The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport has launched the new call for applications for scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic yearThese grants are aimed at students in post-compulsory education throughout Spain. They comprise a very comprehensive package, covering everything from Baccalaureate and Vocational Training to university degrees, official master's degrees, and higher artistic studies.
With a budget that is once again at historic levels and with several significant changes in requirements and amountsThese MEC scholarships are now the main source of public financial support, ensuring that no student has to abandon their studies for economic reasons. The application process is governed by a specific royal decree published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and maintains the system of fixed and variable amounts used in previous years, with some adjustments.
Which studies qualify for a scholarship in the 2026-2027 academic year?
The Ministry's general scholarships are aimed at those studying post-compulsory and higher education within the Spanish education system, always in official centers and valid throughout the national territory. The call for applications distinguishes between non-university and university studies (including higher artistic education).
In the block of non-university studies are included:
- High school.
- Vocational Training Cycles of Intermediate and Higher Level, including those taught in military educational centers.
- Professional artistic teachings.
- Sports education.
- Higher religious studies.
- Language teaching in official schools, both in person and in distance learning mode.
- Access courses and preparation courses for vocational training entrance exams, as well as specific courses for access to intermediate and higher level training cycles taught in public and private subsidized centers.
- Basic Level Vocational Training Cycles.
In the field of university and higher artistic educationThe call for applications includes:
- Official university degrees.
- Official university master's degrees, both enabling and non-enabling, including those carried out in universities of the Defense, Civil Guard and the University Training Center of the National Police.
- Higher artistic education.
- University entrance preparation course for people over 25 years old taught by public universities.
- Supplementary credits or training supplements necessary for access to or obtaining the Bachelor's or Master's degree.
The following are expressly excluded from this call for applications: doctoral studies, postgraduate studies, specialization programs and university-specific degreesIn other words, the aid focuses on regulated undergraduate and master's degree programs, as well as vocational training and artistic and sports studies that are part of the official system.
Types of scholarships and grants available
The call for applications for the 2026-2027 academic year includes several types of aid which, in many cases, can be accumulate within the same scholarshipprovided that the general, economic, and academic requirements are met. The scholarship that each student ultimately receives is the sum of one or more components.
First of all there are the general scholarships for non-university studiesThese are the grants that can be requested by those who will be studying for their Baccalaureate, Intermediate or Advanced Vocational Training, professional artistic studies, sports studies, higher religious studies, languages āāat official schools, access or preparation courses for Vocational Training, and Basic Vocational Training cycles. In addition to the basic grant, these students can apply for amounts linked to income, residence, academic excellence, and a variable component.
In second place are the general scholarships for university studies or similarThis includes degrees, official master's degrees, higher artistic studies, supplementary credits, and university access courses for those over 25 years of age offered by public universities. In these cases, the main component is usually the tuition scholarship, to which, if the conditions are met, are added allowances for income, residence, academic excellence, and a variable component.
Furthermore, the Ministry maintains a specific program of educational support aid For students with specific educational support needs. These grants are aimed at, among others, students with disabilities of 25% or more, serious behavioral disorders, serious communication and language disorders, autism spectrum disorder, or giftedness. Not all programs of study are eligible for this type of grant, so it is advisable to review the detailed information in the call for applications.
Fixed and variable amounts of scholarships
The scholarship system for the course 2026-2027 maintains the structure of fixed and variable amountsThe total scholarship for each student results from adding up the components to which they are entitled according to their family income, academic situation and type of studies.
fixed amounts The following are planned:
- Tuition Scholarship (For university and equivalent studies): Covers the official public price of the credits in which the student enrolls for the first time. The amount is paid directly to the university.
- Fixed amount linked to income: 1.700 euros for both university and non-university students, provided that the family income does not exceed the corresponding threshold.
- Fixed amount linked to residence: 2.700 euros for those who have to change their address during the course for study reasons, without this amount exceeding the actual cost of accommodation.
- Fixed amount linked to academic excellence: between 50 and 125 euros depending on the average grade, applicable to both university and non-university students.
- Basic scholarship For non-university students: 300 euros, which rises to 350 euros in the case of those studying Basic Level training cycles.
La variable amount It is calculated once all fixed amounts have been assigned, based on the remaining budget availabilityThe minimum guaranteed amount is 60 euros. The specific amount each applicant receives is determined by weighting the average grade of their academic record and the family income per capita, so that the distribution favors those with fewer resources and better performance.
It is important to note that the Ministry's scholarships only They cover credits enrolled in for the first timeIf a student re-enrolls in subjects already taken and failed, those credits from the second and subsequent enrollments are not financed with the tuition scholarship.
Income thresholds and economic requirements
In addition to meeting the general and academic requirements, eligibility for these grants is assessed based on the following: economic situation of the family unitIncome and certain assets determine both eligibility for the scholarship and the amounts to be received.
The call sets three income thresholdsThese amounts vary depending on the number of eligible family members. The exact amounts are updated each year by Royal Decree, but three basic levels are maintained:
- Threshold 1The strictest option, designed for the lowest income brackets. It provides around ā¬8.843 annually for single-person households and up to ā¬36.255 for families of eight, with an additional amount for each extra member. Those below this threshold may be eligible for fixed income, residence, excellence, variable, and tuition scholarships (for programs that offer them).
- Threshold 2This is a broader range, with approximate limits from ā¬13.898 for single-member families to around ā¬52.850 for eight-member families, also with increases for each additional member. Applicants who fall between income thresholds 1 and 2 are usually entitled to accommodation assistance, a basic grant (if applicable), an excellence grant, a variable component, and a tuition fee grant.
- Threshold 3The most lenient of the three, with reference figures ranging from around ā¬14.818 for one member to approximately ā¬56.348 for eight members, with an additional increase for each extra member. Those who do not exceed this threshold but do exceed level 2 may be eligible for academic excellence aid, a variable amount, and a tuition scholarship, provided their field of study allows it.
If the family income exceeds the amounts set in the threshold 3In general, students are not entitled to a general scholarship. However, the regulations provide for specific cases in which the amount of aid may vary, for example, in distance learning programs, part-time enrollments, access courses to vocational training, language courses, or certain situations in Basic Level Vocational Training. These exceptions are detailed in the royal decree that regulates the call for applications.
In addition to rent, the following are also valued heritage elements such as capital gains, investment income, or ownership of real estate other than the primary residence. The so-called wealth thresholds have been updated by an average of 10%, a significant revision after years without changes in this area.
Academic requirements for non-university students, Bachelor's and Master's degrees
The awarding of scholarships is not limited to economic status: a minimum academic performanceThe exact requirements may vary slightly between courses, but the general structure remains the same and serves as a reference for students thinking of applying for aid in 2026-2027.
In the non-university levels (High School Diploma, Vocational Training, etc.), the usual conditions are:
- For the first year of Baccalaureate, a minimum grade of 5,00 points in the fourth year of ESO is required as a reference for previous courses.
- For the first year of Intermediate and Basic Vocational Training cycles, it is required to be enrolled in the corresponding cycle.
- For the first year of Higher Level Vocational Training, a minimum grade of 5,00 points is usually required in the second year of Baccalaureate, in the previous Intermediate Level cycle or in the corresponding entrance exam.
- In second years and beyond, it is required to have passed all subjects except oneor a number of modules that does not exceed 15% of the total hours of the course in which you were enrolled.
In the undergraduate university studiesThe usual criteria are:
- For the first year of a degree, a minimum grade of 5,00 points in the university access qualification (Baccalaureate plus general phase of the EBAU) or in the equivalent test or teaching for those who access through other means.
- For 2nd year and subsequent years in technical and science degrees, pass at least the 65% of the loans enrolled in the previous course.
- For 2nd year and subsequent courses in Health Sciences, having passed at least 80% of the credits of the previous course.
- For 2nd year and subsequent courses in Social Sciences and Law, Arts and Humanities, it is required to pass around 90% of the credits enrolled in the previous year.
In the official master's degreesTo be eligible for a scholarship, the following is usually required:
- For the first year of a master's program, a minimum grade point average of 5,00 is required in the studies that grant access to the program. In the case of engineering and architecture degrees, this grade is weighted by multiplying it by 1,17.
- For the 2nd year and beyond, having passed 100% of the credits enrolled in the previous year and maintaining a grade equal to or higher than 5,00 points.
At all levels, students with recognized disability between 25% and 64% They have a specific adaptation of the required course load to be considered full enrollment for scholarship purposes, which makes the academic requirements more flexible without penalizing their right to aid.
Key new features for the 2026-2027 academic year
The call for scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year introduces several relevant changes compared to previous courses, which mainly affect students with part-time enrollments, people with disabilities and students who have to travel from Ceuta and Melilla to the Peninsula.
One of the main measures is that the University and higher artistic education scholarship recipients with part-time enrollments Students taking between 48 and 59 credits will be eligible for partial income and accommodation assistance. Specifically, those who meet the other economic and academic requirements will be able to receive 350 euros for each of these categories, representing a significant change for those who cannot afford a full 60-credit enrollment.
It also highlights the adaptation of the required teaching load Students with disabilities between 25% and 64% will be eligible for scholarships. For these students, a full enrollment of 45 credits instead of 60 will be considered for scholarship purposes, making it easier to combine their studies with their specific needs.
Another significant new development is the reinforcement of the travel allowances For students from Ceuta and Melilla who must travel to the mainland to pursue higher education, the additional mobility allowance is practically doubled, increasing from 444 to 888 euros, thus matching the existing allowance for students residing in island territories.
Finally, the call for applications updates the wealth thresholds family income has risen by an average of 10%, something that hadn't happened for approximately fifteen years. This review aims to adjust the criteria to the current economic reality, although the income thresholds remain largely unchanged.
Application deadlines and procedures for processing the scholarship
The application period has been brought forward and is concentrated in the spring. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Deadline for application It opens on Tuesday, April 7th at 08:00 a.m. (peninsular time) and closes on Monday, May 18th at 15:00 p.m., also peninsular time. These dates are the same for both university and non-university studies.
The process is carried out exclusively digitally, through the Electronic headquarters of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sportat the addresses https://sede.educacion.gob.es or www.educacionyfp.gob.es. The student must complete the online form, review the data and sign the application with one of the accepted electronic signature systems: registered username and password, electronic certificate or Cl@ve system.
The application is only considered submitted if the entire online process is completed and the application receiptThis receipt should be kept as proof of having processed the application within the deadline, as it may be required in case of subsequent incidents or claims.
One particular feature of this system is that it can Apply for the scholarship even if you are not yet sure what you are going to study the following year. In that case, it is recommended to indicate the most likely studies and university, with the possibility of modifying that information later, usually in September, when enrollment is already confirmed.
Territorial changes: the case of Catalonia and regional information
This year there is a significant change for students whose family home is in CataloniaFrom the 2026-2027 call for applications, the powers regarding general scholarships have been transferred to the Generalitat, so Catalan students will no longer be able to process the state MEC scholarship through the Ministry for these studies.
In practice, this means that students who are habitually resident in Catalonia will have to apply for their university and non-university scholarships through the corresponding regional call for applications. The procedure is carried out through the official portals of the Generalitat (such as the AGAUR website), maintaining a similar schedule, with the same date range between April and May.
In the other autonomous communities, the management of the general call for applications remains linked to the electronic headquarters of the MinistryEach educational administration and each university has its own scholarship unit, responsible for internal processing and resolving incidents and queries specific to its territorial scope.
As an example, in Galicia the application period has been publicly recalled and the impact of these grants has been highlighted: in the last academic year, according to data from the Government Delegation, the grants benefited around 54.000 Galician families, with an investment close to 132 million euros, a volume significantly higher than that of almost a decade ago.
Application tracking and scholarship status inquiry
Once the application has been submitted, the student can track the processing status through the Ministry's own website. In the "My Files" section, you will find notifications about each scholarship, from receipt to resolution and, where applicable, payment.
If you have any questions or need more detailed information, you can contact the scholarship unit of the educational administration or the university corresponding, always identifying themselves with their NIF or NIE. These units manage the review of documentation, the correction of errors and the communication of incidents.
The Ministry also publishes information on its official website about the progress of the process in each educational administration and university, so that applicants can get an approximate idea of āāthe timeframes in which the files are being resolved.
In many areas, such as the province of Alicante, scholarship units disseminate information documents with practical instructions for educational centers, students and families, with the aim of reducing errors in the application and streamlining the campaign management.
Planned investment and scope of the 2026-2027 call for proposals
The Council of Ministers has approved an estimated budget of 2.559 millones de euros for scholarships and study grants for the 2026-2027 academic year. This amount represents a slight increase compared to the approximately 2.544 billion of the previous year and is well above the figures prior to the pandemic, when the amount was around 1.500 billion.
Compared to 2018, investment in scholarships has grown by more than 1.000 millones de eurosThis represents an increase of nearly 83% compared to the previous budget of 1.399 billion. With this budget, the government expects to reach approximately one million students.
Official estimates indicate that around 752.000 students They will receive aid in the general call, while some 225.000 students They will benefit from aid for specific educational support needs. These figures position the MEC scholarship system as one of the State's main instruments of educational and redistributive policy.
Beyond the overall figures, the impact is also felt at the regional level. Cases like Galicia, with an increase of more than 50% in the volume of aid in recent years, illustrate how the budgetary reinforcement has been transferred to the local level, expanding the number of students who can continue their studies with public support.
Scholarships for official master's degrees and compatibility with other aid
Within the general call, the scholarships for official master's degrees They occupy a relevant place for those planning to continue their university education. They can be requested for both professional master's degrees (which grant access to regulated professions) and non-professional master's degrees, provided they are official qualifications and their price is regulated by the corresponding autonomous community.
Scholarships are also being considered for supplementary or leveling credits These funds are required to access or complete the master's program, as well as for the university access course for students over 25 years of age offered by public universities. In the case of official master's programs offered by private universities, the tuition scholarship covers, at most, the public price of the same or a similar degree at a public university in the region, so any additional cost is the responsibility of the student.
Regarding compatibility, the Ministry's general scholarship for university studies (with the exception of the MEC residence grant) may be compatible with other aids, such as New Medrano ScholarshipsThese latter ones are intended for undergraduate students who want to spend a year at another Spanish university, with a monthly contribution of around 900 euros for nine months to facilitate mobility for those with fewer resources.
The Medrano Scholarships are aimed at students enrolled in official undergraduate degree programs who have completed at least 60 credits, with the transfer to another university taking place from the second year onwards. The possibility of combining the Ministry's general scholarship (excluding the accommodation component) with this type of aid expands the options for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to have academic experiences on other campuses.
In parallel, some private entities maintain their own support programs linked to the public scholarship system. One example is the "la Caixa" FoundationThis initiative offers a limited number of undergraduate scholarships for students with excellent academic records and limited resources who are beginning undergraduate or higher artistic studies for the first time in the 2026-2027 academic year at Spanish public institutions. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must also have applied for the Ministry's general scholarship (or the Basque Government's, as applicable).
How to apply and what documentation is needed
The application process for the MEC scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year is structured entirely in a telematicsThe first step is to register on the Ministry of Education's electronic portal, if you have not done so in previous years, and have a valid means of identification and signature (username and password, digital certificate or Cl@ve system).
Once inside the platform, the applicant must fill out the official formThis involves providing information about personal and family details, the family's financial situation, previous studies and those planned for the next academic year, as well as the institution where enrollment is planned. In most cases, the Administration automatically cross-references tax and academic data, so additional documentation is not always required in person.
After completing the information, the next step is to Electronic signature of the application and its electronic submission. The system generates a receipt or confirmation that can be downloaded and saved electronically or printed. Without this final step, the scholarship is not registered and the application will not be considered.
For those under 18 years of age, the application must be signed by their guardian. legal representativeNormally, mothers, fathers, or guardians. In some specific cases, the scholarship unit may require the submission of additional documents, such as disability certificates, large family certificates, or proof of dependency or gender-based violence, which may result in deductions from taxable income.
It is common for the Ministry and educational authorities to publish practical guides and explanatory videos to support families during the campaign. In some provinces, short links and specific information materials are even disseminated, available on official websites and in educational centers, to answer frequently asked questions before formalizing the application.
With all these elements on the table ātypes of studies covered, fixed and variable amounts, income thresholds, new provisions for part-time enrollments and students with disabilities, application schedule and compatibility with other aidā the scholarship system for the 2026-2027 academic year is configured as a key tool to facilitate access to and retention in post-compulsory education in Spain, offering a wide range of support to both university and non-university students.