Can a foreign student get Spain's national study grant (beca general)?

Terms used

• Beca básica — The beca básica is a basic grant component for FP and similar post-compulsory, non-university studies.
• FP — FP is formación profesional, Spain's vocational training, at basic, intermediate (grado medio) and higher (grado superior) levels.
• Títulos propios — Títulos propios are a university's own non-official qualifications, which do not lead to an official degree.
• UNED — The UNED is Spain's public distance-learning university.

Key rules

• Residence: Non-EU nationals must have legal residence in Spain; EU nationals are treated like Spaniards.
• Official courses only: Own-title and other non-official courses do not qualify.
• First-year university mark: First-year grado students need at least 5 points in their access mark for the basic grant components.
• Income abroad: Foreign income needs official certificates, translated into Spanish and legalised where required.

Can you apply as a foreign national?

Yes, if you are an EU national or a non-EU national with legal residence in Spain. EU nationals are treated like Spaniards. Non-EU nationals must prove legal residence in Spain for the academic year in question, for example with a residence permit or student-stay status. Stateless persons, refugees and asylum seekers are also covered, as each year's call for applications sets out.

Non-EU applicants may also have to meet a minimum period of residence. The exact period and the accepted statuses are set in each year's call, so read the current one before you plan.

Which courses count?

The course must lead to an official degree. It must be taught at a public centre or at a private centre authorised by the education authorities. These levels qualify:

• Bachillerato.
• Intermediate and higher vocational training (FP grado medio and superior), and basic FP.
• Artistic and sports teaching, and language teaching at official schools.
• University grado, official máster, and equivalent artistic and higher-education courses.
• Distance study at the UNED and similar institutions.

Non-official courses and own-title courses (títulos propios) are not covered.

What does the grant pay?

The grant is built from several parts. Which ones you get depends on your income band and your marks.

• A fixed amount linked to family income.
• A fixed amount linked to residence, if you study away from the family home.
• A basic grant (beca básica) for FP and similar post-compulsory, non-university studies.
• A tuition-fee part, which covers first-enrolment university credits.
• A variable amount based on your marks and family income.
• A fixed excellence amount at university level.

The amounts are set each year.

Income and wealth limits

Family income limits are set for each academic year. They depend on family size and come in three bands, and bigger families have higher limits. A separate wealth limit covers rental or property income, property values and capital income. Check the current tables with the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training before you decide.

If your family has income earned or taxed outside Spain, and there are no Spanish tax data, you must send official tax or income certificates from the foreign tax authority. They need an official translation into Spanish and, where required, legalisation or apostille. The amounts are converted into euros at the rate set in the call, and the same limits then apply. The documents list below shows what to prepare.

Marks you need

Your academic record matters in your first year.

• University grado: you need an access mark of at least 5 points for the basic grant components.
• Official máster: you need a minimum mark in your previous degree, and the level depends on the branch of study.
• FP or bachillerato: you need to have passed the previous level, with the marks the call requires.

The questions below cover first-year marks and what happens with private courses.

Documents you need

• Official tax or income certificate from the foreign tax authority, for each family income earned or taxed outside Spain when no Spanish tax data exist.

• Official translation into Spanish of each foreign tax or income certificate.

• Legalisation or apostille on the foreign certificates, needed where the education administration requires it.

Ask the education administration which foreign documents it accepts and whether your country needs an apostille.

Frequently asked questions

Does the beca general cover private and own-title courses?

No, the beca general only covers official, degree-leading studies, and own-title courses (títulos propios) are not covered. Private centres count only if the education authorities have authorised them. Distance study at the UNED is covered.

Which parts make up the beca general?

The beca general has fixed parts and variable parts. The fixed parts are an income-linked amount, a residence amount for studying away from the family home, and a basic grant for FP and similar studies. The variable parts are a tuition-fee amount and an amount based on your marks and family income.

How do I prove family income earned abroad?

You submit official tax or income certificates from the foreign tax authority when no Spanish tax data exist. They need an official translation into Spanish and, where required, legalisation or an apostille. The amounts are converted into euros and checked against the same thresholds as everyone else.

What marks do I need in my first year of máster, FP or bachillerato?

First-year máster students need a minimum mark in their previous degree, and it depends on the branch of study. First-year FP and bachillerato students need to have passed the previous level with the marks the call sets. The exact marks vary by level.