Saltar para o conteúdo principal

Organization responsible for coordinating and implementing public policies in the field of higher education.

Student Support and Innovation

The Portuguese public higher education system integrates a structured set of social and academic support measures designed to promote equal opportunities in access to, attendance at, and completion of study cycles, contributing to the removal of constraints of an economic, social, geographical nature or arising from the specific needs of students.

Social action in higher education constitutes a fundamental instrument of national educational policy, and is framed, in particular, by... Law No. 62/2007, which establishes the general principles of the higher education system, and by Decree-Law No. 129/93, which defines the basis for social action in higher education. This framework is complemented by various specific laws and regulations that govern the conditions for granting support, the eligibility criteria, and the applicable procedures.

In this context, students in public higher education can benefit from a wide range of support, including scholarships, mobility grants, emergency aid, support for accommodation, food, transport, specific support for students with disabilities or impairments, measures to support internationalization, programs to encourage academic merit, and other forms of direct and indirect social action promoted by the State and higher education institutions.

The provision of these mechanisms aims to ensure that the socioeconomic conditions of students do not constitute an obstacle to the pursuit of their academic path, while simultaneously promoting equity, inclusion, social cohesion and academic success in higher education.

The following sections present the different types of support available within the public higher education system, as well as the respective background information, access requirements, and other elements relevant to their allocation and implementation.

Highlights

Here you can find the main news and highlights related to Scholarships, Accommodation, Support Programs and other Grants.

Bags

Within the framework of the social action system for public higher education, several financial support instruments are available to promote equal opportunities, inclusion, and academic success for students. Among these, the following stand out: Social Action Scholarships, intended for economically disadvantaged students; the +Superior Program, which encourages attendance at institutions located in less densely populated areas; Scholarships for Students with Disabilities, aimed at students with a disability rating of 60% or higher; and Scholarships for Teacher Training Courses, created to encourage the pursuit of training leading to professional qualification for teaching in areas identified as priorities for the education system.

These support measures, although distinct in their objectives, recipients, and allocation criteria, share the common goal of ensuring that economic, social, territorial factors, or those arising from specific needs, do not constitute obstacles to accessing, attending, and completing a cycle of studies in higher education. Their allocation is governed by specific legislation and regulations, and is managed by [the relevant authority/organization]. Institute for Higher Education – IES, IP., in conjunction with higher education institutions and their respective social services.

The following sections present the main characteristics of each of these support modalities, including their respective objectives, eligibility conditions, application procedures, and applicable regulatory framework.

  • PESSOAS2030_BarraCofinan_Ass_RGB_2744px

    Scholarships

    Social Action Scholarships constitute financial support granted by the State to higher education students who demonstrate economic hardship, with the aim of contributing to the costs associated with attending a course of study.

    This support aims to promote equal opportunities in access to and retention in higher education, contributing to academic success and the reduction of social inequalities.

    The awarding of scholarships is governed by current legislation and regulations, with the process being overseen by the Social Action Services or Offices of higher education institutions.

    Find all the information here.

  • Superior Program

    O Superior Program This constitutes a measure to support higher education attendance, aimed at encouraging students with fewer economic resources to pursue their studies in institutions located in regions of the country where the demand for higher education is less significant. By promoting student mobility to territories with lower student population density, the program seeks to create more balanced conditions for access to higher education throughout the national territory.

    This initiative aims to strengthen territorial cohesion, contributing to the retention of young people in less sought-after regions and to the social, economic, and academic development of these territories. Simultaneously, it aims to promote a more balanced distribution of the student population among higher education institutions and to support the increase in the qualification levels of the Portuguese population. In this way, the Superior Program It contributes to the achievement of national development goals and to strengthening opportunities for training and academic enhancement for students.

    Find all the information here.

  • Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

    The initiative “"Inclusion for Knowledge"” This aims to promote equal opportunities in access to higher education, ensuring better conditions for inclusion and participation for students with special needs. Within this framework, specific support has been created for students with a disability rating of 60% or higher, facilitating access to and retention in higher education.

    Through this measure, eligible students can benefit from a scholarship corresponding to the tuition fees actually paid, up to the limit currently set at... 2,750 euros, contributing to the reduction of costs associated with attending a course and to the promotion of academic success.

    Find all the information here.

  • Scholarships for Teacher Training Courses

    Since 2024-2025, the following have been assigned scholarships for attending courses courses taught at Higher Education Institutions leading to professional qualification for teaching, specifically:

    • For students entering study programs leading to the degree of Bachelor's degree in Basic Education;
    • For students entering study programs leading to the degree of Master's degree in the specialties that qualify for teaching, corresponding to recruitment deficit groups.
    In each school year, a maximum total number of [number] may be assigned. 2500 scholarships.
    O The scholarship amount corresponds to the tuition fee due, up to the maximum tuition fee amount. fixed for the respective study cycle of public higher education.
    Students enrolled in degree programs leading to a Bachelor's degree in Basic Education who are awarded a scholarship benefit from its annual renewal, provided they maintain satisfactory academic performance, up to a maximum of two renewals.
    The assignment of bag This obligates the beneficiary to apply for competitive teacher recruitment procedures for the following three years. to the conclusion of the study cycle leading to a master's degree, but it does not harm the right of withdrawal on the part of students eligible candidates, which must be exercised in response to notification of their allocation.
    The application schedules for the scholarship allocation process are set by order of the Director-General of Higher Education and can be consulted in "Documents," such as the lists with the ranking of eligible students, enrolled, either in the Bachelor's degree in Basic Education, or in study cycles leading to a master's degree that qualify for teaching..
PESSOAS2030_BarraCofinan_Ass_RGB_2744px

Scholarships

Social Action Scholarships constitute financial support granted by the State to higher education students who demonstrate economic hardship, with the aim of contributing to the costs associated with attending a course of study.

This support aims to promote equal opportunities in access to and retention in higher education, contributing to academic success and the reduction of social inequalities.

The awarding of scholarships is governed by current legislation and regulations, with the process being overseen by the Social Action Services or Offices of higher education institutions.

Find all the information here.

Superior Program

O Superior Program This constitutes a measure to support higher education attendance, aimed at encouraging students with fewer economic resources to pursue their studies in institutions located in regions of the country where the demand for higher education is less significant. By promoting student mobility to territories with lower student population density, the program seeks to create more balanced conditions for access to higher education throughout the national territory.

This initiative aims to strengthen territorial cohesion, contributing to the retention of young people in less sought-after regions and to the social, economic, and academic development of these territories. Simultaneously, it aims to promote a more balanced distribution of the student population among higher education institutions and to support the increase in the qualification levels of the Portuguese population. In this way, the Superior Program It contributes to the achievement of national development goals and to strengthening opportunities for training and academic enhancement for students.

Find all the information here.

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

The initiative “"Inclusion for Knowledge"” This aims to promote equal opportunities in access to higher education, ensuring better conditions for inclusion and participation for students with special needs. Within this framework, specific support has been created for students with a disability rating of 60% or higher, facilitating access to and retention in higher education.

Through this measure, eligible students can benefit from a scholarship corresponding to the tuition fees actually paid, up to the limit currently set at... 2,750 euros, contributing to the reduction of costs associated with attending a course and to the promotion of academic success.

Find all the information here.

Scholarships for Teacher Training Courses

Since 2024-2025, the following have been assigned scholarships for attending courses courses taught at Higher Education Institutions leading to professional qualification for teaching, specifically:

  • For students entering study programs leading to the degree of Bachelor's degree in Basic Education;
  • For students entering study programs leading to the degree of Master's degree in the specialties that qualify for teaching, corresponding to recruitment deficit groups.
In each school year, a maximum total number of [number] may be assigned. 2500 scholarships.
O The scholarship amount corresponds to the tuition fee due, up to the maximum tuition fee amount. fixed for the respective study cycle of public higher education.
Students enrolled in degree programs leading to a Bachelor's degree in Basic Education who are awarded a scholarship benefit from its annual renewal, provided they maintain satisfactory academic performance, up to a maximum of two renewals.
The assignment of bag This obligates the beneficiary to apply for competitive teacher recruitment procedures for the following three years. to the conclusion of the study cycle leading to a master's degree, but it does not harm the right of withdrawal on the part of students eligible candidates, which must be exercised in response to notification of their allocation.
The application schedules for the scholarship allocation process are set by order of the Director-General of Higher Education and can be consulted in "Documents," such as the lists with the ranking of eligible students, enrolled, either in the Bachelor's degree in Basic Education, or in study cycles leading to a master's degree that qualify for teaching..
LOGO_pnaes

Accommodation
National Plan for Accommodation in Higher Education (PNAES)

The National Plan for Student Accommodation in Higher Education (PNAES) is a state initiative aimed at strengthening the supply of student accommodation at affordable prices, promoting better conditions for access, attendance and academic success in higher education.

Through the construction, rehabilitation, and modernization of student residences, the PNAES (National Program for Student Accommodation) seeks to meet the accommodation needs of students living away from home, contributing to the reduction of costs associated with attending higher education and promoting equal opportunities.

This plan constitutes an important instrument of social action, reinforcing the welcoming capacity of higher education institutions and supporting the retention of students throughout their academic journey.

Learn more at PNAES.PT

FAQs

Accommodation allowance for non-scholarship holders

Accommodation support aims to minimize the costs associated with relocating from one's usual residence to attend higher education, and is a fundamental measure for students who have to move away from their place of residence.

This support can be provided through access to student residences, the allocation of accommodation supplements integrated into the scholarship, or, where applicable, specific support aimed at contributing to housing expenses, promoting adequate conditions for academic success and retention.

The accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students is intended for higher education students who:
They are in the position of a displaced student;
They must have a per capita income in their household equal to or less than 28 times the social support index;
Fulfill the remaining conditions stipulated in the Regulations for the Awarding of Scholarships to Higher Education Students;
Please present the receipts for accommodation payments during school term and the rental agreement if the receipts are not electronic.

Yes. In order to benefit from accommodation supplements for non-scholarship students, if a scholarship is not awarded, an application for a scholarship must first be submitted by completing and completing the respective application form.

Subsequently, pay attention to the result, in case it is rejected under conditions that still allow for the allocation of the accommodation supplement.

Students wishing to apply for the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students must submit a scholarship application, answering YES on the scholarship application form to the question "If your scholarship application is rejected due to higher income, do you still request the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students?".

The application for a scholarship is submitted online through the BeOn platform, available here.

In order to benefit from the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students, the scholarship application must be submitted by October 31st, answering YES on the scholarship application form to the question "If your scholarship application is rejected due to higher income, do you still request the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students?".

Students whose scholarship application has been rejected may benefit from the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students only if the scholarship was rejected due to a per capita income exceeding 23 times the social support index.
If the scholarship application was rejected for any other reason, they are not eligible for the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students.

In addition to the documents that may be requested as part of the scholarship application, for the purposes of awarding the accommodation supplement to non-scholarship students, rent receipts for accommodation payments and the lease agreement may be requested or should be submitted when the receipts are not electronic.

No. Similar to what is required of scholarship students, the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students can only be granted upon presentation of accommodation rent receipts.

Similar to what applies to scholarship students, the number of months covered by the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students depends on the number of months of enrollment, up to a maximum of 10.
Students living away from home who receive accommodation allowances may benefit from an additional month when, through proof issued by the Higher Education Institution (HEI), they demonstrate that they have been carrying out or are carrying out academic activities that require them to maintain their status as students living away from home.

The monthly value of the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students corresponds to the monthly cost actually paid for accommodation and proven by receipt, up to a limit of 50% of the values set in the Regulations for the Award of Scholarships to Higher Education Students for the accommodation supplement for scholarship students, which vary depending on the municipality where the Higher Education Institution or its respective organic unit is located.
In 2024-2025, the maximum values for the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students are as follows:
Municipalities
Limit for non-scholarship holders
Lisbon, Cascais, Oeiras
241,90 €
Harbor
229,17 €
Sintra, Almada
203,71 €
Faro, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Matosinhos, Maia, Vila Nova de Gaia
190,98 €
Funchal, Setúbal
178,24 €
Ponta Delgada, Aveiro, Braga, Odivelas, Amadora, Guimarães, Vila do Conde, Póvoa de Varzim, Torres Vedras, Paredes
165,51 €
Coimbra, Évora, Portimão, Barreiro
152,78 €
Other municipalities not included in the previous tiers.
140,05 €

If the accommodation supplement is granted to non-scholarship students in public higher education, subsequent rent receipts must be submitted monthly to the Social Action Services (SAS) of the respective Higher Education Institution (IES), and information on how to submit them should be obtained from the same institution.
Only in the case of private higher education should subsequent receipts be sent via... Be Com | DGES.

Yes. Similar to what is required of scholarship students who are away from home, the accommodation supplement for non-scholarship students can only be granted when, having requested accommodation in a SAS residence, it has not been obtained.

No. The relocation allowance is only intended for students who have relocated from their hometown and who receive an accommodation allowance and are scholarship recipients.

logo_bies

Counter IncluIES

Included in the "Inclusion for Knowledge" Program promoted by Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, The IncluiES Help Desk, which brings together content on disability support resulting from partnerships with various entities and associations, has the following main objectives:

  • Providing information on support for people with disabilities in higher education;
  • To promote and publicize the different services offered by higher education institutions in supporting people with disabilities;
  • To disseminate and promote good practices in the field of disability;
  • To promote collaboration and the exchange of information between higher education institutions in supporting students, faculty, and researchers.;
  • Raising awareness of disability in higher education;
  • To promote the international mobility of students/teachers with disabilities within the European space through the Erasmus+ Program.

O Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation It prioritizes promoting accessibility to higher education and knowledge for citizens with special needs (students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and researchers) as a core objective, considering it an essential means for exercising the rights granted to any member of a democratic and inclusive society.

Atualizado em June 18, 2026