Higher education can be expensive, and for many students, the cost of tuition, housing, and daily living is the biggest barrier standing between them and a degree. Portugal addresses this through a national scholarship programme designed to support students from lower income households throughout their academic journey.
This scholarship is paid across the full academic year, distributed monthly in 10 installments, giving students steady financial support rather than a single lump sum. Below, we break down everything you need to know: who qualifies, what documents are required, how much you could receive, and when to apply. For more BS, MS, Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
What This Scholarship Covers:
The programme is aimed at students enrolled in:
- Higher Professional Technical Courses (CTESP)
- Bachelor’s degree programmes
- Integrated master’s degree programmes
- Master’s degree programmes
Students must be registered for at least 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits to be eligible. It’s worth noting that doctoral students fall under a separate scheme, managed by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), which is covered later in this article.
Who Is Eligible:
Before applying, make sure you meet all of the following requirements:
- You must meet the conditions relating to nationality or regularized residence status in Portugal.
- You must be enrolled in a CTESP, bachelor’s, integrated master’s, or master’s programme with at least 30 ECTS.
- You must not already hold a diploma or degree equal to or higher than the one for which you’re requesting the scholarship.
- From your second year onward, you must meet academic progress conditions and stay within the maximum allowed number of course registrations.
- Your household’s total annual income must be below €11,049.89.
- Your household’s movable assets (savings, shares, bonds, retirement savings plans, and similar) must total less than €115,303.20.
- Your tax and Social Security contributions must be up to date.
Higher Income Limit for Working Students
If you’re a working student, or if you earned occasional income during holiday periods, the income ceiling is raised slightly to €12,569.89, recognizing that working students often have modest additional earnings that shouldn’t automatically disqualify them.
Special Provisions for Humanitarian Situations
Some students are exempt from the standard income requirements entirely. This applies to those in:
- A humanitarian emergency situation originating from Syria
- Afghan refugee status
- A situation of temporary protection originating from Ukraine
Students in these categories may be eligible to receive the maximum scholarship amount, currently set at €5,981.73, without needing to meet the usual income thresholds.
Documents You’ll Need Before Applying
Because the scholarship assesses your entire household’s financial situation, not just your own, you’ll need to gather information for everyone living in your household. Here’s what to prepare in advance.
Information for Every Household Member
- Taxpayer Identification Number (NIF)
- Social Security Number (NISS)
- Bank account balances (both current and term deposits) as of December 31st of the year before the academic year you’re applying for, along with the value of any other movable assets such as savings certificates, shares, bonds, or retirement savings plans
If a household member doesn’t have a Portuguese NIF, that’s not a problem. You’ll simply need to indicate the country associated with their foreign NIF using a two letter country code (for example, France is FR and Spain is ES). You can look up the correct code using the Online Browsing Platform at iso.org.
You’ll also need your household’s tax return from the calendar year prior to the academic year you’re applying for, if a return was filed.
Housing Documentation
The paperwork required here depends on your household’s living situation.
If your household owns its Permanent Home (HPP):
- You’ll need the Municipal Property Tax (IMI) declaration or the property registration document for the residence used as your household’s primary and permanent home.
If your household rents, including subsidized rent or social housing:
- You’ll need the lease agreement, and if applicable, proof of subsidized rent or social housing status.
Bank Details
Finally, you’ll need proof of the IBAN for the account you want the scholarship paid into, along with proof of the account holder’s identity. If the student is a minor, this can be a parent’s account.
How to Apply
Applications for this scholarship are submitted entirely online, and you’ll be asked to upload the documents listed above during the process. Here’s the general path:
- Go to the student’s reserved area on the DGES website.
- Log in using your username and password.
- Complete and submit your application along with the required documents.
If You’re a First Time Applicant This Year
- If you indicated during your higher education application that you wanted to apply for a scholarship, use the link sent to you by email in your application receipt notification.
- If that link doesn’t work, or you never received your credentials, you can request them through the DGES credentials portal.
- If neither option works, visit the Social Action Services (SAS) or Social Action Office at your higher education institution and request your user code and password in person. Bring your Citizen Card.
If You’ve Applied Before
Use the same login credentials from previous years. If you’ve forgotten them, you can recover your username or password directly through the DGES portal.
Helpful Resources
Before you apply, it’s worth checking the official candidate guide and the frequently asked questions page, both of which walk through the process step by step. Once you’ve submitted your application, you can also check your results through the same reserved area.
If you’d like an estimate of how much you might receive, try the DGES Scholarship Simulator before submitting your application.
Applying for a Doctoral Scholarship
This particular scholarship does not cover doctoral studies. If you’re pursuing a PhD, scholarships are instead awarded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). You can find more details on the FCT Scholarships page.
Application Deadlines
Timing matters with this scholarship, and the deadline that applies to you depends on your specific circumstances.
- Standard deadline: between June 25th and September 30th
- If your registration happens after September 30th: within 20 working days following your registration
- If you’re completing a professional internship: within 20 working days following the issuance of proof that your internship has started
If You Apply Alongside Your Higher Education Application
Students who apply for the scholarship at the same time as their higher education application (up to the placement date) and who are beneficiaries of family allowance levels 1, 2, or 3 will find out whether they’ve been awarded a scholarship at the same time they learn their course placement. You’ll also see a provisional amount at that stage. Keep in mind that final payment only happens once you enroll in the course and your situation has been formally verified.
Applying Mid Year
You don’t have to apply during the standard window. It’s also possible to apply between October 1st and May 31st, during the academic year itself. In this case, your scholarship amount will be proportional, calculated based on the period between your application date and the end of the academic year or internship, rather than a full year’s amount.
Students Moving from Undergraduate to Master’s Studies
If you’re completing your undergraduate degree this year and plan to start a master’s programme next academic year, your deadlines follow the same structure as first time applicants:
- Between June 25th and September 30th
- Within 20 business days following registration, if registration happens after September 30th
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I’m not a Portuguese citizen? Yes, as long as you meet the conditions relating to nationality or regularized residence status in Portugal. This means students with a valid residence status may still qualify, even if they are not Portuguese nationals.
Does everyone in my household need a Portuguese NIF? No. If a household member only has a foreign NIF, you simply record the country associated with that number using its two letter code when completing the form.
What happens if my registration is completed late? If your registration is finalized after September 30th, you still have a chance to apply. You’ll have 20 working days from the date of registration to submit your scholarship application.
Will I lose the scholarship if I change courses or drop below 30 ECTS? The scholarship is tied to your enrollment status and academic progress. Since ongoing eligibility depends on meeting successful completion conditions and registration limits from your second year onward, it’s important to stay in touch with your institution’s Social Action Office if your enrollment situation changes.
Is the scholarship amount the same for every student? No. The amount awarded depends on your household’s income, assets, and circumstances. Students who qualify under humanitarian provisions, such as those from Syria, Afghan refugees, or those with temporary protection status from Ukraine, may receive the maximum amount of €5,981.73, while other students receive amounts calculated according to their individual financial assessment. Use the DGES Scholarship Simulator mentioned above to get a personalized estimate.
