Are there cases where scholarships were approved but not received after reaching the university in Italy?

Yes, there are well documented cases where you could be approved or listed as eligible for a scholarship in Italy but still face severe delays, partial payments, or in rare cases no funds at all after arriving at your university. Even though the regional right to study system is generally robust, structural bottlenecks create real friction for students.

Eligible vs Beneficiary: Why It Matters

Why Payments Get Delayed Even for Winners

Even officially designated winners often wait a long time for money, since provisional rankings are usually published in November and definitive rankings can stretch into December or January. The first installment of the cash stipend is typically paid between December and March, meaning you must cover flights, visa costs, rent deposits and groceries out of pocket for your first several months. Scholarships can also be revoked after arrival if you miss merit credit deadlines or if document audits uncover discrepancies.

My Advice

Never plan your arrival budget around the assumption that scholarship money will be waiting for you. Bring at least three to four months of living expenses, roughly 2,500 to 4,000 euros, and monitor your regional portal constantly so you never miss a document deadline that could delay your payment further.