Education Scholarships are one of the most common ways to help families with fewer resources to cope with the financial expense of purchasing books and other school expenses. Like every year around this time, the general studies scholarship, or MEC, is about to open its doors. And today we are going to explain everything you need to know to qualify for it.
As a general rule, the application period for this scholarship usually begins in March, and is open until mid-April. Once the deadline closes, all applications are studied and a fixed amount of money (with some variable supplements) is awarded to all those who meet the requirements. Since, sometimes, some additional documents may be needed, it is recommended not to leave the application to the last minute, and to do it as soon as possible once the deadline has opened.
What can be purchased with the MEC/MEFP scholarship
This general scholarship covers the expenses of both students who are in school or institute, as well as all university students who are entitled to it.
As for non-university studies, the scholarship can be requested to cover high school expenses, as well as access courses and preparation for university entrance tests. Apart from this, vocational training (basic and higher) is also included, as well as other additional studies, such as the Language School, sports, religious, artistic education, etc.
If we are university students, this includes the costs of the access course for those over 25 years of age, as well as other types of university education, both undergraduate and master’s degrees, such as, for example, studies in Defense and Civil Guard centers, as well as complementary credits to access or obtain the degree.
Requirements and amounts
Whether or not you are eligible for this scholarship depends directly on the income of the family unit. And it is distributed, into three thresholds, as follows:
- 1 member: from 9,314 to 15,567 euros
- 2 members: from 13,971 to 26,573 euros.
- 3 members: from 18,629 to 36,069 euros.
- 4 members: from 23,285 to 42,835 euros.
- 5 members: from 27,012 to 47,877 euros.
- 6 members: from 30,737 to 51,685 euros.
- 7 members: from 34,463 to 55,450 euros.
- 8 members: from 38,189 to 59,199 euros.
Apart from income, there are no other requirements other than having Spanish nationality and residing in the country, which is normal for any aid of this type.
As for the money we can get, it depends on many factors. In the case of university studies, the scholarship usually includes tuition and credits for the subjects in which we enroll for the first time. Apart from that, there are other amounts, such as:
- Basic: 300 euros (or 350 in case of FP).
- For family income: 1700 euros.
- For change of residence during the school year: 2,500 euros.
- For academic excellence: between 50 and 125 euros.
And there is also a variable amount. This takes what is left over from the general budget and distributes it among everyone using a mathematical formula that allows a weighted distribution, that is, taking into account the average grade of the file and the family’s per capita income.
How to apply for the scholarship online
To make the request, what we have to do is enter the Electronic Headquarters of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, which is available in this link. If we have already made the request in other years, or any other procedure, we will have a username and password. We enter them and we will be inside.
If we do not yet have this information, we can register as new users by filling out the information requested by the assistant. And, once inside, we can proceed with the request. They will consult most of the data directly, so we do not have to provide any type of documentation, unless they specifically ask us to.
