Supplementary exchange grant

Publics:  unige hesge

The supplementary exchange grant supports students at UNIGE or HES-SO Geneva who wish to study at a university outside French-speaking Switzerland or abroad.

It covers part of the costs associated with the stay (e.g. accommodation, transport). The grant is available for a maximum of 10 months.

It can be combined with mobility grants from European Student Mobility (SEMP) or Swiss exchange scholarship for a maximum of 10 months.

Important:

  • If you are not participating in a mobility program in Switzerland: the language of instruction must not be your native language.
  • During a stay abroad, you will not receive any monthly grants.
What should you do before applying for supplementary exchange grant?

Before applying for supplementary exchange grant, you must have your mobility project approved by:

Who can apply for supplementary exchange grant?

To apply for supplementary exchange grant, you must:

  • be enrolled at UNIGE or HES-SO Geneva and have paid your tuition fees up to the semester preceding your application,
  • be in your first Bachelor's or Master's program, with a coherent academic background,
  • have completed at least one year of study at a recognized higher education institution in Switzerland in the same program,
  • have obtained the required credits in the previous year, in accordance with the rules of your program. We may request a certificate from your academic advisor,
  • have worked for at least 4 months between the year preceding the application and the departure date,
  • have a budget for expenses while abroad provided by the host institution.

You can consult the conditions for granting aid in the directive on additional mobility assistance.

How do I apply for supplementary exchange grant?
  • Complete the online form,
  • Attach the required documents,
  • Submit your application.

Important: if you have already applied for financial assistance for the same academic year, the form may no longer be accessible. In this case, please write to us at: aides-financieres(at)unige.ch.

When should you apply for supplementary exchange grant?

You must send us your request at least one month before your departure.

In exceptional cases, we may consider requests received after the deadline.

Documents to provide for an application for supplementary exchange grant

To apply, you must provide certain documents:

  • a letter explaining your financial situation and why you are applying,
  • a copy of your identity document or residence permit,
  • the IBAN number of your personal bank account (if you are in the process of opening an account, please let us know),
  • your latest transcript,
  • your certificate of enrollment at UNIGE or HES-SO Geneva,
  • a certificate from the Academic Exchange Office,
  • a plan from your academic advisor detailing what you will study during your exchange program,
  • the agreement of the host institution,
  • a document from the host institution providing information on the expenses you will incur,
  • a financial support statement from your parents or a guarantor,
  • your latest tax notice (impôts):
    • if you are under 25 or financially dependent on your parents/guarantors: their tax notice,
  • income not included on the tax notice (e.g., donations, grants from other organizations, undeclared wages).

You can consult the list of documents to be provided for additional mobility assistance in the directive on additional mobility assistance (page 5).

Important:

  • We may ask you for additional documents to assess your situation.
  • Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will receive a grant.

Other exchange scholarships

Other resources