Who is eligible for a scholarship in the Canton of Zurich?

The scholarships are intended for students in recognised education (compulsory, secondary, university, professional) with regular academic merit and limited economic capacity. The economic assessment is based on the family income declared to the tax authorities, compared with cantonal thresholds. Students with significant delays in the course of study are excluded.

What is the difference between a scholarship and a study loan?

The scholarship is a non-refundable contribution, awarded based on the academic merit and financial need of the family. The loan is instead repayable, usually after completion of training, and provides additional liquidity to cover living costs during studies. The cantons offer both instruments, allowing students to combine them according to their needs.

What happens if I move to the Canton of Zurich from another canton?

You must submit a new application to the Zurich office according to the specific criteria of that canton. Administrations do not automatically recognise grants obtained elsewhere, as each canton manages its own budget. It is advisable to contact the competent office as soon as possible after the transfer of residence.

What documents do I need to apply?

Please provide the previous year's school or college certificate, the family income statement, and the completed and signed application form. The form is available at the cantonal office or online. Some cantonal administrations now accept digital applications through online portals, while others still maintain paper procedures: verified at the Canton of Zurich.

When to apply for a scholarship in the Canton of Zurich?

Submission deadlines vary from year to year, but are generally concentrated between February and March for the following academic year. It is essential to check the official calendar at the competent cantonal office or consult the Canton of Zurich web portal at the beginning of each academic year. Applications submitted after the set deadline are usually not accepted.

Canton Zurich Scholarships: Requirements and Amounts (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 21 August 2026

Students walk between classical university buildings on a Swiss campus in natural daylight.

Access methods, required economic capacity and presentation times: everything you need to know about the scholarship system in the Canton of Zurich.

Context

In a nutshell

Scholarships in Switzerland are managed by the cantons, not the federal state
Requirements and amounts vary according to the canton and the student's economic situation
In the canton of Zurich, the competent cantonal office handles claims and payments
Submission deadlines are generally spring, to be checked annually

Key facts

What: Scholarships and study loans for deserving students with limited financial resources
Who: Cantonal offices (cantonal management, not federal)
Where: Cantonal administrations, such as the Canton of Zurich
When: Variable annual deadlines per canton
Source: Cantonal Social Affairs Commissions or Offices

Scholarships are a fundamental tool to guarantee access to education in Switzerland, regardless of the economic conditions of the family. Unlike federal taxation, managed by the Federal Administration of Customs (AFC), or social security, coordinated by the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS), funding for studies is a cantonal matter: each canton defines its own criteria, grant ceilings and application procedures.

In the Canton of Zurich, as in the other Swiss cantons, scholarships and study loans are administered by a dedicated cantonal office. This means that a student residing in the Canton of Zurich has access to a system distinct from that of other cantons, even if the

Operational details

Who is eligible for scholarships in the Canton of Zurich?

Recommended tools

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Key points

How to present a request in the Canton of Zurich

The procedure for requesting a scholarship in the Canton of Zurich follows a standardized process at the competent cantonal office. Students must submit an application, as a rule, during defined periods every year, generally concentrated between February and March for the following school year, but the exact deadlines vary from year to year and must be checked directly with the cantonal administration.

To initiate the procedure, the following basic documents are required: (1) a copy of the previous year's school or university certificate, (2) a tax return declaration or a certificate of family income, (3) a completed and signed application form, available at the office itself or on the cantonal portal. Some cantons now accept digital requests, while others still maintain paper procedures: the Canton of Zurich specifies this in its internal regulations.

Where to find up-to-date and specific information

Since the maximum amounts, economic evaluation criteria, and deadlines change annually based on cantonal budgets, it is essential to consult the Canton of Zurich's website directly or contact the competent cantonal office (usually the social affairs, culture, or education office of the canton). The information published by the cantonal administrations is updated at the beginning of each academic year.

Students from border regions or with special housing situations (e.g., those residing in Switzerland but working abroad, or vice versa) can check if they meet the canton's residency requirements: generally, it is necessary to reside in the canton for at least one or two years to access cantonal welfare services, including scholarships, but this varies from canton to canton.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for a scholarship in the Canton of Zurich?: The scholarships are intended for students in recognised education (compulsory, secondary, university, professional) with regular academic merit and limited economic capacity. The economic assessment is based on the family income declared to the tax authorities, compared with cantonal thresholds. Students with significant delays in the course of study are excluded.
What is the difference between a scholarship and a study loan?: The scholarship is a non-refundable contribution, awarded based on the academic merit and financial need of the family. The loan is instead repayable, usually after completion of training, and provides additional liquidity to cover living costs during studies. The cantons offer both instruments, allowing students to combine them according to their needs.
What happens if I move to the Canton of Zurich from another canton?: You must submit a new application to the Zurich office according to the specific criteria of that canton. Administrations do not automatically recognise grants obtained elsewhere, as each canton manages its own budget. It is advisable to contact the competent office as soon as possible after the transfer of residence.
What documents do I need to apply?: Please provide the previous year's school or college certificate, the family income statement, and the completed and signed application form. The form is available at the cantonal office or online. Some cantonal administrations now accept digital applications through online portals, while others still maintain paper procedures: verified at the Canton of Zurich.
When to apply for a scholarship in the Canton of Zurich?: Submission deadlines vary from year to year, but are generally concentrated between February and March for the following academic year. It is essential to check the official calendar at the competent cantonal office or consult the Canton of Zurich web portal at the beginning of each academic year. Applications submitted after the set deadline are usually not accepted.