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The Lazio DiSCo Scholarship 2026 is one of Italy’s most generous regional financial aid programs, supporting both Italian and international students enrolled in universities across the Lazio region, including Rome.
The program guarantees equal opportunities in access to university education, in line with Article 34 of the Italian Constitution, and includes easy access to subsidized canteen services and grants for international mobility for study or internship experiences abroad.
The scholarship is need-based, meaning the amount awarded depends on the applicant’s family income, calculated through the ISEE/ISEEUP system. For international students from any country looking for a fully or partially funded pathway to study in Italy, the Lazio DiSCo Scholarship 2026 is an excellent opportunity worth exploring, with most courses requiring no IELTS or GRE.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | Italy |
| Scholarship Provider | Lazio DiSCo (Regional Agency for the Right to Education) |
| Eligible Universities | All universities with registered offices in Lazio (Sapienza, Tor Vergata, Roma Tre, LUMSA, Tuscia, Cassino, and others) |
| Degree Level | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Single-Cycle Degrees |
| Coverage | Tuition Fee Waiver, Accommodation, Meals, Living Allowance |
| Eligibility | Domestic and International Students |
| Deadline | Usually July–September (varies annually) |
| Study Location | Lazio Region, Italy |
Detailed Description
The Lazio DiSCo Scholarship 2026, managed by the regional agency DiSCo (Diritto allo Studio e alla Conoscenza) on behalf of the Lazio Region, is designed to make university education more accessible and sustainable for students who may not otherwise afford the cost of living and studying in Rome and other parts of Lazio.
Generally speaking, this scholarship opens every year in June or July, and the deadline is typically in August or September, though the application portal itself usually closes earlier, in late July.
The scholarship is open to both Italian citizens and international students from any country who are formally enrolled (or applying to enroll) at a university with a registered office in Lazio.
Eligible programs include bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, single-cycle master’s degrees, inter-university courses where students are enrolled at a Lazio-based university and have paid the regional right-to-study fee, and graduate school programs excluding those in the medical field that already provide other forms of remuneration.
However, students enrolled in online (telematica) universities listed by the Ministry of University and Research are not eligible for this benefit.
A defining feature of the Lazio DiSCo Scholarship 2026 is that it is strictly need-based. The grant amount is calculated based on the student’s family income, verified through the ISEE (for residents in Italy) or the ISEEUP (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator – Parified, for international students residing abroad). The lower the family income, the higher the scholarship award.
Scholarship/Program Benefits
The Lazio DiSCo Scholarship 2026 provides a comprehensive support package for eligible students:
- Cash Grant: Students with an income below €13,153 per year can receive up to €7,655, students with income between €13,153.13 and €17,537.50 can receive around €6,656, and students with income at or above €17,537 can receive up to €3,328.
- Early Disbursement: Winners who regularize their application and overall position by the specified date can receive the first instalment of the scholarship ahead of the standard payment schedule.
- Subsidized Canteen Access: Students enrolled in areas without DiSCo canteens may opt for monetisation of free meals, accessing canteen services at a reduced price of €5.90 per full meal, with a supplement added to their grant corresponding to the unused meal value.
- Healthcare Support: International students residing abroad, enrolled in years after the first, who haven’t yet arranged health insurance or registered with the National Health Service, can receive DiSCo’s facilitation for registration.
- International Mobility Grants: Additional grants are available for international mobility experiences for study or internships abroad.
- Discounted Housing-Related Services: Regularizing your application gives access to canteen services at discounted rates based on ISEE bracket, providing tangible support in daily university life.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Lazio DiSCo Scholarship 2026, applicants must generally meet the following conditions:
- Enrollment Requirement: Students must enroll at a university with a registered office in Lazio in bachelor’s, master’s, single-cycle master’s, or eligible doctoral/specialization programs by the specified enrollment deadline (typically February of the academic year), or risk exclusion.
- Income Threshold: The applicant’s household ISEE or ISEEUP must not exceed approximately €30,000 for the relevant reference year.
- Merit Requirements (for non-first-year students): Students enrolling in years after the first must meet merit requirements that vary based on the type and year of the course, as outlined in the official reference tables of the call. In addition, students must verbalize at least 20 university credits (CFUs) by August 10 to keep the scholarship; those reaching 20 CFUs after this date but before November 30 receive only 50 percent of the total grant amount.
- Residence Permit (Non-EU Students): Students from countries outside the EU must upload a valid residence permit, or, if not yet obtained, a copy of their passport initially, followed by the residence permit once issued, within the timelines specified by DiSCo.
- University Type: Students enrolled in online universities recognized on the Ministry’s official list are not eligible.
- Compatibility: Beneficiaries cannot receive funding from another scholarship at the same time, as DiSCo benefits are considered incompatible with other forms of student financial support.
Required Documents
Applicants typically need to provide:
- Valid passport or national ID
- University admission letter or enrollment certificate
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Family income documentation
- Household composition certificate
- Asset and property declarations
- Residence permit (if applicable)
- Bank account details
- Any additional documents requested by DiSCo
For international students, financial documents often require official translation and legalization according to Italian regulations.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Secure University Admission
Apply to an eligible university in the Lazio region of Italy.
Step 2: Gather Financial Documents
Prepare income certificates, family status documents, and other required financial records.
Step 3: Create an Online Account
Register through the official DiSCo application portal when applications open.
Step 4: Complete the Application Form
Fill in personal, academic, and financial information accurately.
Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents
Submit all required documents before the deadline.
Step 6: Submit Application
Review your application carefully and submit it before the closing date.
Step 7: Wait for Results
DiSCo publishes provisional and final rankings after evaluating applications.
Deadline
The Lazio DiSCo Scholarship deadline varies each academic year. For the 2025/2026 call, the first application phase closed on July 22, while later stages included document verification and corrections. Students should always check the official website for the latest deadlines and updates.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the official website below:
International students should also review the dedicated international students’ section on the website for document legalization procedures and reserved area access instructions before starting their application.
FAQs
1. Is the Lazio DiSCo Scholarship open to international students from any country?
Yes. Students from any country worldwide can apply, provided they secure admission to a university with a registered office in Lazio and complete the required ISEEUP documentation through Italian diplomatic authorities in their home country.
2. How much money can I receive from this scholarship?
The amount depends on income: students with annual income below €13,153 can receive up to €7,655, those between €13,153.13 and €17,537.50 can receive around €6,656, and those at or above €17,537 can receive up to €3,328.
3. Can I apply if I’m enrolled in an online university?
No, students enrolled in online universities listed by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) are not eligible for this benefit.
4. What happens if I don’t meet the credit (CFU) requirement?
If you reach 20 CFUs after August 10 but before November 30, you will receive only 50 percent of the total scholarship amount; failing to meet this could affect your eligibility to retain the benefit.
5. Can I receive this scholarship along with another one?
No. Students can only benefit from one scholarship at a time, and Lazio DiSCo beneficiaries are considered incompatible if they attempt to receive funds from other scholarships simultaneously.
6. When does the application open and close for the next cycle?
The scholarship generally opens in June or July each year, with deadlines typically falling in August or September; however, recent cycles have closed as early as late July, so applicants should check the official portal frequently as the period approaches.
Final Thoughts
The Lazio DiSCo Scholarship 2026 remains one of the most accessible and reliable funding options for students aiming to study in Rome and across the Lazio region, particularly for those from lower- and middle-income backgrounds. With its blend of cash grants, subsidized meals, healthcare facilitation, and international mobility support, it significantly reduces the financial burden of studying in Italy. International students worldwide are strongly encouraged to begin preparing their ISEEUP documentation and university admission well ahead of the application window to ensure a smooth and timely submission process.
