Scholarships · Italy

Italy scholarships for Indian students: 2027 guide

Amounts and dates last reviewed on 14 October 2026.

Italy is one of the few countries where a large share of Indian students get funding. Regional DSU grants are based on family income, not just marks, and can cover living costs, a meal plan and a tuition waiver. The paperwork (an ISEE parificato) is what trips most people up.

Most common award: DSU regional grant, about €2,500 to €7,900 a year
Based on: Family income and assets, not just marks
Government award: Italian government: €10,800 for nine months
Intakes: September/October (main)

Book free student counselling WhatsApp us

Main scholarships

Italy scholarships Indian students can apply for

Rupee figures first, local amount underneath. Rates used: €1 = ₹108.4 (ECB reference rates, 9 October 2026). Rates move daily, so treat rupee figures as a guide.

Regional agencies (for example Lazio DiSCo, ER.GO, EDiSU)

DSU regional scholarship (Diritto allo Studio)

Cash grant plus tuition waiver; often meals and housing

Most students can get this

₹2.7 lakh to ₹8.6 lakh€2,500 to €7,900 a year (students living away from home)

What it covers

Yearly cash grant, paid in instalments
Tuition fee waiver
Free or subsidised canteen meals in many regions
Priority for student housing in some regions

Who can get it

Students enrolled at a university in that region, including international students
Family income and assets under the region's limit, shown through an ISEE parificato
To renew, you must pass a minimum number of credits each year

When to apply for 2027: Calls usually open in summer, with deadlines between July and September 2027 depending on the region. Start the ISEE parificato documents three months earlier.

Kompass view: The best scholarship in Europe for middle-income Indian families. The difficulty is the paperwork: family income documents, apostille and translation, done correctly and on time.

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Italian Government Scholarship (MAECI)

€10,800 for nine months

Competitive

₹11.7 lakh€10,800 paid over nine months

What it covers

€10,800 paid in three instalments over the academic year

Who can get it

Foreign students for master's, PhD and art/music (AFAM) courses
Age 28 or under for master's (30 for PhD)
Language level B2 in the course language (Italian or English)

When to apply for 2027: The 2026-27 call closed on 26 March 2026. The 2027-28 call is expected early in 2027 with a deadline around March.

Kompass view: Limited awards per country. Strong academic record and a clear course choice matter most.

Universities such as Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi and Padova

University merit scholarships

Partial to full tuition waiver

Competitive

₹2.7 lakh to ₹10.8 lakh€2,500 to €10,000 a year (Politecnico di Milano range)

What it covers

Tuition waiver and sometimes a cash award

Who can get it

Strong academic profiles, often through an early application round

When to apply for 2027: Early rounds from November 2026 to February 2027 at many universities.

Kompass view: Apply in the first round; later rounds have fewer awards.

Where most of the money comes from

University scholarships and discounts

Italian public university fees are often income-based too, so the same ISEE parificato that unlocks DSU can also lower your tuition. Private universities run their own merit awards.

Typical award

₹1.1 lakh to ₹10.8 lakh€1,000 to €10,000 a year off tuition

Kompass estimate from recent offers. Each university sets its own awards.

What to expect

Income-based tuition bands at public universities can cut fees sharply
Merit awards at Politecnico di Milano: Platinum €10,000, Gold €8,000 a year (recent rounds)
Private universities such as Bocconi publish their own scholarship calls
Most need-based awards require passing a minimum number of credits each year

See what you'd still need to fund

Work out tuition, living costs and visa funds for Italy, then subtract the scholarship.

Free study cost calculator

Timeline

Scholarship calendar for a 2027 start

1
November 2026 to February 2027
University applications and early-round merit scholarships
2
January to March 2027
Italian government (MAECI) call, expected
3
April to June 2027
Collect family income documents for ISEE parificato (apostille and translation)
4
July to September 2027
DSU regional deadlines; ISEE parificato through a CAF

What strengthens your application

Start the ISEE parificato paperwork in April, not August
Choose your region with DSU in mind; amounts and housing vary
Apply in early university rounds for merit awards
Keep passing your credits; DSU renewal depends on it

Common mistakes

Assuming DSU is only for top students (it is income-based)
Leaving the apostille and translation of family documents to the last month
Missing the regional deadline because the university deadline was different
Not passing enough credits in year one and losing the grant

Not sure which scholarships you qualify for?

In a free student counselling session we check your marks, budget and course, and give you a shortlist of scholarships with deadlines.

Book free student counselling

FAQs

Italy scholarships: your questions answered

What is the DSU scholarship in Italy?

A regional grant for students with family income and assets under a set limit. International students can apply. It typically pays about €2,500 to €7,900 a year to students living away from home, plus a tuition waiver, and often meals or housing.

What is an ISEE parificato?

The income and assets statement international students need for DSU and income-based fees. You get it through an Italian CAF office using your family's income documents, apostilled and translated into Italian.

Is the DSU scholarship based on marks?

Mostly on family income. To keep it after year one you must pass a minimum number of credits.

How much is the Italian government (MAECI) scholarship?

€10,800 paid over nine months for master's, PhD and AFAM students. The age limit is 28 for master's. The 2026-27 call closed on 26 March 2026.

When is the DSU deadline for 2027?

Each region sets its own deadline, usually between July and September 2027. Your ISEE parificato may have a separate deadline, so check both.

Can I get DSU and a university merit award together?

Sometimes. Rules differ by region and university. Some merit awards reduce the DSU amount.

Do I need Italian for scholarships?

Not for English-taught courses. The MAECI scholarship needs B2 in the course language. Some Italian helps with the CAF paperwork and daily life.

Can Kompass help with DSU paperwork?

Yes. We help you pick a region and university with good DSU support, plan the document timeline and check your family documents before apostille. You submit applications yourself, and no consultant can guarantee an award.

Keep exploring

More on studying abroad

Study in Italy: full guide All scholarship guides IELTS / PTE scores needed UK scholarships Germany scholarships Ireland scholarships France scholarships Netherlands scholarships

Sources

Embassy of Italy: Italian government scholarships 2026-27 call
Lazio DiSCo: Right to Study call 2025-26
Summary of DSU, MAECI and university awards for international students (2025-26 figures)

Scholarship rules, amounts and deadlines change every year. Dates marked "expected" are based on the last round. We confirm current details for your case at your counselling session. Information on this site is general guidance only and not legal, migration or investment advice. Rules, fees and occupation lists change frequently — always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority before acting.

Get a free scholarship shortlist

Tell us your marks, course and budget. We list the scholarships you can realistically get, with deadlines, and plan your applications around them.

Book free student counselling WhatsApp us