The Municipality of Esposende awarded 35 Study Scholarships to higher education students, in a municipal investment of 26,250 euros. Each scholarship is worth 750 euros, representing an increase of 150 euros compared to the previous edition. The measure is part of the municipality's social action policy and aims to guarantee equal access to higher education for students in economic difficulties.
37 applications were received, all eligible, of which 35 students completed the civic service component required by the regulation. The program, created in 2004, has been growing: in the first year it supported 25 young people with an investment of 18,750 euros. The scholars are between 19 and 23 years old, mostly women, and attend mostly undergraduate programs at the University of Minho, University of Coimbra and the Polytechnic Institute of Porto.
The scholarship requires students to collaborate in municipal services for 154 hours, distributed over 22 working days. The Cultural area was the most sought after, followed by the Administrative and Social areas. This experience allows students to learn about the municipality's functioning, acquire skills in a real work context and get closer to local dynamics.
The municipality plans to update the regulation, following the evolution of higher education and the integration of CTeSP, to ensure that the support remains adjusted to the current needs of students.
