DSU or Diritto allo Studio Universitario
DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) is a scholarship offered to students at Italian public universities based on financial status. The best part? Everyone eligible gets it, though some may receive it earlier than others. It’s a consistent benefit if you follow the application process correctly. The scholarship portal opens annually, and when it does, a new call (PDF) will be released. Make sure you’re referring to the current year’s call as it is updated each year.
DSU vs. Merit Scholarships in Italy
DSU continues to work better than most merit scholarships for international students. If you didn’t get a merit scholarship, don’t stress, DSU will still likely cover your expenses if you qualify.
This post will focus on the documentation process for an Indian student applying from India to Politecnico di Milano.
Step-by-Step Guide for DSU Application (Updated for 2025)
Step 1: Prepare Your Family Income Statement
The first document you need is a family income statement that declares the annual family income, property owned, and the number of members in the family. You can either submit three separate documents or combine everything into one. I opted for combining everything into a single A4 sheet. This not only saves money but also reduces paperwork for future steps.
Pro Tip: Keep this document simple and straightforward. It can be drafted in English, as it will be translated later.
Step 2: Get Notarized & Stamped
Once your family income statement is ready, get it notarized. Go to any high court campus and get the document signed by an authorized notary. You will also need to have it written on a hundred-rupee stamp paper (this price could slightly increase based on location). For example, in Bangalore, I went to Mayo Hall and had it notarized in about 30 minutes. I paid 300 INR for the notary’s seal and signature and 100 INR for the stamp paper.
2025 Update: Many regions now accept online notarization and digital services for easier processing. Always check for local, digital notary options to speed up this process.
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Step 3: Apostille and SDM Seal
Next, you need to send the notarized documents to Delhi for the apostille stamp and SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) seal. In 2025, most of this can be handled by online apostille services. I personally used PEC attestation services back in the day, and it took around 3 days for the soft copy to arrive and about 5 more days for the hard copy. They charged 2500 INR.
2025 Tip: Digital apostille services are gaining ground. Use trusted online portals to handle this if possible,it’s quicker and cheaper.
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Step 4: Translation to Italian
You now need to translate your notarized and apostilled document into Italian. Use a trusted translation agency, accuracy is critical here, as any mistake could lead to problems with your scholarship application. For my translation, I used the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce, and it cost me about 1200 INR. They delivered it in 3 days.
Pro Tip (2025): Many online agencies offer certified translations and may also help with digital submissions. Ensure the agency is accredited.
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Step 5: Apply for DSU Scholarship
Once all documents are ready, apply for the DSU scholarship as soon as the portal opens. The application period usually begins in August, but make sure to check the official DSU website for exact dates. After applying, you’ll receive a confirmation receipt.
Email this receipt, along with the family income certificate (the original document), the Italian translation, and a copy of your passport to the CAAF (Centro Autorizzato Assistenza Fiscale) office. The contact details and email ID will be provided in the scholarship call.
This email marks your ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente) request, which is used to determine if you qualify for the scholarship.
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Eligibility & Scholarship Amount for 2025
If you’ve followed the steps correctly and your family income meets the criteria mentioned in the call, you are likely eligible for the scholarship. The exact amount is always mentioned in the official call, so make sure to review it.
My DSU Scholarship Experience
As a DSU beneficiary, I opted for University accommodation (residence) instead of taking the full scholarship amount. For me, this was a better option because it gave me my own room, plus a bit of money for personal expenses every six months.
What’s Included as a DSU Beneficiary in 2025?
- Accommodation: Most students opt for university residence (which is subsidized) for ease of living.
- Food: A small daily allowance for food is provided, which can be used for meals or groceries.
- Travel: Depending on your location, DSU often includes transportation benefits (like a student travel card or reimbursement).
In short, food, accommodation, and travel are mostly covered through DSU.
Upfront Costs
The only downside to this scholarship process is that you need to pay a significant amount upfront before the scholarship disbursement arrives. Don’t expect to study in Italy entirely free of cost. For me, the initial expenses (for the first 2-3 months) were about 2-2.5 lakhs INR, which I covered with support from my parents and a student loan.
2025 Update: Be mindful of increased living costs, particularly in cities like Milan or Rome. Expect slightly higher upfront accommodation and living expenses than in previous years.
Wrapping Up
I hope this series of posts has been helpful to you. The application process for DSU may seem complicated, but trust me, it’s totally worth it once you’re settled in and the scholarship benefits start rolling in.
Good luck with your applications! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment. 😊
Girl With Four Names 