📊 Italy Scholarship Comparison Guide

The biggest question on the minds of students who want to study in Italy is usually: "Which university is better?"

However, for a student or parent with a limited budget, the real (and more strategic) question to ask is: "In which city is it easier and more economical to get a scholarship?"

Because scholarships in Italy are not uniform. Depending on the city, region, and administrative system, the scholarship amount, the likelihood of obtaining accommodation, and the level of competition vary dramatically. A €7,000 scholarship in Milan will never have the same purchasing power as a €7,000 scholarship in Trieste.

In this guide, we compared Italy's most important scholarship systems based on "availability" and "cost of living".

🧭 Our Comparison Criteria

We based this analysis on the following four key factors:

1. Total Scholarship Benefit: The combined value of cash + accommodation + meal support.

2. Possibility of Getting a Dormitory Room: A chance to avoid accommodation costs.

3. Level of Competition: Number of student applications and acceptance rate.

4. Cost of Living in the City: The purchasing power of the scholarship in that city.

📊 Italy Scholarships Comparison Table

City / Region	Scholarship System	Advantage Level	Rivalry	Comment
Turin	EDISU Piemonte	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Middle	Most Balanced: Plenty of dormitory options, reasonable cost of living.
Trieste	ARDiS	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Low	Strategic: Low competition, inexpensive city, high purchasing power of the scholarship.
Padua	ESU Padova	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Medium-High	Disciplined: The scholarship is substantial, but the paperwork is very strict.
Venetian	ESU Venezia	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Middle	The savior: Critical for survival in an expensive city.
Milan	DSU Milano	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Very High	High Risk: The scholarship is high, but there's a lot of competition, and accommodation is difficult.
Cattolica	EDUCATT	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Middle	Private School: Focused on tuition fee reductions, not cash payments.

🥇 1. Torino (EDISU Piemonte): "Golden Ratio"

Turin is by far the safest destination for a Turkish student wishing to study in Italy.

• Why? The EDISU system is very well-established and well-organized. Competition is more manageable compared to Milan.

• The advantage: Rents in Turin are almost half that of Milan. Despite this, the scholarship amount is similar. Furthermore, EDISU has ample dormitory capacity.

• The result: You get your scholarship, you get a dorm room (or find suitable housing), and you get to enjoy student life.

🥈 2. Trieste (ARDiS): "Hidden Treasure"

If you're someone who says , "For me, it's not the name of the university that matters, but studying without having to pay anything out of pocket," then Trieste should be your destination.

• Why? It's away from the chaos and competition of big cities. Non-EU students have a much higher chance of receiving scholarships.

• The advantage: Trieste is an inexpensive city. The cash scholarship you receive here can allow you to live like a "wealthy" student.

• Result: Minimum stress, maximum economic comfort.

🥉 3. Padua and Venice (ESU): "A Power That Demands Attention"

Venice and Padua are cities with very high quality education but extremely fragile bureaucracy.

• Why? The ESU system is unforgiving of even the slightest error in documentation and revenue calculations (ISEE).

• The advantage: In a touristy and expensive city like Venice, an ESU scholarship (especially if you get a dorm room) is a lifesaver.

• Conclusion: A flawless application provides a huge advantage; however, amateur applications often end in disappointment.

⚠️ 4. Milan (DSU): "High Risk, High Return"

Everyone dreams of going to Milan... But the DSU Milan scholarship is a real "den of wolves".

• Why? The number of applications is in the tens of thousands. The chances of getting a dorm room (for the first year) are quite low.

• Risk: Even if you win the scholarship, if you don't get a dorm room, you may have to pay 700-900 Euros in rent in Milan. This would consume a large portion of the scholarship money.

• Conclusion: Go for it if your file is very strong and you're willing to face competition. Otherwise, Torino might be a more sensible option.

❌ The Most Common Mistake: The "A scholarship is a scholarship" Mentality

The biggest misconception among students and parents is: "Our income is low, we can get scholarships from everywhere."

This is wrong.

With the same income documents and the same family situation;

• In Trieste, you can get a 100% scholarship and dormitory accommodation ,

• They might not be able to get a dorm room in Milan because of their ranking.

• You might be disqualified in Padova because of document format issues.

Therefore, when choosing a university, you should consider not only academic goals but also the compatibility between the city and scholarship opportunities .

🎯 Which City is the Right Place for You?

The answer to this question doesn't depend on a single variable. Your family's income, your target major, your risk tolerance, and your need for accommodation should all be considered as a whole.

Don't risk your educational dreams with the wrong city choice or a flawed application strategy. Get professional help to find the best city and scholarship match for your personal circumstances.

👉 For personalized scholarship analysis and application consultancy: www.anilgoktas.org