EPFL Social Scholarship 2025–2026: Financial Support for Students in Need

If you're studying at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and facing unforeseen financial challenges, the EPFL Social Scholarship offers vital support to help you continue your academic journey. Applications for the 2025–2026 academic year are now open, providing assistance to students experiencing sudden changes in their financial, social, or family circumstances. Details in this article.

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🗒️ Scholarship Summary

• Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

• Host Institution: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

• Study Level: Bachelor's and Master's

• Target Group: EPFL students facing unexpected financial hardship

• Fields of Study: All disciplines offered at EPFL

• Funding: Variable; determined based on individual financial need

• Duration: academic year (renewable upon reapplication)

• Start Date: Corresponds with the semester following the application

• Eligible Applicants: EPFL students meeting specific criteria (see below)

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🎓 Scholarship Overview

The EPFL Social Scholarship is designed to assist students who encounter sudden and unforeseen financial difficulties during their studies. It acts as a safety net, ensuring that financial hardship does not impede academic progress. The scholarship is awarded based on a thorough assessment of the applicant's financial situation and is intended to complement other forms of financial aid.

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🎁 Scholarship Benefits

• Financial Assistance: Monthly support for up to 10 months per academic year, tailored to individual needs.

• Renewable Support: Students can reapply annually if financial hardship persists.

• Complementary Aid: Designed to supplement other financial resources, not replace them.

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✅ Eligibility Criteria

For International Students:

• Must have completed at least one year of study at EPFL.

For Swiss Nationals, C Permit Holders, Refugees, or Those with a Swiss Secondary Education Certificate:

• Eligible from the CMS (Cours de Mathématiques Spéciales) year onwards.

General Requirements:

• Experiencing an unexpected and significant change in financial, social, or family circumstances.

• All other financial aid options (e.g., parental support, state grants, loans) have been explored or are in progress.

• The scholarship is considered a last resort and does not replace the initial study financing plan.

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📝 Application Procedure

1. Prepare Required Documents:

• Completed application form.

• Detailed explanation of the financial hardship.

• Supporting documents (e.g., bank statements, proof of income, loan agreements).

2. Submit Application:

• Apply online through the EPFL scholarship portal before the relevant deadline.

3. Await Notification:

• Decisions are communicated by the end of the month following the application deadline.

4. Receive Support:

• Approved applicants receive financial support starting from the corresponding semester.

✨Note: Students residing in the canton of Geneva or those who have applied for a grant from Geneva's cantonal grant office (SBPE) should apply for the Hans Wilsdorf Scholarship instead, which follows the same criteria as the EPFL Social Scholarship.

🔗 For more detailed information and to access the application forms, visit the official EPFL Social Scholarship page: [EPFL Social Scholarship]

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