Luisa de Medrano Scholarships 2026: new compatibility rule that may reduce your aid

Key data

University students participating in the "Luisa de Medrano" mobility program and who are simultaneously beneficiaries of the general scholarship from the Ministry of Education should review their situation immediately. The Order CNU/1193/2026, published on November 9, 2026, modifies the regulatory bases of the program to clarify exactly how both public aid are compatible, avoiding double financing of the same concept.

The change does not affect all Luisa de Medrano scholarship recipients equally: it only has economic consequences for those who, in addition to this mobility aid, receive the residence component of the general MEC scholarship. For the rest, compatibility remains full and without deductions.

What does this regulation establish?

Order CNU/1193/2026 modifies the regulatory bases approved by Order CNU/880/2026, of August 17, which regulate the "Luisa de Medrano" university mobility program. The modification introduces a compatibility rule with other public aid that is articulated in two scenarios:

The stated objective of the regulation is to avoid double public financing of the same concept —the cost of residence during mobility— and to ensure efficient use of public resources. The regulation does not generate additional administrative burdens nor does it imply an increase in public spending.

Economic and operational impact

The economic impact is direct on the wallet of the student who finds themselves in the situation of double receipt. The specific amount of the deduction depends on the amount of the residence component set by the general scholarships call from the Ministry of Education for the corresponding academic year, information that is not specified in this order but can be consulted in the current MEC scholarships call.

From an operational perspective, the most relevant novelty is the possibility of partial reimbursement: if a student has already received the full Luisa de Medrano aid and also the residence component of the general MEC scholarship, the administration may claim the return of the overlapping amount. This makes reviewing your personal situation an urgent action.

For universities and scholarship managers, the regulation does not generate new formal obligations, but it does imply verifying the files of beneficiaries who accumulate both aids to correctly apply the reduction or, if applicable, initiate the reimbursement procedure.

Who does it affect?

• University students beneficiaries of the "Luisa de Medrano" mobility program who also receive the residence component of the general scholarship from the Ministry of Education.
• Scholarship and academic management services at universities that process or manage Luisa de Medrano aid.
• University advisors and counselors who accompany students in the application and management of study aid.
• Families and guardians of university students who combine multiple sources of public financing to cover mobility costs.

It does not affect students who only receive the Luisa de Medrano scholarship without a general MEC scholarship, nor those who have the general MEC scholarship but without the residence component activated.

Practical example

Imagine a university student who has been selected for the "Luisa de Medrano" mobility program and who is also a beneficiary of the general scholarship from the Ministry of Education, including the residence component.

• Receives the Luisa de Medrano aid: amount X (according to the call).
• Receives the residence component of the general MEC scholarship: amount Y.
• Result after the new regulation: the Luisa de Medrano aid that the student actually receives is reduced by amount Y. The student does not lose the general MEC scholarship, but the Luisa de Medrano is reduced to prevent the same concept —the cost of residence— from being financed twice with public money.
• If they have already received both in full: they must return amount Y to the competent administration through the partial reimbursement procedure.

The practical key is clear: before accepting or managing both aids simultaneously, verify whether your general MEC scholarship includes the residence component. If so, the Luisa de Medrano will be reduced by that exact amount.

What should students do now?

1. Review your scholarship situation: check if you are a simultaneous beneficiary of the Luisa de Medrano scholarship and the general MEC scholarship with residence component activated.
2. Calculate the possible deduction: if you have both aids, identify the exact amount of the residence component of your MEC scholarship, as that will be the amount deducted from the Luisa de Medrano.
3. Verify if you have already received both: if you received both full amounts before November 10, 2026, prepare yourself for a possible partial reimbursement. Contact your university's scholarship service to learn about the procedure.
4. Consult with your university's scholarship service: request written confirmation of how the reduction will be applied to your specific file and the timeline.
5. Keep all documentation: save receipts of receipt of both aids and any communication with the administration, especially if a reimbursement procedure is initiated.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-23511