The DSU Scholarship in Italy is a fully funded, need-based financial aid that enables Indian students from low-income backgrounds to study at Italian public universities with minimal or no cost. Managed by regional authorities, DSU covers tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and annual financial support, making it one of the most accessible ways for Indian students to study in Italy affordably. Eligibility depends mainly on family income and assets, not nationality, and applies to bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs. Understanding how to apply for the DSU scholarship early is essential, as the process involves financial and property certificates to be presented within the fixed deadlines, typically aligned with the September intake.
How to Apply DSU Scholarship in Italy: Eligibility, Requirements, Benefits
What is DSU Scholarship in Italy?
The DSU Scholarship (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) is a need-based, government-funded financial aid program in Italy designed to support students from low-income families enrolled in public universities. It is administered by regional authorities in Tuscany and is available to international students, including Indians, at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degree program in the Unviersity of Florence, Pisa, and Siena.
The DSU scholarship covers full or partial tuition fee waivers, free or subsidized accommodation, meal benefits, and an annual cash allowance to support living expenses. Eligibility is determined mainly by family income and asset documentation, rather than academic merit alone, making DSU one of the most accessible scholarships for Indian students seeking to study in Italy at very low cost or study for free.
What is Eligibility Criteria for DSU Toscana Scholarship?
The eligibility criteria for DSU Toscana Scholarship in Italy is mentioned below.
- Applicant must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD Degree program in a recognized Tuscany university.
- Family income of the applicant must be under €23,000 to €27,000 (INR 2927556) annually. Non-EU students, incluing Indian citizens must visit a CAF center (Centro Assistenza Fiscale) in Italy to get their foreign income documents converted into an ISEE Parificato.
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Applicants renewing the DSU Scholarship in the second year must meet the minimum credit requirement, usually between 24 and 30 credits, to remain eligible. First-year applicants are exempt from this requirement.
What Documents are Required for Applying DSU Toscana Scholarship
The mandatory documents required to apply DSU Toscana Scholarship are listed below.
Family income and property owner certificate
Family Tree Certificate (FTC)
Passport
Admission letter / enrollment proof
Family Income Certificate is required to declare the total annual income of parents or legal guardians and must be issued by a competent government authority. A property ownership certificate is mandatory if the family owns land, a house, or other real estate; this document confirms asset value and ownership details.
Indian students must follow strict translation and legalization rules for DSU Toscana. All financial and civil documents must be translated into Italian by a certified translator. After translation, documents require legalization or apostille, depending on issuing authority, usually through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India, and the Italian Embassy or Consulate. Income and asset documents must be issued in the name of parents or guardians, not the student.
How to Apply DSU Scholarship in Italy (Step by Step)?
Below is the step by step guide to apply DSU Scholarship in Italy.
Step 1: Enroll or Pre-Enroll in an Italian University
University admission or pre-enrollment is mandatory before applying for the DSU scholarship. DSU funding is linked directly to enrollment in a public Italian university, so students without an admission offer or pre-enrollment receipt are not considered. Indian students usually apply for DSU after receiving a conditional or confirmed admission letter, which serves as proof of eligibility during the scholarship application stage.
Step 2: Identify Your Regional DSU Authority
DSU scholarships are managed region-wise, not centrally. Each Italian region operates its own authority, such as DSU Toscana (Tuscany), EDISU Piemonte (Piedmont), LazioDisco (Lazio), or EDISU Lombardia. Indian students must apply only through the regional authority where their university is located, as applications submitted to the wrong region are rejected automatically.
Step 3: Apply on the Official DSU Portal
DSU scholarships are managed region-wise, not centrally. Each Italian region operates its own authority, such as DSU Toscana (Tuscany), EDISU Piemonte (Piedmont), LazioDiSCo (Lazio), or EDISU Lombardia. Indian students must apply only through the regional authority where their university is located, as applications submitted to the wrong region are rejected automatically. For DSU Toscana Scholarship, applications are accepted through online through dsu.toscana.it website.
Step 4: Upload Documents & Submit Application
DSU scholarships are managed region-wise, not centrally. Each Italian region operates its own authority, such as DSU Toscana (Tuscany), EDISU Piemonte (Piedmont), LazioDiSCo (Lazio), or EDISU Lombardia. Indian students must apply only through the regional authority where their university is located, as applications submitted to the wrong region are rejected automatically. For DSU Toscana Scholarship, applications are accepted through online through dsu.toscana.it website.
What is the Deadline to Apply DSU Scholarship in Italy?
Students must apply for the DSU Scholarship within the September intake. However, the deadlines for applying DSU Toscana scholarship are mentioned by the official website of DSU Toscana are given below.
- From July 15, to 1:00 PM on September 5, for students enrolled or intending to enroll in undergraduate, graduate, and single-cycle degree programs.
- From September 25, to 1:00 PM on November 14, for students enrolled in doctoral and specialization programs.
When are the DSU Scholarship Results Published?
DSU scholarship results are published in multiple phases depending on the program and year of study. For bachelor’s, single-cycle master’s, and master’s early-year students, provisional results are released on September 30, followed by definitive results between November 4 and December 1. Doctoral and specialization course results are released later, with provisional rankings on December 15 and definitive results on January 15.
What are the Benefits of DSU Toscana Scholarship?
The key benefits of DSU Toscana Scholarship include:
- Full tution fee exemption
- Free meals 2 times a day
- Free accommodation
- Annual cash stipend up to €7000
- Monthly tokens for laundry and cleaning
Which Public Universities in Italy Support DSU Toscana Scholarship?
The DSU Toscana Scholarship is supported by public universities located in the Tuscany region of Italy. The public universities in Italy that support DSU Toscana Scholarhsip include the University of Florence, University of Pisa, Scuola Normale Superiore (Pisa), University of Siena, and University for Foreigners of Siena. Indian students enrolled in the following universities are eligible to apply through DSU Toscana, provided they meet income and documentation requirements.
How to Renew the DSU Scholarship in Italy?
Renewing the DSU Scholarship in Italy requires meeting the academic and administrative requirements. Indian students who received DSU funding in the previous year must meet the minimum academic credit requirement, usually 24–30 ECTS credits, to remain eligible for renewal. Renewal depends on continued enrollment at a participating public university and compliance with regional DSU regulations.
The renewal process involves:
Checking eligibility through the regional DSU portal (e.g., DSU Toscana) and confirming that all academic and income criteria are still met.
Gathering updated documents, including proof of completed credits, current enrollment, updated income statements if required, and any other regional documentation.
Submitting the renewal application online before the specified deadline, typically aligned with the new academic year.
Awaiting the provisional and final results, which are announced according to the DSU schedule (e.g., late September for provisional, November–December for final rankings).
Who is Eligible to Apply for DSU Scholarship in Italy?
The DSU Scholarship in Italy is available to international students enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, single-cycle master’s, or PhD programs at participating public universities. Eligibility is based on low family income, verified through ISEE or equivalent documentation, and requires submission of official certificates such as family composition, property ownership, passport, and admission proof. Students must reside in Italy during studies and, for renewal, meet minimum academic credit requirements.
Is IELTS Required for DSU Scholarship in Italy?
No, IELTS is not required for applying DSU Scholarship as it is a need-based scholarship meant for students with weak financial background.
Can I Apply for DSU Scholarship for February Intake?
No, DSU scholarships in Italy are generally aligned with the main September intake and are not available for the February intake. Since DSU funding is linked to full-year enrollment at a public university, Indian students starting in February typically cannot apply, as the scholarship is managed annually by regional authorities with deadlines set for the autumn intake.
Is DSU Scholarship Guaranteed?
No, the DSU Scholarship is not guaranteed. It is a need-based, merit-cum-means scholarship, and approval depends on meeting financial eligibility, academic performance, regional funding availability, and correct, timely submission of documents.
Can I Loose DSU Scholarship After Getting It?
Yes, it is possible to lose the DSU Scholarship after receiving it if certain conditions are not met. Students may forfeit the scholarship if they fail to meet academic requirements, such as not completing the minimum credit load (24–30 ECTS) for renewal, withdraw from their enrolled program, provide false or incomplete documentation, or violate residency or university enrollment rules.
Can I Apply for DSU Toscana Scholarship from India?
Yes, it is possible to apply for DSU Toscana Scholarship from India even if you are waiting for your student visa. Pathway to Overseas offers scholarship assistance to Indian students in preparing the required documents and avoid common mistakes to win 100% scholarships in Italy.