Considering that the higher education admission lists for the 1st phase will be published soon, the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture, reiterates that the Resolution of the Council of the Government no. 54/2019 of April 8 establishing the Merit Award for Higher Education Admission is already in force.
 
This is an individual cash prize amounting to 500 Euros intended to support the entry of regional students into higher education, excluding distance higher education learning programmes.
 
Students applying for this award are required to have been permanently residing in the Region for, at least, three years and that they have completed a secondary school course in a regional school establishment during the same period of time. Additionally, they are also required to have never been enrolled in a higher education institution.
 
Students or their guardians must submit their application to the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture at the email [email protected] . The form should be accompanied by the ENES document certifying that the student has taken the exams deemed necessary for admission to the degree he/she is applying with the minimum required grade as well as a document containing the International Bank account Identification (IBAN).
 
The form is available at the schools where students have been enrolled or at the Education Portal.
 
Applications must be submitted within 10 working days following the publication of the final results of applicants' admission to higher education in each phase. They will be then assessed by the Regional Directorate for Education, with the final decision being made by the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture.
 
This decision will be published in the Official Journal and made public on the Portal of the Regional Government.
 
In the event of missing documents, applications will not be rejected. Applicants will be contacted to provide the missing documentation within five working days following contact.
 
The Merit Award for Higher Education Admission falls within a series of strategies or incentives intended to guide regional students as well as to encourage them to adopt an attitude of trust and appreciation of school and educational success.
 
Under the auspices of the continuous improvement of secondary education completion rates with a view to increase the entry into higher education, the Regional Government aims to continue supporting and involving families in their children's educational path and school life.