EPFL social scholarship

EPFL is dedicated to supporting students, in particular when their financial situation makes it difficult for them to complete their studies.

Important information

For International students

  • The funding of the entire studies must be secured before joining EPFL (information from the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Vaud).
  • EPFL cannot provide financial support in case of poor budget planning.

For Swiss students or students with a C permit

  • In case of a financial issue, the cantonal services can be contacted for a cantonal scholarship.
  • An EPFL social scholarship can also be requested in the same time.

Criteria

EPFL social scholarships :

  • Are subject to defined criteria and are awarded following an unexpected and sudden change in the social, family and/or economic situation of the applicant or of the persons in charge of the applicant.
  • Are only applied as a last resort, once all other possibilities investigated (parental contribution, state grants, loans and loan proposals, etc.) have been rejected. However, an application to a cantonal or state organisation may be in progress at the time the application is submitted to EPFL.

Support

  • Per academic year (1 or 2 semesters), that means for a maximum of ten months per year of study.
  • A renewal of the scholarship for an academic year (1 or 2 semesters) can be requested by submitting a complete application again. The renewal may be granted as long as the financial situation still justifies it.

Scholarship application

Do not wait until the deadline to submit your application, in order to ensure optimal processing of the numerous requests.

Indeed, completing the form and preparing the required documents may take time. Additionally, during the processing of your request, supplementary documents may be requested.

Eligibility

  • Students who are Swiss or have a C permit: can apply starting their first year of studies.
  • International students: can apply starting their second year of studies.

Application deadlines for support starting from the autumn semester 2023:

Application deadline      Scholarship
start date    
Notification
Payment
01.06.2023 15.09.2023 End of July 2023 Mid-October 2023
01.08.2023 15.09.2023 Beginning of October 2023 Beginning of October 2023
01.10.2023 15.09.2023 Mid-November 2023 Mid-November 2023


Application deadlines for support during the spring semester 2024:

Application deadline         
Scholarship
start date    
Notification
Payment
01.12.2023 15.02.2024 Beginning of March 2024 Beginning of March 2024
01.02.2024 15.02.2024 Beginning of April 2024 Beginning of April 2024
01.03.2024 15.02.2024 Mid-April 2024 Mid-April 2024


Application form
: Scholarship application form 2023-2024

The request  should be sent to [email protected] in a single PDF document and in the following order:

  1. Application form
  2. Other documents related to the request

Eligibility: Students who received a social commission scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year who still meet the financial hardship criteria.

Application deadlines for support starting from the autumn semester 2023:

Application deadline        
Scholarship
start date         
Notification
Payment
01.06.2023 15.09.2023 End of July 2023 Mid-October 2023
01.08.2023 15.09.2023 Beginning of October 2023 Beginning of October 2023
01.10.2023 15.09.2023 Mid-November 2023 Mid-November 2023

Application deadlines for support during the spring semester 2024:

Application deadline        
Scholarship
start date         
Notification
Payment
01.12.2023 15.02.2024 Beginning of March 2024 Beginning of March 2024
01.02.2024 15.02.2024 Beginning of April 2024 Beginning of April 2024
01.03.2024 15.02.2024 Mid-April 2024 Mid-April 2024

Application form: Scholarship renewal application form 2023-2024

The request  should be sent to [email protected] in a single PDF document and in the following order:

  1. Application form
  2. Other documents related to the request

Official documentation

Available on Polylex:

  • 2.10.0.3 Ordinance of the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne on study grants
  • 2.10.3 Directive concerning the awarding of study grants by the EPFL