Each year, students face numerous expenses such as study material, tuition, accommodation or transportation, which make it difficult to make ends meet. To defray these expenses, in this article we tell you the main scholarships that you can apply for.
One of the main reasons why many students do not get a scholarship is simply because they are unaware of its existence and do not apply for it. Although the Ministry of Education and the autonomous communities are the main organizations that offer study aid, more and more private entities are joining this initiative by offering different types of scholarships and granting credits with advantages to finance studies.
All scholarships, in addition to benefiting your pocket, allow you to live incredible experiences that will make your time as a student unforgettable. Next, we will tell you the main aids, which you can surely enjoy too.
For university studies
Whether you are already in university or are entering this year, the Ministry of Education announces scholarships to be able to pursue your university studies. The most popular is the General and Mobility Scholarship aimed at all university students
Requirements. Due to the number of interested students, the State cannot grant scholarships to all, so it is necessary to meet certain requirements to qualify for these scholarships: general (such as possessing Spanish nationality; from a Member State of the European Union; or from other non-EU countries in the event that the applicant or their parents work in Spain), academics (These vary depending on the studies to be taken.
For example, for a student who begins to study a bachelor’s degree, he must enroll in a minimum of 60 credits and in the case of a second-year student of these degrees, there must be exceeded 60% of the credits of the previous course if it is about technical education or 80% of the credits in the rest of the courses), and economic (depending on the level of family income, it is determined whether the student is eligible for the scholarship , such as the amount and type of aid or aid that the student can access).
These scholarships usually range between € 1,592 and € 5,828, although for students from the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and the Balearic Islands they can be increased to € 6,400.
Annually, different types of income thresholds or limits are established that must not be exceeded to be eligible for the scholarship and the amount varies according to the threshold band in which the family income is included and the needs that the studies cause. For example, the amount of the scholarship will be higher for students who study outside their community or have lower incomes.
Paula Cossío is one of the many university students who enjoy the General and Mobility Scholarship that the Ministry of Education announces each year. Since he left Santander and came to study in Madrid, he has received a grant of about € 5,700. “The scholarship money comes to pay for the apartment and some expenses such as food, but I have difficulties making ends meet and covering all the study material I need during the course,” he explains.
The resolution of whether or not you are awarded the scholarship usually comes out in December, although it is very common that it is delayed and shortly after you receive the money, several university students tell us.
In the case that the family has the highest income level, the student can only obtain the subsidy for tuition.
Very important : scholarships for university students can be enjoyed by both public and private university students, as long as they are going to pursue an official degree. But in the event that you study at a private university and obtain a scholarship for tuition, the amount of the scholarship will only cover the cost of tuition for your studies at a public university.
For vocational training studies
Students who opt for Vocational Training (FP) instead of university studies may also opt for Government scholarships and grants if they meet a series of general, financial and academic requirements. Like the general scholarship for university students, the deadlines for submitting the application open in June and end in October. Scholarships for Vocational Training studies, to study Initial Professional Qualification Programs or aid for students with a specific need for educational support are some of those offered by the Ministry of Education.
In addition, your autonomous community can also offer you interesting scholarships and grants such as the Finnova program of the Community of Madrid for VET and university students for internships and research, or the 6,000 Scholarship in Andalusia to combat school dropout in Baccalaureate and Vocational Training.
But in addition to these grants, currently Higher Level Vocational Training students have the opportunity to carry out their practical training in a European company or organization participating in the Erasmus program and receive € 360 per month to pay for their stay abroad, which will range from 2 weeks and 12 months. The application process for the Erasmus scholarship must be carried out at your educational center, so get in touch with them so they can inform you about this aid.
And if you already have a Higher Degree FP degree and are under 30 years old, you may be interested in the Pasarelas Scholarships of the Fundación Universidad Empresa together with the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid, which combine paid internships (€ 700 per month for 1 year) with complementary training at the university level.
To learn languages
It is becoming increasingly important to master a second language and what better way than to go abroad to improve them. You think you can’t afford it? Apply for one of the scholarships that the Ministry of Education announces to promote language learning ! Known as the MEC Language Scholarships, they have a budget of more than 50 million euros. The last call will allow more than 29,000 students, aged between 16 and 30 years, to spend a stay in a foreign country to learn and have an unforgettable experience. Remember that the application deadlines usually fall in the months of February and March .
And if what you prefer is to study English in a Spanish city , nothing better than requesting a language immersion course at the Menéndez Pelayo University. Up to 18,000 higher education scholarship students will be able to take an intensive one-week course in one of the centers that this University has throughout the Spanish geography.
After being selected, the final award of the place will be made after passing a level test and paying the amount of € 100. Guillermo Gradaílle, student of the language immersion course at the A Coruña headquarters, affirms that “it was an incredible experience because the course is of high quality and intensive. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. we were studying English, especially ■■■■ English classes that were complemented with assignments. Even so, we also had time to have fun and get to know the city ”.
The application procedures for any of these language scholarships are similar. On the same page of the Ministry of Education you sign up by entering your ID and once you confirm that you meet the academic, economic and general requirements, you start the procedures online. You will have to print the scholarship application in pdf format, fill it in and send it by certified mail to the General Sub directorate for Scholarships and Educational Promotion (Calle Torrelaguna, 58-28027 Madrid), during the established deadlines.
To move around and get to know other universities
Seneca scholarships. If you are already a university student, you have the possibility of studying an entire course at another Spanish university, with the credits taken immediately being recognized in your academic record. The Scholarship are intended to promote the exchange of students between universities of our country.
Almost any university student can apply for this scholarship, as long as they meet certain requirements such as having a certain average grade (1.20 for technical degrees and 1.50 for the rest of university studies), a series of approved credits and that the subjects in Those that you enroll in the new university are mandatory in your career, in addition to not having been suspended in your school of origin.
This scholarship offers the possibility of changing the Community and meeting new colleagues, as well as expanding your CV for the future job market. If you think that changing cities is going to generate a lot of expenses, the Seneca Grant provides you with a monthly aid of 500 euros, in addition to a one-time travel aid (approximately 120 euros) to finance your stay. Find out about the application deadlines, forms and other requirements of the
Erasmus scholarships. It is an exchange program for students and teachers between countries of the European Union and other associated countries that allows you to spend a period of study at a university in another country participating in this educational cooperation program.
If you want to enjoy this scholarship, you have to apply for it during the previous year at your own study center (at the Department of International Relations or at the Erasmus Office). Having passed the first course and having a medium level of the language of the university where you will study will be some of the most frequent requirements that they request. The financial award is around € 150 per month paid in different terms depending on the stay, an amount that does not cover all the expenses of the stay abroad, but that does help to have the opportunity to improve a second language expand your academic training.
For the best students
Excellence scholarships are awarded to college-bound students who earn Global Honors or the Extraordinary High School Award. Through this scholarship you will be able to have free tuition during your first university course in most universities. Find out at the university that interests you about the opportunities they offer you as an outstanding student.
The Excellence Scholarship of the Community of Madrid is one of the most interesting to reward students with a brilliant academic record both to start the career and if you are still studying it. This scholarship applies to both official teachings at a university in the Community of Madrid and attached centers. The requirements for this scholarship are to pass everything in June. If you are going to start your university studies, you will have to have a grade in the university entrance exams (PAU) of a minimum of 8.70 points; but if you enter from a higher degree training cycle you will need 9.31 points.
The only obligation is to collaborate at least 50 hours during the course in a research project or task to support a teacher. Without a doubt, being a good student has a prize and in this case it is € 4,500.
Other scholarships you can get
Autonomous. In addition to the scholarships convened at the national level, each autonomous community announces each year specific grants intended basically for its residents. Visit the website of the Ministry of Education in your community to get up to date and see if you can benefit from any of their help.
From your university. Almost all universities have their own scholarships and study aids for their students. Ask at your university and you may find the scholarship you are looking for. Scholarships for academic excellence, for financial difficulties or scholarships for collaboration with a department or professor at your faculty, are some of the many grants that may interest you.
Social Work of Savings Banks and Banks. There are many banks that support education with various scholarship and study aid programs. Do not hesitate to go to these financial institutions to find out about all these opportunities.