Universidade Aberta - Financial support for students

Financial support for students at Universidade Aberta

You will receive a means-tested annual scholarship covering your tuition fees and a living allowance. It is paid out for one academic year at a time by the Universidade Aberta (UAb), Portugal’s public open university. The amount is calculated on an individual basis. The starting point is a reference value equal to 11 times the Portuguese Social Assistance Index (IAS), which currently stands at 509.26 EUR, i.e. approximately 5,600 EUR plus your tuition fees. The grant is then reduced in line with your family’s per capita income, but will never fall below 125% of the tuition fees you actually pay. There are also additional support payments available in certain situations. If you have a disability of 60% or higher, you can receive a grant covering your tuition fees up to a maximum of 2,750 EUR, regardless of your income. If you do not live at home, you can apply for a monthly housing allowance. In a crisis situation, a one-off emergency grant of up to three times the IAS is available. The grant is not automatically renewed, so you must reapply for it each year.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled at the Universidade Aberta on a bachelor’s degree programme (Licenciatura), a master’s degree programme (Mestrado) or an advanced vocational degree programme.
• Residence: You live in Portugal.
• Field of study: Any topic is allowed.
• No earlier degree: You have not yet obtained the qualification you are currently studying for.
• Study load: You are enrolled for at least 30 ECTS credits, although exceptions apply to your final year or your dissertation.
• Progress: You have earned at least 36 ECTS credits in the past academic year.
• Financial need: Your family’s per capita income is no more than 23 times the IAS, i.e. approximately 11,713 euros per year, and your family’s liquid assets do not exceed 240 times the IAS.
• Finish on time: You can complete your degree within one additional year (for degree programmes lasting up to 3 years) or within two additional years (for longer degree programmes).
• Taxes in order: Your tax and social security contributions are up to date.
• Working students: You will be eligible for more favourable terms. The income threshold will be raised, and the majority of your earned income will not be taken into account when calculating the amount per person.

How to apply

You apply online via the national platform ‘BeOn’, which is operated by the Instituto para o Ensino Superior (IES). If this is your first time applying, please email the UAb in advance to request your login details. If you have applied before, please use your existing login details. For the period from 2026 to 2027, the application window runs from 14 August to 2 October, or within 20 working days of enrolment if this takes place later. Applications submitted from 3 October to 31 May will still be accepted, although funding for the remainder of the year will be reduced. The UAb’s Student Financial Support Department reviews each application and makes a decision on it.