ERSU Cagliari Scholarship 2026/27: Get Up to €7,171 + Free Benefits

Studying in Italy can be exciting, but the cost of rent, food and university life can quickly become a problem. This is where the ERSU Cagliari Scholarship can make a real difference for students planning to study in Sardinia.

The scholarship is offered through ERSU Cagliari, the regional body that manages student support and right-to-study services in the Cagliari area. Depending on your situation, the support may include money, accommodation, meals and other university benefits.

For the 2026/27 academic year, students should pay close attention to the application deadline. The application period opened on July 15, 2026, and the main deadline is August 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

If you are an international student, a future first-year student or already studying in Cagliari, this guide will help you understand the main parts of the scholarship before you apply.

What Is the ERSU Cagliari Scholarship?

The ERSU Cagliari Scholarship is a student support programme for people who meet the required financial and academic conditions.

It is not simply a cash award.

ERSU can also provide services that reduce the everyday cost of studying. Depending on your category and ranking, these may include a place in a student residence, free meals and exemption from certain university charges.

The scholarship is connected with eligible higher-education programmes in the Cagliari area. The official ERSU information covers students at the University of Cagliari as well as students studying in other institutions and programmes listed in the annual competition.

The older official ERSU scholarship page mentions degree programmes, qualifying specialisation courses, PhD programmes and several other recognised institutions in Sardinia.

The rules can change from one academic year to another, though. That is why students should always read the latest competition notice before submitting an application.

How Much Money Can Students Get?

This is probably the first question most students have.

For the 2026/27 competition, the reported standard scholarship amounts are:

These figures are not the same for everyone.

Your final benefit depends on your personal circumstances, including your economic situation and where you live while studying.

A student who moves to Cagliari from another area may fall into the fuori sede category. Someone who lives farther away but can travel to university may be classified as pendolare. Students living locally can fall under the in sede category.

There are also rules for students with lower ISEE values. Under the 2026/27 information, students with an ISEE at or below €14,169.94 may receive a 15% increase, if they meet the other conditions.

There can also be extra support in certain situations, including some students with disabilities, women studying STEM subjects and students enrolled in two degree programmes at the same time.

So, don’t look at the headline amount and assume that is exactly what will reach your bank account. ERSU works out the benefit according to its rules and your student category.

Also Check: Best ER.GO Scholarship 2026/27: Get Up to €7,171

What Other Benefits Are Included?

The money is only one part of the package.

A successful applicant may also benefit from:

• Student accommodation
• Free or subsidised meals
• University fee-related exemptions
• A possible graduation award
• Special increases in certain situations
• Additional support available under ERSU rules

This combination is what makes the scholarship useful for students with a limited budget.

Imagine moving to Cagliari for university. Rent alone can take a large part of your monthly budget. If you also have access to ERSU accommodation and meals, the financial pressure can be much lower.

The exact benefits depend on your status and the rules of the annual competition.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is aimed at students enrolled, or planning to enrol, in eligible programmes covered by the ERSU competition.

One useful point for new students is that you do not necessarily have to wait until your university enrolment is completely finished before applying.

First-year students who intend to enrol in an eligible programme can apply according to the conditions set in the competition.

This is particularly useful for students who are still completing the admission and enrolment process.

The 2026/27 competition also includes specific arrangements for students following the semestre filtro route for Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Cagliari.

However, course eligibility should always be checked against the current call. A student should never assume that every course or institution automatically qualifies.

Financial Requirements: ISEE and ISPE

Your financial situation is a major part of the application.

For 2026/27, the reported limits are:

Maximum ISEE: €28,339.88

Maximum ISPE: €61,608.48

Both figures are important.

In simple terms, ISEE looks at the economic situation of the student and family, while ISPE relates to property and assets. You need to satisfy the applicable limits rather than looking at only one number.

For students who can use the Italian system, the required document is the ISEE used for university right-to-study benefits.

International students often have a different process.

What Is ISEE Parificato?

If you are an international student and your family income or assets are outside the standard Italian system, you may need an ISEE parificato.

This is an important document for many students coming from abroad.

ERSU’s information explains that foreign students who cannot provide the normal Italian ISEE may need to obtain the equivalent assessment through an authorised CAF.

The CAF checks the financial information and prepares the relevant documentation.

You may need information about:

• Family income
• Property owned by the family
• Bank or financial assets
• Family members
• Income earned outside Italy
• Other financial information requested under the rules

Do not leave this until the last few days.

International financial documents can take time to collect, translate or prepare. If your documents are incomplete, the application process can become much harder.

ERSU also states that the ISEE parificato service connected with its benefits can be provided free of charge through the relevant affiliated CAF arrangements.

Merit Requirements Also Matter

Having a low income does not automatically guarantee the scholarship.

Academic progress is also part of the process.

The number of credits you need depends on your year of study and your course. First-year students have a different situation from students who are already further into their degree.

For 2026/27, first-year students are required to reach the relevant academic progress milestone during the year. The reported requirement includes 20 CFU for the applicable first-year payment conditions.

This matters because receiving an initial scholarship benefit does not mean you can ignore your studies afterward.

If you do not reach the required number of credits by the relevant deadline, later payments or the final benefit may be affected.

Students already enrolled in later years have their own credit requirements. Bonus credits may also be available under the rules in certain cases.

The safest approach is simple: check the merit table in the current ERSU call for your exact course and year.

In Sede, Pendolare or Fuori Sede?

Your living situation can have a big effect on the scholarship.

In Sede

An in sede student normally lives in the local area defined by ERSU for the relevant university location.

This category generally receives the lowest of the three standard scholarship amounts.

Pendolare

A pendolare student lives outside the immediate local area but within the area recognised by ERSU for commuting students.

The scholarship amount is higher than the standard in sede amount.

Fuori Sede

This category is especially important for students moving to Cagliari from another area.

Fuori sede students can receive the highest standard scholarship amount, provided they meet ERSU’s requirements.

But there is a catch.

Simply saying that you live away from home may not be enough. ERSU has specific rules concerning distance, accommodation and rental arrangements.

If you do not receive an ERSU residence place and use private accommodation, you may have to provide the required proof of rental accommodation.

For international students whose families live outside Italy, the rules can be particularly helpful because they may qualify for fuori sede treatment under the applicable conditions.

Always check the exact wording of the current call before choosing your category.

ERSU Cagliari Student Accommodation

For a student moving to Sardinia, accommodation can be just as important as the cash award.

ERSU manages student residences and allocates places through its competition.

The official accommodation information includes residences such as:

• Via Businco
• Via Biasi
• Via Sassari
• Emilio Lussu Campus at Viale La Plaia

Other accommodation locations and arrangements may also be included in the current year’s competition.

The 2026/27 information reports hundreds of available places across the residence network.

But there is something students need to understand.

Applying for the scholarship does not mean that a room is automatically guaranteed.

Accommodation is limited. Places are assigned according to the relevant ranking and the conditions of the competition.

If you are hoping to live in an ERSU residence, make sure you select and complete the accommodation part of the application correctly.

Students who do not receive a residence place may still need to follow ERSU’s rules for proving private accommodation if they want the benefits linked to fuori sede status.

What About Free Meals?

Food is another area where ERSU support can save students a considerable amount of money.

ERSU operates university catering services at different locations around Sardinia.

The official catering information states that scholarship students can receive free meals according to their category.

For example, scholarship students living off campus can receive 275 free meals during the academic year, subject to the applicable rules.

Students living in ERSU accommodation have different arrangements.

There are also special provisions for students with disabilities who meet the conditions set by ERSU.

The catering network includes facilities around Cagliari, including services connected with the university campus in Monserrato. ERSU also provides catering arrangements in other Sardinian locations.

Students should also be aware of ERSU’s digital services. The organisation has introduced systems that allow students to use a virtual student card and QR code-based access for catering services.

That can make using the meal benefit much easier once everything is activated.

How to Apply for the Scholarship

The application is completed online.

For the 2026/27 academic year, applications opened on July 15, 2026.

The main deadline is:

August 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM

Do not wait for the final afternoon.

A slow internet connection, missing document or problem with your account can leave you with very little time to fix the issue.

Here is a simple way to approach the application.

Step 1: Check Your Course

Before doing anything else, make sure your programme and institution are covered by the competition.

Step 2: Prepare Your Financial Documents

Get your ISEE or ISEE parificato documentation ready.

International students should start this process early.

Step 3: Access the ERSU Portal

Create or access your Student Portal account using the authentication method available to you.

Italian students generally use systems such as SPID or CIE, while ERSU provides specific procedures for students who cannot use these methods.

Step 4: Complete the Scholarship Form

Enter your personal, academic and financial information carefully.

Don’t guess.

If something does not apply to you, use the correct option instead of entering information simply to complete a field.

Step 5: Choose Your Housing Status Carefully

Select the correct in sede, pendolare or fuori sede situation.

If you are asking for accommodation, complete the housing request as required.

Step 6: Review Everything

Before pressing submit, check your name, course, financial information, residence details and other important fields.

Step 7: Save Proof of Submission

After completing the application, keep the confirmation or receipt.

Take a screenshot too.

It may seem unnecessary at the time, but having proof can be useful if there is a technical or administrative issue later.

Important 2026/27 Dates

The main dates currently reported for the 2026/27 competition include:

These dates are extremely important, but students should still check the official ERSU notices for changes.

ERSU can publish corrections, additional notices and instructions after the original competition is released.

The previous 2025/26 cycle had different dates. Applications opened on July 21, 2025, and closed on September 2, 2025. So don’t assume that the same deadline will be used every year.

What Happens After Submission?

Once the application period closes, ERSU checks the applications and prepares the rankings.

First comes the provisional ranking.

This stage gives students an opportunity to check their result and, where allowed, ask for a review if there is an error or missing issue that can be corrected under the rules.

The definitive ranking follows later.

Students should keep checking their ERSU Student Portal instead of relying only on emails or social media updates.

This is particularly important after you become a beneficiary.

There may be additional steps concerning:

• Enrolment
• Bank details
• Accommodation
• Academic credits
• Documentation
• Payment information

One small detail can cause unnecessary trouble: your bank information.

ERSU requires eligible students to provide the necessary banking details, including an IBAN connected with an account held by the student or jointly held with the student, according to the applicable instructions.

If the required payment information is missing, a payment can be delayed.

Special Rules for Students With Disabilities

ERSU also has specific support measures for students with disabilities.

The official information provides more flexible academic requirements for eligible students with recognised disabilities. In certain circumstances, students may also have access to benefits for a longer period.

Accommodation can be adapted or prioritised where particular needs require it.

There are also special catering provisions.

Students who fall into this category should not simply use the standard application assumptions. Read the relevant disability provisions in the competition and provide the required certification.

This can make a real difference to the benefits available.

What Should International Students Do First?

For students coming from outside Italy, the best advice is to start early.

The scholarship application itself may look straightforward. The paperwork behind it is often the harder part.

Before the deadline, try to have your family financial documents ready.

You may need information about income, property, bank assets and family members. Depending on your country and circumstances, documents may also need translation or other formal preparation.

Then arrange your ISEE parificato if ERSU requires it.

Don’t assume that your university admission letter replaces these documents. They serve different purposes.

Your university admission confirms your place or eligibility to study.

The ERSU financial assessment determines whether you qualify for the student benefit.

Is There an Eligible Countries List?

There is no fixed country-by-country eligible countries list published in the official ERSU information used for this guide.

For that reason, it would be misleading to claim that only students from certain named countries can apply.

International eligibility depends on the student’s circumstances, including citizenship or residence status, the eligible study programme, financial documentation and the rules of the annual competition.

If you are an international applicant, check your own situation against the latest ERSU call instead of relying on a list copied from another scholarship website.

Mistakes Students Should Avoid

The application itself isn’t necessarily difficult.

The mistakes usually happen because students leave things too late.

Missing the deadline

For 2026/27, the main deadline is August 28 at 1:00 PM.

Treat this as a hard deadline.

Getting the wrong ISEE

Make sure the financial assessment is the correct one for university right-to-study benefits.

International students should check whether they need an ISEE parificato.

Waiting too long for documents

This is especially risky if your family lives outside Italy.

Foreign financial documents can take time to obtain and prepare.

Choosing the wrong residence category

Don’t select fuori sede simply because you are moving to Cagliari.

Check the actual ERSU requirements.

Forgetting about academic credits

Getting the scholarship does not mean the academic requirements disappear.

First-year students must reach the required CFU milestones.

Not checking your portal

After submitting the form, keep checking your Student Portal.

Important information can appear there during the ranking and payment process.

ERSU Cagliari Scholarship FAQ

Final Advice for Students

The ERSU Cagliari Scholarship can be a major help if you are planning to study in Sardinia.

It can reduce several costs at once. You may receive financial support, get access to accommodation, eat at ERSU facilities and benefit from university fee exemptions.

But don’t look at it as free money that you apply for once and then forget about.

Your documents matter.

Your income information matters.

Your housing status matters.

And, after the first stage, your academic progress matters too.

For international students, the biggest task may be preparing the financial documents and ISEE parificato. Start that part early. Waiting until the application deadline is close is asking for unnecessary stress.

For 2026/27, mark August 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM on your calendar. Submit well before the deadline if possible, save your confirmation and continue checking your ERSU account after applying.

One more thing is worth remembering.

The scholarship page supplied for this guide is on the old ERSU website. That site is now an archive. The information is still useful for understanding the services, but students applying for the current academic year should always check the new ERSU website and the latest competition notice before making decisions.

Official Links

ERSU Cagliari Scholarship:
https://old.ersucagliari.it/en/services/scholarship.html

ERSU Cagliari Official Website:
https://ersucagliari.it/

ERSU Student Portal:
https://portalestudenti.ersucagliari.it/

Hasib Maqbol

Haseeb Ahmad (Hasib Maqbol) is an education advocate with a Master’s degree in Computer Science and over 10 years of experience in academic institutions, including Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), SINA Institute of Networks and Aesthetics, and National College of Science and Information Technology.

After years of working closely with students and educational systems, he founded NextScholarPK to help students find authentic scholarships, fellowships, and global study opportunities with clear and reliable guidance.

His mission is to make international education accessible to every deserving student by bridging the information gap and promoting verified opportunities worldwide.