Complete guide to scholarships and grants for studying in Spain

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If you're thinking about studying in Spain or returning to your studies and want to know what scholarships and financial aid are available so you don't go broke , you've come to the right place. Tuition fees, room rental, transportation, books… it all adds up, and each year it takes a toll on your budget. Luckily, there's a whole ecosystem of public and private scholarships that can make studying here much more affordable, whether you're from Spain, Latin America, or other countries.

Throughout this guide, you'll find all the key information about general Ministry scholarships, regional grants, university-specific scholarships, and major funding opportunities from banks and foundations . You'll also learn about mobility programs like Erasmus and Séneca, as well as specific support for students with special educational needs. The goal is for you to finish reading with a clear understanding of the types of aid available, their approximate amounts, and where to begin your search.

General scholarships from the Ministry to study in Spain

The first major category of aid consists of general scholarships from the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport , which are awarded regardless of the autonomous community where you study. These scholarships cover both non-university and university studies and are processed entirely through the Ministry's online portal.

For the general application period for a typical course, the deadline is usually set between spring and the end of May. For example, in one of the most recent calls for applications for a general scholarship for post-compulsory studies, the application form opened at 8:00 a.m. on March 24 and closed at 15:00 p.m. on May 30. It is very important to understand that the application period opens early, even before you know exactly what you are going to study or which institution you are going to enroll in: you apply for the scholarship first, and then you update your academic information later.

In addition, there is a specific deadline for educational support grants for students with special needs . In a recent application period, this ran from April 30th to September 11th, inclusive. These are generous dates, but it's best not to wait until the last day because the application is submitted online only, and any last-minute technical issues could disqualify you.

What types of studies do general scholarships cover?

The Ministry distinguishes between two main categories: general university scholarships and general non-university scholarships . In addition, there is a separate line of educational support aid for specific needs.

The general scholarship for university or similar studies includes:

• Official Bachelor's and Master's Degrees, including supplementary credits or training supplements necessary to access or obtain the degree.
• Higher artistic educationwhich are considered for all purposes as university studies when applying for a scholarship.
• University access courses for people over 25 years old taught by public universities.

Doctoral studies, university-specific degrees, and certain specialization programs are excluded from this general call for applications . For these, there are usually other specific calls for applications, often managed by the universities themselves or by other organizations.

The general scholarship for non-university studies includes, among others:

• Undergraduate Degrees.
• Intermediate and advanced vocational training, as well as Basic Level cycles.
• Professional artistic training and sports training.
• Higher religious studies.
• Official language schools, including the distance learning option.
• Access courses and preparation courses for vocational training entrance exams Intermediate and Higher Level, taught in public and subsidized centers.

In parallel, the Ministry is offering grants for students with specific educational support needs . These grants are not compatible with all levels of study (for example, some university students are excluded), but they are aimed at cases such as:

• Disability with a degree equal to or greater than 25% or serious behavioral disorder.
• Severe communication and language disorders.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• High intellectual capacities, for which aid to specific programs is contemplated.

Fixed amounts and variable amounts of the general scholarship

The Ministry's general scholarship is not a single amount, but rather the sum of several fixed components and a variable part . If you meet the general, economic, and academic requirements, you can accumulate several of these components:

On one hand, there are the most common fixed amounts :

• Fixed amount linked to family income: 1.700 euros for applicants with lower incomes.
• Fixed amount of residence2.700 euros for those who must change their residence during the course. This amount can never exceed the actual cost of accommodation.
• Fixed amount for academic excellence: between 50 and 125 euros, depending on the average grade of the file.
• Tuition Scholarship (for university): covers the public price of the credits you are enrolling in for the first time.
• Basic scholarship (for non-university students): 300 euros in general and 350 euros in the case of Basic Level training cycles.

In addition, there is a variable amount with a minimum of 60 euros , which is calculated after the fixed amounts have been allocated and depends on both family income and the student's academic performance. The remaining budget after the fixed amounts have been awarded is distributed among the beneficiaries according to these two factors.

In recent years , specific improvements have been introduced for students with disabilities . For example, fixed amounts (excluding tuition fees) have been increased by 25% for those who can demonstrate a disability of 25% or more but less than 65%. For students with a disability of 65% or more, the increase can reach 50%, thus strengthening support for this group.

Family income thresholds and their effects on scholarships

The awarding and amount of the general scholarship are closely linked to the annual income of the family unit and the number of members it comprises . To this end, three income thresholds are published each year by Royal Decree, and depending on whether you exceed them or not, you will be entitled to different amounts.

As a guide, for one of the latest calls for applications, the income thresholds were approximately as follows (they vary depending on the number of family members):

• Threshold 1From €9.314 for single-member families to approximately €38.189 for eight-member families (increasing by €3.725 for each additional member). Those below this income level may be eligible for fixed income support, residence allowance, excellence allowance, variable allowance, and tuition fees.
• Threshold 2From €13.898 (single-member families) to around €52.850 (8 members), adding approximately €3.340 for each additional member. Those below this threshold but above the 1-member level typically receive the accommodation allowance, the basic grant (if applicable), the excellence grant, the variable grant, and tuition fees.
• Threshold 3From €15.567 (one member) to approximately €59.199 (eight members), with increases of €3.740 for each additional member. Those below this threshold but above two members are usually entitled to the basic grant (in studies where it exists), the excellence grant, and the tuition fee grant, in addition to a reduced variable component.

It's important to note that financial aid is subject to specific rules for certain types of studies . In non-university education, for example, the amounts vary depending on whether the courses are online, part-time, language courses, or vocational training access courses. A similar situation exists in university studies with preparatory courses for students over 25, supplementary training, or when only the final degree or master's project is being completed. All these details are outlined in the Royal Decree for each course.

Overall budget and main recent developments

The Ministry's scholarship and student aid system operates on an annual budget of approximately €2.500 billion , an increase of over €1.000 billion since 2018, benefiting more than one million students. This investment allows for adjustments each year to improve the reach and fairness of the aid.

Among the most relevant developments in recent years regarding general scholarships are:

• Increase in the residence grant For those who have to move to a different city to study, the amount will increase from 2.500 to 2.700 euros. This improvement will particularly impact young people from rural areas.
• Equivalence of higher artistic education to university educationguaranteeing the same access to aid as undergraduate or master's students.
• Strengthening support for university and higher artistic education students with disabilities, with the aforementioned increases of 25% and 50% in the fixed amounts according to the degree of disability.
• Exclusion of certain state subsidies as capital gainsFor example, aid granted after damage caused by specific weather phenomena, so that it does not harm access to the scholarship.
• Relaxation of academic requirements for adults who are victims of sexual violenceequating their conditions to those of minors in the same situation and victims of gender violence.

How to apply for and check the status of a scholarship

The application process for the Ministry's general scholarship is carried out solely and exclusively through the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport's online portal . You will need a user account (usually linked to your NIF/NIE number) and must follow the steps on the online form.

Once the application has been submitted, the student can check its status in the "My Applications" section of the online portal . They can also contact the scholarship office at their educational authority or university, providing their NIF/NIE (Spanish tax identification number/foreign resident identification number), for more detailed information. In addition, the Ministry usually publishes summaries of the processing stage at each university or autonomous community.

University scholarships beyond the Ministry: Autonomous Communities, universities and banks

In addition to state aid, there's a whole world of parallel scholarships that complement the general MEC scholarship . Not only are they not mutually exclusive, but in many cases they can be combined: if you meet the requirements, you could receive a Ministry scholarship, a regional scholarship, and another from your university or a bank, for example.

The two criteria that almost always determine priority in these grants are the family's economic situation and academic performance . In other words, the aim is to support both those with greater financial difficulties and those with outstanding academic records, often with different programs tailored to each case.

University scholarships from the Ministry (MEC) and basic academic requirements

Within this general framework, the well-known "MEC Scholarships" are the most popular among university students , both in terms of volume and scope. Their structure combines tuition, accommodation, income, academic merit, and a variable amount, as previously mentioned, and the academic requirements vary depending on whether it is the first year of a degree, subsequent years, or Master's studies.

For a first-year undergraduate degree , a minimum entry grade (cut-off score) of 5 is usually required to qualify for the tuition component, and a higher grade, around 6,5, is needed to access the other scholarship components (income, accommodation, academic excellence, and variable portion). In higher years, credits earned in the previous year and the grade point average are taken into account , with different criteria for each field of study.

In the case of official Master's degrees , the requirements also combine percentage of credits passed and average grade, although it is always advisable to check the call for the specific course because the requirements may vary slightly.

University scholarships from the Autonomous Communities

The autonomous communities also launch their own calls for applications to complement or reinforce state aid. These regional grants fluctuate considerably depending on the budget and the government in power , and in some years they may not even be offered, so it is essential to regularly check the education website of the community where you study.

A classic example is the Community of Madrid , which has offered scholarships for academic excellence, aid for students with disabilities, and programs aimed at students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. The Madrid excellence scholarship aims to reward outstanding academic records, with a grant of around €2.100. In some academic years, first-time university students are required to have a very high entrance score (for example, around 12,500 points on the old scale), while current students are required to have a minimum grade point average, usually around 8, depending on their field of study.

Another significant example is the Andalusian Regional Government , one of the regions with the largest student population. In addition to the well-known 6000 euro scholarships for high school students , they also offer university grants. In certain academic years, they have launched a scholarship that practically covers the cost of university tuition for those who pass their courses, even reimbursing up to 99% of the price. There are also specific programs for improving language skills , with scholarships for language courses.

Other regions such as Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Valencia, Aragon, Extremadura, Murcia, Galicia, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria, Navarre, La Rioja, the Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands also offer their own programs , although the quality of information on their official websites is highly inconsistent. Some websites are very up-to-date and well-organized; others, however, are unclear and rarely updated, forcing applicants to use phone numbers or emails to find out about calls for applications.

Scholarships offered by Spanish universities

Each Spanish university designs its own range of financial aid programs, sometimes independently and sometimes in collaboration with public administrations or private companies. The main objective is to attract talent, retain top students, and support students with fewer resources.

Among the most common are academic excellence scholarships , designed to encourage students with very high grades to choose that university over others. These can include free tuition, significant discounts, or cash grants. Many universities organize Olympiads in subjects such as mathematics, biology, or literature, with winners receiving prizes ranging from cash awards to tuition discounts.

At the same time, almost all universities offer socioeconomic scholarships for students with financial difficulties, as well as aid for people at risk of social exclusion, people with disabilities, victims of terrorism, or refugees. These programs aim to ensure that no one is excluded from university solely due to a lack of resources.

Also of great interest are the collaboration or internal training grants : these are usually aimed at students in their final years of study or those who have already graduated and are in their first year of a Master's program. They typically involve support tasks in laboratories, participation in research projects, or collaboration in specific departments. In return, the student receives financial compensation and valuable professional experience for their CV.

There are also other opportunities for collaboration that are more administrative or service-oriented : working in the library, helping with first-year registrations, supporting the management of the sports service, etc. These are part-time tasks or limited to certain periods of the year, but they help you earn extra money while you study.

Universities with large student populations, such as Complutense University of Madrid, University of Seville, Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​UNED, University of Granada, Rey Juan Carlos University, University of Valencia, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Autonomous University of Madrid, University of Alicante, University of Salamanca, University of Málaga, Polytechnic University of Valencia, and University of Cádiz, have comprehensive scholarship and grant sections on their websites. If your university isn't listed, simply search for "university-specific scholarships" followed by the name of the institution, or go directly to its official website and locate the scholarship section.

Scholarships and grants from banks and foundations to study in Spain

Banks and some private foundations also play a key role. Although their number of scholarships is usually smaller and the competition fiercer , the financial amounts are, in many cases, very attractive and allow students to study or conduct research under excellent conditions, often abroad.

If you are Latin American and want to study in Spain, these scholarships can be an excellent option: many calls for applications admit international students and are designed precisely to promote mobility and equal opportunities.

Banco Santander: a huge catalog of scholarships

Banco Santander is probably the private institution with the widest variety of scholarship programs related to higher education . Its scholarship portal allows you to view both open and closed calls for applications, which is very useful for getting an idea of ​​what they typically offer each year.

Some of the most notable forms of assistance are:

• Santander Erasmus ScholarshipThis grant supplements the funding provided by the Ministry to participants in the Erasmus program. To be eligible, applicants must have previously received the official Erasmus grant. In recent calls for applications, thousands of grants have been awarded, ranging from €150 to €3.200, with the highest amounts reserved for those who already held the MEC grant.
• Santander Iberoamerica Scholarships for Undergraduate StudentsThese scholarships are designed for exchange programs at universities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, or Uruguay that participate in the program. Nearly 1.000 scholarships of approximately €3.000 each have been awarded. There is also a separate scholarship for researchers, with grants of around €5.000.
• Europe ScholarshipsThese programs are aimed at pre-university or undergraduate students with exceptional academic records. Approximately 50 selected students undertake a three-week trip to various European universities and cities, with all expenses for transportation, accommodation, meals, and educational activities covered.
• Santander Equality Scholarships: aimed at women with brilliant academic careers who have already obtained the MEC scholarship, with endowments of several thousand euros per beneficiary.

In addition to these flagship programs, Santander frequently launches specific initiatives in collaboration with particular universities : scholarships for Master's studies, grants for doctoral studies abroad, digital skills training, research projects, etc. It's advisable to check their website regularly, as application deadlines vary considerably from one program to another.

“la Caixa” Foundation: specialization and postgraduate studies

The "la Caixa" Foundation is another leading provider of high-value scholarships. Its programs are primarily aimed at students who have already completed their undergraduate studies and wish to specialize through a Master's degree, a doctorate, or research stays , often at internationally renowned institutions.

One of its best-known programs is the postgraduate scholarship program in Europe . Around 75 places are offered to students pursuing an official Master's degree, a PhD, or even research projects at European universities. The scholarships are initially awarded for at least nine months and can be extended up to a maximum of 24 months. The stipend is usually around €1.400 per month, in addition to covering tuition fees.

Typical requirements include:

• Spanish nationality or from one of the countries specified in the call for applications.
• Higher university degree (Bachelor's, Licentiate, Diploma) obtained in the last 10 years.
• Foreign language proficiency accreditation enough to continue studies at the destination university.
• In the case of an MBA, previous professional experience accreditable.

Another highly sought-after option is postgraduate scholarships in North America and Asia-Pacific , open to students from virtually all fields of study. Here too, the duration ranges from 9 to 24 months, but the funding is even more generous: approximately $2.400 per month (or its equivalent in the currency of the destination country), plus tuition fees, a travel allowance of up to €2.000, an initial settling-in allowance, funding for conferences and seminars, and a sum to cover the costs of issuing the degree certificate, visa, and medical and accident insurance.

The entry requirements are very similar to the European program, but competition is extremely high and places are limited. In return, they allow students to dedicate themselves fully to their studies or research without having to worry about finding a side job.

SEPI Foundation: practical training scholarships in companies

The SEPI Foundation focuses on something very specific: business initiation grants for students and recent graduates . These are not tuition scholarships, but rather grants linked to internships in leading companies, both public and private.

Over the years, they have managed more than 20.000 scholarships, enabling young people with no experience to train at top-tier companies such as Telefónica, Airbus, Deloitte, and many others . The general company initiation program typically launches two application periods annually, one around February and the other in September; new hires usually begin around May and November.

Typical placements last six months, renewable with mutual agreement . The foundation provides a monthly stipend, accident insurance, and social security contributions. In a context where many internships remain unpaid, these placements represent an excellent opportunity to enter the job market under more dignified conditions.

Internal mobility programs: Seneca Scholarship (SICUE)

If you're looking for a change of scenery without leaving Spain, you might be interested in the SICUE program (System of Exchange between Spanish University Centers) , popularly associated with the former Séneca Scholarship. Its purpose is to allow students to complete part of their studies at another Spanish university with full credit recognition.

After several years without offering associated financial aid, the Ministry has reinstated the Seneca Scholarship , which in its latest version included academic validation and a monthly stipend of approximately 500 euros. The new guidelines and specific funding amounts are being published gradually, depending on budget availability, so it is important to consult official sources for updated information.

International mobility programs: Erasmus and others

In Europe, the Erasmus program reigns supreme . It allows students to study for a semester or a full academic year at another university in the European Union (or associated countries), with credit transfer and, in many cases, a monthly stipend to offset the cost of living difference.

The strictly academic aspect of Erasmus guarantees that the courses you pass at your host university will be recognized on your academic record at your home university . But there is also a financial component, which varies depending on the country you go to and, sometimes, on your financial situation or whether you already have a grant from the Ministry.

Countries are grouped by cost of living level:

• Group 1 (high cost): Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway.
• Group 2 (average cost)Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal.
• Group 3 (lowest cost)Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Turkey.

In a typical example, a Spanish student going to a Group 1 country can expect to receive around €300 per month , a Group 2 student around €250, and a Group 3 student approximately €200 per month. These figures can be supplemented by other forms of support, such as the Santander Erasmus Grant or additional funding from some regional governments and universities.

Specific aid: educational support and mobility for teachers and researchers

In addition to the above, the Ministry and educational authorities offer very specific aid for particular groups or purposes . We have already mentioned some of these, but it is helpful to group them together for clarity.

On the one hand, there is aid for students with specific educational support needs , aimed at students enrolled in Spanish schools who meet the requirements and can demonstrate, for example, a disability, serious behavioral disorders, communication and language difficulties, or giftedness. There are two main categories: aid and subsidies related to disability or serious disorders, and aid for supplementary programs to support gifted students.

On the other hand, grants are available for the mobility and training of teachers, researchers, and university graduates . These include stays abroad for language learning, faculty exchange programs, research projects, and the development of teaching materials, among others. While these grants are not strictly for undergraduate students, they form part of the same framework supporting the quality of the education system.

Finally, there are grants available for educational institutions and organizations , both university and non-university, aimed at innovative projects, internationalization, improvements to educational infrastructure, or the development of specific programs. Although these grants don't directly benefit students, they often translate into better resources, exchange opportunities, or free training activities.

When you put together this whole map of scholarships and grants—the general ones from the Ministry, support for specific needs, calls for applications from regional governments, university-specific programs, scholarships from banks and foundations, and mobility schemes like Erasmus or Séneca—it becomes clear that studying in Spain can be much more affordable than it initially seems if you know your options well and pay attention to deadlines . It's time to check online portals, regional websites, and university websites, ask at scholarship offices, and apply for all the grants you qualify for. Combining several scholarships is possible and, in many cases, makes the difference between being able to study with peace of mind or having to give up.