Grades: Last academic year you passed at least 36 ECTS credits, or 60% of the credits you signed up for. Final-year students with only a dissertation or internship left do not need to meet this.
• No equal or higher degree: You do not already hold a degree at the same level as your course, or higher.
• Nationality: Portuguese students can apply. Foreign students can also apply if they prove a residence or stay permit in Portugal. If you hold formal "international student" status you cannot apply, unless you have emergency humanitarian status.

How to apply

You apply online through the SASUM Portal (portal.sas.uminho.pt). Register an account first if you do not have one. The application window runs from 1 October to 30 June of the academic year you are enrolled in. Once you start, you have 10 working days to upload all documents, or your application is rejected. You get the decision by email within 60 working days.