INPS: 477 scholarships for students who will be admitted to merit-based university halls of residence for the 2026–27 academic year

The call for applications published by the National Social Security Institute (INPS) for university students – children and orphans of civil servants and public-sector pensioners – who, for the 2026–2027 academic year, will be admitted to the 58 University Colleges of Merit represented by the CCUM (Conference of University Colleges of Merit).
The grants range from €10,000 to €13,000 depending on the ISEE and will cover part or all of the tuition fees. Applications for the call for applications, accessible via this link, may be submitted from 12:00 on 7 July 2026 until 12:00 on 30 July 2026.

The INPS call for applications remains an important welfare opportunity for students and a recognition of the model of excellence embodied by the University Colleges of Merit, which, with their 58 facilities managed by non-profit organisations across Italia, combine high-quality accommodation for students living away from home with a personalised educational programme – complementary to their academic studies – centred on the personal, cultural and professional development of both male and female students.

Admission is based on merit criteria that recognise academic achievement, personal motivation and commitment to extracurricular activities. Once admitted, students are provided not only with board and lodging but also with an educational and community environment that fosters intellectual exchange and discussion. The educational programme offered by the Colleges, in particular, comprises courses, career guidance, tutoring, coaching, international experiences, and cultural, social and recreational activities, with a specific focus on soft skills and interpersonal skills, which are fundamental to social life and increasingly sought after in the world of work.

Based on a successful public-private partnership, the colleges also play a key role in social mobility, enabling deserving students, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances, to gain access to university education. In fact, as many as 58 per cent of students living in a hall of residence receive a scholarship, which can cover up to 100 per cent of their costs. In 60 per cent of cases, these grants are awarded directly by the halls of residence or through schemes such as the INPS scheme; in the remaining 40 per cent of cases, they are awarded by other public or private bodies, or by other university and non-university organisations.

There are around 400,000 university students living away from home in Italia. Student mobility is a phenomenon that can represent a significant financial burden for young people and their families, particularly in a context where demand for accommodation significantly outstrips supply and where inflationary pressures have led to a rise in rental prices. In this regard, by investing in scholarships, the Collegi di Merito are able to offer students a residential and educational package that is also more affordable than market-rate accommodation in most of the cities where they are located.