Scholarships in Portugal — Financial Aid for Students

Financial Aid Overview

Portugal’s student financial aid system is primarily managed by the DGES (Direcção-Geral do Ensino Superior) for higher education and by schools themselves for primary and secondary levels. The main types of student funding include:

• Bolsas de estudo (student grants) — Income-based government grants for higher education students
• Bolsas de mérito (merit scholarships) — For outstanding academic performance
• Erasmus+ grants — For study or internship periods abroad within Europe
• FCT research grants — For master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers
• Municipal and private foundation grants — Offered by local authorities and organisations
• SASE (Serviços de Ação Social Escolar) — Social support for primary and secondary school students

Most grants can be combined — for example, a student receiving a DGES bolsa may also apply for Erasmus+ funding. However, rules about combining grants vary, so check with your university’s financial aid office.

DGES Bolsas de Estudo (Government Grants)

The DGES bolsa de estudo is the main form of government financial aid for higher education students in Portugal. It is an income-based grant designed to help students from lower-income households afford tuition and living costs.

Eligibility

• Enrolled in a public higher education institution in Portugal (university or polytechnic)
• Household income per capita below the threshold set annually by DGES
• Meeting minimum academic progress requirements (approved credits per year)
• Portuguese nationals, EU/EEA nationals, and non-EU nationals with legal residence in Portugal can apply
• Not already holding a qualification at the same level (e.g., you cannot receive a bolsa for a second licenciatura if you already completed one)

What the Grant Covers

A DGES bolsa may include:

• Tuition fee coverage — Partial or full coverage of the annual tuition fee (propina)
• Monthly living allowance — A monthly payment to help cover living expenses
• Accommodation supplement — An additional amount for students who study away from their family home (deslocados)
• Transport supplement — Help with commuting costs in some cases

Grant amounts vary based on the student’s financial situation and are reviewed annually. Check the DGES website for the current amounts and income thresholds.

How to Apply for a DGES Grant

1. Register on the DGES portal — Create an account on the DGES online platform for scholarship applications (Sistema de Atribuição de Bolsas de Estudo).
2. Complete the application form — Provide information about your household composition, income, and academic enrolment.
3. Submit supporting documents — These typically include your IRS tax declaration, proof of income for all household members, proof of enrolment, and identification documents.
4. Authorise access to tax data — The application system may request authorisation to verify income information directly with the tax authority.
5. Wait for the decision — DGES processes applications and notifies students of the result. If approved, payments are usually backdated to the start of the academic year.
6. Appeal if needed — If your application is rejected and you believe the decision is incorrect, you have the right to appeal within the timeframe specified in the notification.

Social Action Grants

Beyond the standard bolsa de estudo, Portuguese universities provide additional social support through their serviços de ação social (social action services). These may include:

• Subsidised university accommodation — Rooms in student residences (residências universitárias) at reduced rates for grant holders
• Subsidised meals — Access to university canteens (cantinas) at reduced prices. Grant holders typically pay a lower price than other students.
• Emergency financial support — One-time or short-term financial assistance for students in unexpected financial difficulty
• Psychological and health support — Free counselling and health services provided by the university

Contact your university’s social action services directly for information on available support and how to access it.

Merit Scholarships

Portuguese universities award bolsas de mérito (merit scholarships) to students with outstanding academic performance. These are separate from income-based grants and are awarded based on grades.

Key points about merit scholarships:

• Awarded to students who achieve the highest grades in their programme
• Can be combined with a DGES bolsa de estudo
• The award amount and number of recipients vary by institution
• You typically do not need to apply separately — universities automatically identify eligible students based on academic results

Check with your university for the specific criteria and whether any application is required.

Erasmus+ Grants

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme for education, training, and youth. It funds study periods and internships abroad for students enrolled in participating institutions.

Types of Erasmus+ Mobility

• Study mobility — Spend 3 to 12 months studying at a partner university in another European country
• Traineeship mobility — Complete an internship abroad for 2 to 12 months

How to Apply

1. Check your university’s international relations office for partner institutions and available places
2. Apply through your university (not directly to the host institution)
3. Selection is typically based on academic performance and language skills
4. If selected, you receive a monthly Erasmus+ grant to help cover the additional costs of living abroad

The Erasmus+ grant amount varies by destination country and is set by the European Commission. Students receiving a DGES bolsa may be eligible for additional top-up Erasmus+ funding.

FCT Research Grants

The Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) is Portugal’s main public funding agency for science and research. FCT offers grants for:

• Bolsas de Doutoramento — Doctoral scholarships for students pursuing a PhD in Portugal or abroad
• Bolsas de Pós-Doutoramento — Postdoctoral research fellowships
• Bolsas de Investigação — Research grants associated with specific projects at universities and research centres

FCT grants are competitive and awarded based on the quality of the research proposal, the candidate’s academic track record, and the host institution. Calls for applications are published on the FCT website throughout the year.

Scholarships for International Students

International students in Portugal have several funding options beyond the standard DGES grant:

• University-specific scholarships — Many Portuguese universities offer fee reductions or scholarships specifically for international students. Check the admissions page of each institution.
• Bilateral agreements — Portugal has cultural and educational agreements with many countries that include scholarship provisions. Check with the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country.
• Camões — Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua — Offers scholarships for students from Portuguese-speaking countries and other partner nations.
• Aga Khan Foundation — Provides scholarships for students from developing countries studying in Portugal and other locations.
• Gulbenkian Foundation — The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation offers grants for research and study in various fields.
• Home country scholarships — Many countries offer scholarships for citizens studying abroad. Check with your national education ministry or scholarship agency.

Municipal & Private Foundation Grants

In addition to national-level funding, students in Portugal can look for support from:

Municipal Scholarships

Many Portuguese municipalities (câmaras municipais) offer their own scholarship programmes for residents. These vary significantly in amount, eligibility, and availability. Contact your local câmara municipal or check their website for current programmes.

Private Foundations

Several private foundations in Portugal support students through grants and scholarships. Examples include:

• Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian
• Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento (FLAD)
• Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (beyond research grants)
• Various sector-specific foundations (e.g., for engineering, health, arts)

Your university’s financial aid office is often the best starting point for finding these opportunities, as they maintain lists of available external funding.

School Social Support (SASE)

For families with children in primary and secondary school (ensino básico and ensino secundário), Portugal provides social support through SASE (Serviços de Ação Social Escolar). This is separate from higher education grants.

SASE support may include:

• Free or reduced-price school meals
• Free textbooks and school materials — Portugal has been progressively expanding free textbook programmes
• Transport subsidies — For students who live far from school
• School insurance

Eligibility is income-based and determined by the family’s tax bracket (escalão). Parents apply through their child’s school at the beginning of the school year, providing proof of household income.

Application Timeline & Deadlines

Keeping track of deadlines is critical — late applications are generally not accepted. Here is a general timeline:

• DGES bolsas de estudo — Application period typically opens in September/October. Exact dates are published on the DGES portal each year.
• FCT doctoral and postdoctoral grants — Calls are published on the FCT website with specific deadlines, often in the first half of the year. Multiple calls may be issued annually.
• Erasmus+ — Application deadlines are set by your home university, usually several months before the planned mobility period. Check your university’s international office for dates.
• Municipal scholarships — Vary by municipality. Check with your local câmara in spring/summer for the next academic year.
• SASE (school support) — Apply through your child’s school during the enrolment period, typically in June/July for the following school year.

Common Questions

Who is eligible for a DGES student grant (bolsa de estudo) in Portugal?

DGES student grants are available to students enrolled in Portuguese public higher education institutions who meet income and academic requirements. Eligibility is primarily income-based — the household income per capita must be below a threshold set annually. Students must also meet academic progress criteria. Both Portuguese nationals and foreign residents with legal status in Portugal can apply.

When should I apply for a scholarship in Portugal?

For DGES bolsas de estudo, applications typically open at the start of each academic year (September/October). Deadlines are published on the DGES portal — apply as early as possible. For FCT research grants, calls are published throughout the year with specific deadlines. Erasmus+ applications follow deadlines set by your home university, usually several months before the exchange period.

Can international students get scholarships in Portugal?

Yes, but options vary. DGES social grants are available to foreign residents with legal status in Portugal. Some universities offer merit-based scholarships or fee reductions for international students. Erasmus+ is available to students from partner universities. Several private foundations and bilateral agreements also fund international students — check with your university’s international office.

What does a DGES grant cover?

A DGES bolsa de estudo can cover tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, accommodation support (for displaced students), and transport costs. The exact amounts depend on the student’s financial situation and whether they study away from home. Grant amounts are reviewed and set annually by DGES.

What is SASE and how does it help school students?

SASE (Serviços de Ação Social Escolar) provides social support to students in basic and secondary education (primary and secondary school). Support can include free or reduced-price school meals, free textbooks and school materials, and help with transport costs. Eligibility is income-based. Parents apply through their child’s school at the start of the school year.