What grants and scholarships are
In plain words: what they are, what types exist, what they give, why apply and how to avoid scams. This page explains the words you will meet in the catalogue.
Updated: 2026-10-06
What they are
A grant or scholarship is money or another benefit (tuition, housing, a trip, a place in a programme) given to you for study or a project that you do not have to repay as long as you meet the conditions. In Spain this is usually called a beca or an ayuda.
A loan is different: it is repaid with interest. There are no loans in our catalogue, only support you do not repay.
“Not repaid” does not mean “no conditions”. You usually have to pass a minimum number of subjects or keep your grades. If you break the conditions, the funder may ask for the money back. Read the rules.
Types (six in the catalogue)
| Type | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | Money or tuition cover while you study | The Ministry of Education's general grant, foundation programmes |
| Waivers and discounts | You pay less tuition or none | A discount for a high PAU mark, tuition-free study for EU citizens in some countries |
| Prize | An award for an achievement, usually after selection | Premios Extraordinarios |
| Competition | A contest with prizes, internships or seed money | Olympiads, project contests |
| Programme | Training, mentoring, summer school, sometimes paid | University summer schools, accelerators for students |
| Mobility | A trip or exchange funded by a programme | Erasmus+, DiscoverEU |
Who gives them
- The state and regions: Spain's Ministry of Education, regional governments, city councils.
- Universities and business schools: discounts for grades, sport, family or applying early.
- Foundations and non-profits: for example bank or family foundations and international organisations.
- Companies: scholarships and programmes for future professionals.
- The European Union: Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, DiscoverEU.
What they can cover
- Tuition (matrícula): all or part of it.
- Housing and daily costs: a monthly payment or accommodation.
- Cash: a one-off or regular amount.
- Travel, equipment (laptop, books) and meals.
- A place in a programme: mentor, course, internship, network.
What selection is based on
One programme can weigh several bases at once. The site's questionnaire compares your profile with them and shows what is missing.
| Basis | What it means | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Merit | Grades, PAU/EBAU mark, exams | Transcript, scores, certificates |
| Financial need | Family income and assets | Tax records, family details |
| Universal | No contest: meet the conditions and you get it | Proof of the conditions |
| Specific groups | Large family, disability, first-generation student, women in science and technology, refugees, rural areas | A document proving your status |
| Achievements | Olympiads, sport, arts, volunteering, projects | Diplomas, links, letters |
Why apply
- It lowers the cost of study: sometimes all of it, sometimes part, and part still counts.
- The money is not repaid if you meet the conditions.
- A scholarship, prize or competition improves your CV and opens contacts.
- Preparing the application is useful in itself: it makes you put your goals into words.
- Do not rule yourself out in advance: check eligibility by the rules, not by feeling.
The general route to applying
- 1Take the questionnaire: it shows matching programmes and what is missing.
- 2Open the programme's official page (the link is on the card) and read the full rules.
- 3Gather documents early: many certificates take days or weeks.
- 4Put the deadline in your calendar. A missed deadline is almost always final.
- 5Apply only through the funder's official channel and not on the last day.
- 6Keep proof of submission (email, number, screenshot).
- 7Track the status in “My grants” and follow decisions and post-award requirements.
How to tell a real programme from a scam
- A real funder does not ask for money to “unlock” or “guarantee” a scholarship. Universities sometimes charge an official application fee: it is stated in the rules.
- Check the web address and look for the same programme on the ministry's, university's or foundation's own site.
- Be wary of “you have already won”, “guaranteed result” or “today only”.
- Never send anyone passwords, SMS codes or card details.
- If in doubt, ask your school counsellor or the university's international office.
If someone asks you to receive money and pass it on “for a commission”, it is a scam that uses you as a go-between. Refuse.
Glossary of catalogue words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| beca | A scholarship or study grant |
| matrícula | Tuition or course enrolment; “matrícula de honor” is the top mark in a subject |
| PAU / EBAU / EvAU | University entrance exams in Spain; “nota de admisión” is the final mark (out of 14) |
| convocatoria / bases | A call for applications and its full rules |
| plazo | The application deadline |
| familia numerosa | Large-family status (gives several benefits and discounts) |
| umbral de renta | The family-income ceiling above which need-based aid is not given |
| empadronamiento | Registration at your address with the municipality |
| Cl@ve | Digital identification for Spanish public services |
| resolución | The official decision to grant or refuse |
How to use GrantCompass
- 1Take the “Find grants” questionnaire: it shows your five best programmes and a requirements list marked “met”, “missing” and “to prepare”.
- 2Open a card: you will find the amount, deadline, the verbatim conditions from the official page, the application link and a step-by-step guide.
- 3Create an account to save grants, keep statuses and notes and open them on any device.
- 4Watch deadlines in “Deadlines” and on the “Applications soon” page.
- 5Prepare the letter draft on the grant card and be sure to rewrite it in your own words.