NOVA University Lisbon - Social Emergency Fund - for students with financial problems

What you get

You will receive one-off emergency help if a sudden financial problem jeopardises your studies at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. The amount depends on your circumstances and must not exceed your annual tuition fees. Payment is made in a single instalment. The support may take the form of meal vouchers for the university canteens, a full or partial subsidy towards your rent in a student hall of residence, assistance with tuition fees, or other essentials required for your studies. The fund is managed by NOVA’s Social Services (SASNOVA). It covers cases not covered by the national grants scheme (DGES).

A second option is to work as a student assistant: you help out with university activities, projects and events. You will receive an hourly wage of 5 EUR or remuneration in the form of meal vouchers, a contribution towards your rent or tuition fees, or other benefits in kind.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.
• Degree level: You are studying on a Bachelor’s degree programme (1 cycle) or an integrated Master’s degree programme.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Financial need: To qualify for emergency assistance, you must be able to prove that you are facing a sudden financial problem that is not covered by the government’s DGES grants.
• Nationality: You are Portuguese, a foreign student with a permanent residence permit, or a refugee with temporary protection status.
• Grades: Where two candidates are equally suitable, preference will be given to the one with the better academic record.

How to apply

You apply online via the SASNOVA website. You provide your personal and academic details, information about your household composition, and a statement explaining your circumstances. There is no fixed application deadline. The fund is open all year round, subject to availability of funds.

If you want to explore further funding options beyond this emergency support, our guide Scholarships in Portugal brings together scholarships and funding across Portugal.