Minister of Universities and Research Anna Maria Bernini has signed a decree establishing access to university student welfare services (Dsu) for participants in the new “open semester” introduced by the reform of admissions for Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine programs. The State-Regions Conference endorsed the measure.
The regulation aims to guarantee eligible students the statutory support in light of the reform, with particular focus on those from low-income families. Participants in the open semester will gain access to subsidized Dsu-rate accommodation in available university residences and capped-price meals at university canteens or affiliated outlets. Both services require at least 51% of the semester’s coursework to be completed in person.
Payment of the regional student welfare fee will be deferred; it is not required upon enrollment in the open semester, but rather at formal matriculation at the start of the second semester. Capable, deserving students lacking financial means will continue to benefit from existing support schemes.
Upon matriculation in the second semester, students become eligible to apply for the full Dsu package. This includes the full academic year’s subsidized accommodation, meals, and scholarship – covering the open semester period as well. The first scholarship installment is provisionally scheduled for March 2026, aligning with established regional timelines.
Key reforms include enhanced scholarships: open semester students qualify for increased bursaries even for accommodation contracts shorter than 10 months (minimum 3 months), with proportional calculation offering significant economic advantages over other students on short contracts.
Access to Dsu benefits uses the same economic parameters (ISEE/ISPE thresholds), merit requirements (via CFU credits), and procedures as for non-participating students, ensuring system equity and transparency. Dedicated quotas in regional calls may further increase service access chances, including for scholarships.
The Ministry is collaborating closely with regional authorities to ensure effective implementation within constitutional mandates on university welfare rights.
“This reform,” stated Minister Bernini, “marks a significant step towards a fairer, more sustainable access system for Italy’s future doctors. We guarantee concrete support to deserving students, regardless of their economic background, helping train the healthcare professionals Italy needs.”
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