Higher education: Child benefit gives automatic access to scholarships

This academic year 2022/2023 the public higher education students who have family allowance up to the 3rd step will see the scholarship automatically awarded. To do so, all you need to do is apply, have no debts to Social Security or Finance and be enrolled in at least 30 credits (ECTS). The measure is contained in the order of 4 August, which also changes the maximum ceilings for the allocation of supportas well as strengthening support for housing, particularly in areas with greater urban pressure.

Automatic grant up to the 3rd level of the family allowance

This is the main novelty of the decree and, in practice, covers income up to 10,548.16 euros per year. This value refers to the reference yield, which is calculated by adding the household’s income and dividing by the number of children (plus one). For example, a couple with two children who have a total monthly income of 2,000 euros, has a reference income of 9,333.33 euros (2,000 euros/3×14), falls into the 3rd bracket of the family allowance and is entitled to a grant in the amount of 871.25 euros (minimum amount awarded), which corresponds to 125% of the maximum tuition fee legally fixed for the 1st cycle of public higher education. If this same couple only had a child would no longer be eligible to receive the scholarship.For students who apply for the 2nd tier of family allowance, the value of the grant is 1,108 euros, corresponding to 2.5 times the social support index (IAS). The value of the scholarship for the 1st level of the family allowance is 2,437.6 euros, corresponding to 5.5 times the index of social support. Read also: Reinforcement and automatic allocation of scholarships in higher education

Calculation of income includes movable and real estate assets

THE income calculation formula for the granting of the grant, it is based on the per capita income, which results from the sum of the household’s income, divided by the number of elements that make up that same household. this school year the limit increased, from 11 x IAs to 19 x IAS, plus the maximum fee set for the 1st cycle of studies in public higher education (which is set at 697 euros). Accounts made, the ceiling is 9,117.8 euros per capita.To be eligible, the movable assets of the household, on December 31 of the year prior to the beginning of the school year, cannot exceed 240 times the value of the social support index (106,368 euros). Real estate assets cannot exceed 265,920 euros. The DGES website provides a simulator that you can consult here. Scholarship applications run until September 30 or within 20 working days following registrationwhen it takes place after September 30. Also read: Higher education: 22 new courses and 642 vacancies supported by the PRR

Value of scholarships

O The amount the student receives always depends on the tuition fee charged by the educational institution. The reference grant has a value equal to 11x IAS in force (4875.2 euros) plus the tuition fee charged at the educational institution. The value of the annual grant is calculated through the difference between the reference grant and the per capita income of the household.

Supplements to the Scholarship

If the student cannot find a place in a residence, he can apply for an accommodation supplement, which can go up to 221.60 euros (50% of the IAS). Attention, in areas with greater pressure on the cost of rent there is a increase that, in 2022, can go up to 288.08 eurosin the case of students studying in Lisbon, Cascais or Oeiras. displaced students, there is also a travel supplement in the amount of 250 euros.Read more: Higher education prerequisites: What are they and what can be requested?