If you’re planning to study in Italy and want a scholarship that covers more than just your tuition, I want to walk you through one of the most generous regional grants available to students in Tuscany. The DSU Toscana Scholarship, offered by the Agenzia Regionale Diritto allo Studio Universitario (Regional Agency for the Right to University Education), is designed to remove the financial barriers that keep talented students from pursuing higher education. This grant is available to both Italian and international students who are planning to enroll, or are already enrolled, at the University of Pisa, and it does something few scholarships manage to do: it covers accommodation, meals, and daily living costs, not just your academic fees.
I’ve put together everything you need to know about this opportunity in one place, so you can understand exactly what it offers, whether you qualify, and how to apply.
Key Details:
Host Institution: University of Pisa, Italy
Administering Body: Agenzia Regionale Diritto allo Studio Universitario (DSU Toscana), Regione Toscana
Study Level: Degree programs at the University of Pisa (Bachelor’s and Master’s level)
Eligible Applicants: Italian, EU, and Non-EU international students
Award Type: Full grant covering accommodation, meals, tuition exemption, and additional expenses
Application Mode: Online only, via the Sportello Studente portal
Application Window: The call for applications is typically published every mid-July on the official DSU Toscana website
Grant Duration: One academic year (must be reapplied for each year)
Why This Scholarship Stands Out:
Most scholarships I come across cover tuition and stop there, leaving students to figure out rent, food, and daily expenses on their own. This one is different. Here’s what the DSU grant actually includes:
- Free accommodation for the full academic year
- Free meals at University dining halls
- A contribution toward extra expenses such as sports activities, books, and study materials
- Full exemption from University tuition fees
For a student coming from abroad, especially someone managing a tight budget, this combination can make the difference between being able to study in Italy or not. It essentially removes the two biggest recurring costs of student life: housing and food, while also handling your tuition bill.
Who Can Apply:
The scholarship is open to students who are planning to enroll, or who are already enrolled, in a degree program at the University of Pisa. There’s one important condition to keep in mind: you must not already hold a qualification at the same level of education you’re applying for. In other words, if you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you can still apply for a scholarship tied to a new Bachelor’s program only if you don’t already hold an equivalent qualification, and the same logic applies at the Master’s level.
Both Italian and foreign students are eligible, and the DSU builds a single ranking list that includes everyone, so international applicants are competing on the same list as local students, not a separate, smaller quota.
Eligible Student Categories:
The application process and required documents differ slightly depending on where you’re coming from. Here’s how the categories break down:
- EU students – Required to fill in a specific declaration form, which becomes available for download at the end of the online application.
- Non-EU students from developing countries – Must certify that they do not belong to a high-income, high-status family. This certificate needs to be issued by either the Italian diplomatic representative in your home country, or the diplomatic representative body (embassy or consulate) of your home country in Italy. It also needs to be legalised by the Italian Prefettura.
- Other Non-EU students – Need to submit documents related to family status, income, real estate, and movable assets, all translated into Italian and legalized by the relevant Italian diplomatic representatives, or in line with international legalization provisions.
If you’re a foreign student with income earned abroad and you want access to any of the DSU’s services, including the Scholarship, Services Scholarship, Grant for Disabled Students, Extraordinary Contribution, or Subsidised Canteen Prices, you’ll need to apply online first, then print the receipt from your personal area and send it according to the instructions in the admission call. This submission should include a document certifying your family’s economic status along with a copy of a valid ID.
How to Apply:
The entire application process runs online, and I want to break it down step by step so it feels less overwhelming.
- Visit the Sportello Studente portal, which is the official application platform for DSU Toscana.
- Complete the online application before the deadline stated in that year’s call for applications.
- Note that you can submit your application even if you haven’t enrolled at the University of Pisa yet, so you don’t need to wait until enrollment is finalized.
- Download and complete any declaration forms relevant to your student category, such as the EU student declaration.
- Prepare and legalize any required documents, such as income certificates or family status documents, according to the instructions for your specific category.
- Submit all required documents by following the exact instructions published in that year’s official announcement.
- Keep in mind that this grant is valid for one academic year only, so if you receive it, you will need to submit a fresh application the following year if you want continued support.
Since the call is published every mid-July, I’d recommend checking the official DSU Toscana website regularly around that period so you don’t miss the opening date or the submission deadline.
How the Ranking Works:
For students applying for the first time, the ranking list is based only on annual family income. From your second year onward, academic merit also becomes part of the equation, meaning your performance during your first year of study will start to affect your position on the list. This is worth knowing early, because if you plan to reapply next year, staying on top of your coursework isn’t just good practice, it directly protects your eligibility for continued funding.
When Results Are Announced:
The DSU publishes a single ranking list that includes both foreign and Italian applicants, so there’s no separate or delayed process for international students. Provisional ranking lists are usually confirmed by the end of September, and the final, approved rankings typically come out by the end of November. Results are published on the official DSU Toscana website and become visible in each applicant’s personal area on the portal. One thing to note: the DSU does not send personal written communication to applicants about their results, so it’s on you to check the portal and website yourself rather than wait for an email or letter.
Frequently Asked Questions?:
Can I apply for this scholarship before I’m officially enrolled at the University of Pisa?
Yes. The application can be submitted even if you haven’t enrolled yet, so you don’t need to complete enrollment first to apply.
Is this scholarship only for Italian or EU students?
No. Non-EU international students are fully eligible, though the required documents differ depending on whether you’re from a developing country or another Non-EU country.
Do I need to reapply every year if I receive the grant?
Yes. The grant is only valid for one academic year, so you’ll need to submit a new application each year you want to continue receiving support.
What does the grant actually cover?
It covers free accommodation, free meals at university dining halls, a contribution toward extra expenses like books and sports activities, and a full exemption from tuition fees.
How is the ranking decided?
For first-time applicants, only annual family income is considered. From the second year onward, academic merit is factored in alongside income.
When does the application call open each year?
The call is typically published in mid-July on the official DSU Toscana website, so that’s the best time to start checking for updates.
Will I be notified personally if I receive the scholarship?
No. The DSU does not send personal written communication regarding results. You’ll need to check the official website and your personal area on the portal yourself.
Final Thoughts:
What makes the DSU Toscana Scholarship worth paying attention to is how comprehensive it is. It’s not just a tuition waiver with a nice title, it genuinely covers the cost of living that often becomes the real financial burden for international students. If you’re serious about studying at the University of Pisa and want to reduce your financial stress while focusing on your studies, this is a scholarship program worth building your application timeline around. Keep an eye on the DSU Toscana website as mid-July approaches each year, gather your documents early, especially anything that needs legalization, and don’t wait until the last moment to start the online process.
