Studying in Italy gives you high-quality education at an affordable cost. Scholarships not only help with money but also open doors to great opportunities. One of the best scholarships for international students in Tuscany is the DSU Toscana Scholarship.
This guide is for students from Asia and Africa who want to study in Italy.
Remember, applying for a scholarship is not just about filling out a form. It requires steps, documents, and careful planning. By following a clear process, you can save time, avoid mistakes, and improve your chances of getting selected.
Phase 1 – Understanding the Basics
What is DSU Toscana?
DSU Toscana (Diritto allo Studio Universitario Toscana) is the regional scholarship
authority in Tuscany, Italy.
It provides students with:
• Monthly stipends (financial support)
• Free or discounted accommodation
• Meal cards for university canteens
• Other financial assistance
Important to Know:
DSU is a regional scholarship program. This means every region in Italy has its own DSU, and rules may vary slightly.
Which Universities are Covered?
If you apply for DSU Toscana, you can study at any university located in Tuscany.
1. University of Florence (Università degli Studi di Firenze)
2. University of Pisa (Università di Pisa)
3. University of Siena (Università degli Studi di Siena)
4. University for Foreigners of Siena (Università per Stranieri di Siena)
5. IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca (IMT Scuola Alti Studi Lucca)
6. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna di Pisa)
7. Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa (Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa)
What Does the DSU Toscana Scholarship Cover?
The DSU Toscana scholarship offers a wide range of support, including:
• Tuition Fee Waiver – full or partial
• Housing – free or low-cost rooms in university residences
• Meals – access to student canteens with meal cards or discounted food
• Annual Stipend – usually between €2,000 and €5,200, depending on family income
• Extra Benefits – discounts on study materials, transportation, and healthcare support.
Phase 2: Documents Needed for Asian & African Students
The most important (and often time-consuming) part of applying for the DSU Toscana Scholarship is collecting the required documents. Make sure you prepare them early to avoid delays.
Identity & Financial Documents You Must Provide:
• Family Income Certificate → Issued by the tax authority in your home country
(e.g., Income Tax Department in India, FBR in Pakistan)
• Bank Certificates for All Family Members → Show proof of income, savings, or
financial activity.
➝ If someone is unemployed, retired, or still studying, attach supporting proof.
• Property Certificate (or No Property Declaration) → Includes details of houses, land,
or proof that the family does not own property.
• Certificate of Family Composition → Issued by a civil authority confirming family
members
(e.g., Local Government in other countries, NADRA in Pakistan)
• Valid Passport → Must have at least 1 year of validity remaining.
Phase 3: Additional Requirements (Translations & Apostille)
After gathering your main documents, international students (especially from Asia and Africa)
must follow extra steps to make them valid in Italy.
Extra Steps You Must Complete:
• Official Translation
→ All documents must be translated into Italian.
→ Some universities also accept English translations, but Italian is always required.
• Apostille / Legalization
→ Every document must be legalized by your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or
stamped with an Apostille (depending on whether your country follows the Hague
Convention).
→ This confirms your documents are genuine and valid internationally.
• Double Set of Documents
→ Keep both versions: the original in your local language and the translated one
(Italian/English).
→ Submit the translated and legalized set for the scholarship.
• Organize Early
→ These steps take time (sometimes weeks). Start preparing as soon as possible to avoid delays in your DSU application.
Phase 4: Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps carefully to apply for the DSU Toscana Scholarship:
Secure University Admission → First, apply and get accepted into one of the
universities in Tuscany.
Prepare Documents → Collect all required documents, translate them into English + Italian, and get them legalized/apostilled.
Apply for Codice Fiscale → This Italian tax code is required for both your
scholarship and visa.
Submit Online Application to DSU Toscana → Applications usually open July–
September every year.
Apply one the https://www.dsu.toscana.it/servizi-online
Foreign students
All students must complete the online registration form, following the procedure indicated on this site. Students who won scholarships for the academic year 2024/2025 who intend to reapply for the academic year. 2025/2026, for the same level of studies, they will not have to resubmit the documentation relating to the economic requirement; in fact, it will be sufficient to complete the online application, declaring in the appropriate section that their economic condition has not changed compared to the previous year.
The documentation required by art. 8 of the notice, in original, translated and legalized,
must instead be duly attached to the application in the following cases:
foreign student who was not a scholarship winner in the academic year. 2024/2025
foreign student winner of a scholarship in the academic year 2024/2025 for a three-year degree course enrolling in 2025/2026 for a 1st year of a master's degree
foreign student winner of a scholarship in the academic year 2024/2025 who requests the semester scholarship for a three-year degree course for 2025/2026 and who intends to submit a request for conversion when enrolling in the master's degree course (art. 6 point1)
foreign student winner of a scholarship in the academic year 2024/2025 for a single-cycle master's degree course which for the academic year 2025/2026 is considered to be in the 4th conventional year of registration.
Upload / Send Documents → Follow DSU’s instructions carefully. Incomplete or missing documents = rejection.
Wait for Results → DSU releases results in phases (first a provisional list, then the final list).
Arrive in Italy & Apply for ISEE Parificato → This is the official income evaluation in Italy. Without it, your scholarship benefits cannot be fully activated.
• Tip: Create a personal checklist so you don’t miss any step.
Phase 5: Professional Advice for Asian & African Students
Start Early → Translations and legalizations take weeks in most countries. Don’t delay.
Stay Consistent → Avoid shortcuts or unofficial agents. Always follow DSU’s official website.
Think Long-Term → Even partial support (housing + meals) can save you thousands of euros per year.
Be Transparent → Never use fake or incomplete documents. DSU cross-checks everything.
Network → Join Asian & African student associations in Italy. They offer real guidance and community support.
Final Thoughts:
The DSU Toscana Scholarship 2025 can be your ticket to studying at world-class universities in Tuscany, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, and more — without the heavy financial burden.
Yes, the paperwork looks challenging at first. But if you break it into clear phases (Basics → Documents → Process → Preparation), it becomes completely manageable.
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