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The École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers the EPFL Social Scholarship 2025–2026 to assist students facing financial difficulties during their studies. This scholarship is designed to provide support to eligible students, particularly after unexpected changes in their financial or family situations.
Key Details:
* Funding Type: Partial Funding
* Location: Switzerland
* Degree Levels: Bachelor, Masters, PhD, Diploma
* Available Subjects: All subjects
* Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationalities
* Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
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Overview of the Scholarship
EPFL is committed to ensuring equal access to education by offering social scholarships as a last-resort financial support option. This aid is available once other funding avenues, such as state scholarships, loans, or family contributions, have been exhausted or are in progress.
Benefits
* Support Duration: Up to 10 months, awarded per semester (5 months per semester).
* Renewals: Possible but require reapplication and proof that the financial hardship persists.
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Eligibility Criteria
WHO CAN APPLY?
* International Students:
* Must have successfully completed at least one year of studies at EPFL.
* Must have spent a minimum of one academic year enrolled at EPFL.
* Swiss Students, Refugees, and C Permit Holders:
* Eligible from the CMS (Cours de Mathématiques Spéciales) level onwards.
* May also apply for cantonal scholarships from their respective cantons.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY:
The scholarship is intended for students who:
1. Are experiencing sudden and unforeseen financial, social, or family hardship.
2. Have already explored or are in the process of applying for other funding sources.
3. Have had their study financing plan compromised by circumstances beyond their control.
Note: The scholarship does not replace initial study funding and will take existing loans into account in the evaluation.
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Application Procedure
APPLICATION DEADLINES
* For Autumn Semester 2025 Support:
* June 1, 2025 → Notification by end of August → Payment by end of September
* August 1, 2025 → Notification by mid-October → Payment by mid-October
* October 1, 2025 → Notification by end of November → Payment by end of November
* For Spring Semester 2026 Support:
* December 1, 2025 → Notification by mid-February → Payment by early March
* February 1, 2026 → Notification and Payment by early April
* March 1, 2026 → Notification and Payment by end of April
RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
Eligible students from 2024–2025 can reapply using the Scholarship Renewal Form with deadlines similar to the initial application.
APPLICATION STEPS
1. Begin the application process early, as forms require time to complete and additional documents may be requested.
2. Students in the Canton of Geneva should apply for the Hans Wilsdorf Scholarship instead, which operates under the same criteria.
Forms and complete application information are available on the official EPFL Social Scholarship page.
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Why Choose EPFL?
EPFL is one of Europe’s leading institutions for science and technology, providing a world-class academic environment and a community that values equity and student well-being. With dedicated support systems and flexible aid options, EPFL enables students to focus on their academic goals despite personal challenges.
For more information and to apply, visit the EPFL Social Scholarship page [https://www.epfl.ch/education/studies/en/epfl-social-scholarship/].