National school grants (becas generales) for Bachillerato and FP

Terms used

• Becas generales — Becas generales are the Education Ministry's national school grants for post-compulsory studies, with fixed and variable amounts.
• FP — FP is formación profesional, Spain's vocational training, at basic, intermediate and higher levels.
• Bachillerato — Bachillerato is the two-year upper secondary course that follows ESO and prepares students for university or higher FP.
• ESO — ESO is compulsory secondary education, for pupils aged about 12 to 16.
• Cl@ve — Cl@ve is the government's digital identity system for signing in to online public services.

Key rules

• Stages covered: National becas generales cover post-compulsory studies such as Bachillerato and FP, not infant, primary or ESO.
• Basque Country and Navarra: Students there apply to their own regional education body, not the national call.
• Residence: Non-Spanish applicants generally need legal residence or an EU right to reside.
• Figures change yearly: Income thresholds and amounts are reset every year, so use the current call's figures.

Who the national grants cover

National becas generales cover post-compulsory studies. That means Bachillerato, intermediate and higher FP, basic FP, and some artistic, sports and language-school courses. Infant, primary and ESO pupils without special educational needs get aid from their region or town council instead. There is also aid for students with specific educational support needs (NEAE), which can reach some pupils in earlier stages. The exact stages and NEAE categories are set in each year's call.

The Basque Country and Navarra run their own systems

If you live in the Basque Country or Navarra, you apply to your regional education body, not the national call. Their income limits, amounts, forms and deadlines differ. You usually cannot also use the national scheme for the same studies.

What you can receive

The grant is built from fixed and variable components.

• Fixed amounts: a fixed amount linked to family income, an amount for living away from the family home, and an excellence amount based on grades. Recent calls also include a travel or residence amount.
• Variable amounts: a basic amount, plus an amount that depends on the average grade and family income, with a minimum.

The Royal Decree and the call for the year set the figures. Check the latest ones before you plan around any amount.

Income and wealth conditions

Your household size, from one to eight members, decides which of three income thresholds applies. The lower your income compared with the threshold, the higher the grade of aid. Household income comes from tax agency data for the tax year the call uses.

There is also a wealth test. It sets limits on the cadastral value of property other than your main home, on income from capital, and on business turnover. Thresholds are updated every year, so compare your figures with the current ones.

Academic conditions

• Your child must have passed the previous course, or the required share of its subjects.
• They must enrol for a full course, with a minimum number of subjects or modules.
• They must not be repeating beyond the years allowed.
• The fixed and excellence amounts need a minimum average grade. The average also affects the variable amount.

The required marks differ by call. First-time students must meet the access requirements.

Residence status

Spanish nationals have no extra requirement. Non-Spanish applicants generally need a valid residence authorisation, or the right to reside as an EU citizen or family member. Irregular residence usually rules out these grants for post-compulsory studies. Children in compulsory education still have the right to schooling. Aid from regions and councils for those stages, such as meals and textbooks, follows local rules, so ask your region or town hall.

When and how to apply

The call is usually published in spring or summer. Non-university applications typically close from the end of September to mid-October, but each call sets its own dates. The family fills in an online form with Cl@ve or an electronic certificate, and the other family members confirm their data. Decisions arrive months later. The timeline, documents and checklist below walk you through the steps.

Timeline and deadlines

• Check whether your region runs its own system (Basque Country and Navarra apply to their own regional education body): before you start

• Look for the new call in the official state bulletin and on the ministry's grants portal: in spring to summer

• Fill in the online form and have the other family members confirm their data: while the call is open

• Submit non-university applications (Bachillerato and FP): usually by the end of September to mid-October

• Wait for the resolution: several months after you apply

Documents you need

• A digital identity to sign in to the ministry's online office: either Cl@ve or an electronic certificate. Every family member who confirms their data needs one too.

• For non-Spanish applicants, a valid residence authorisation, or proof of the right to reside as an EU citizen or family member.

• Household income data held by the tax agency (AEAT) for the tax year the call uses, which the family's confirmation allows the ministry to check.

Checklist

• Check that the course is post-compulsory, such as Bachillerato or FP, because infant, primary and ESO pupils without special educational needs get aid from regions and councils instead.

• Find out whether you live in the Basque Country or Navarra and, if so, apply to your regional education body instead.

• Confirm that you are a Spanish national, a legal resident or an EU citizen or family member with the right to reside.

• Find your household size in the current royal decree and compare your income and property with the three income thresholds and wealth limits.

• Check which fixed and variable amounts you could receive, such as residence, excellence and the basic amount.

• Check that your child passed the previous course and has the minimum average grade for the amounts you want.

• Set up Cl@ve or an electronic certificate for yourself and for each family member who must confirm data.

• Apply online before the closing date in the current call.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child get a national beca general if our family has no legal residence?

Usually no: non-Spanish applicants for a beca general need legal residence in Spain or the right to reside as EU citizens or family members. Children in compulsory schooling still have the right to a school place whatever their status. Regional aid for compulsory stages often has different rules, so ask your region.

Does the beca general depend on my child's marks?

Yes, your child must have passed the previous course or the required share of subjects, and the fixed amounts and the excellence amount need a minimum average grade. The average mark also affects the variable amount. Your child must enrol for a full course, and the required marks differ by call.

Who confirms the family's data when I apply for a beca general online?

The other family members confirm their data in the electronic form once you have filled it in. You sign in to the ministry's online office with Cl@ve or a digital certificate. Make sure every family member can confirm before the call closes.

Can a student in the Basque Country or Navarra also use the national beca general?

Usually not for the same studies, because students there apply to their regional education body. Those regions set their own thresholds, amounts and deadlines, and sometimes add aid such as transport.