The Community of Madrid has published the list of more than 17,400 recipients of Bachilleratogrants for the 2026/27 school year in the Boletín Oficial de la Comunidad de Madrid (BOCM). According to the government, 43.5 million euros are available. The announcement marks the conclusion of the award process for pupils at private or state-subsidised private schools (concertados) in the region.
The minister responsible, Mercedes Zarzalejo explained during a visit to Colegio San Gabriel in Madrid’s Carabanchel, that the grants were intended to safeguard families’ freedom of choice and equal opportunities. The regional government also confirmed that, as in the previous year, the criteria take account of final grades: applicants could receive up to two additional points, depending on their marks in the last school year completed by the deadline.
Eligible pupils are those enrolled, or with a place reserved, for Bachillerato at a private or state-subsidised private school, who are not repeating the year and who meet the specified income thresholds. Grant rates are tiered according to per-capita income. Families with per-capita income of up to 10,000 euros receive annual assistance of 3,750 euros; for income between 10,000 and 35,913 euros, the grant is 2,000 euros. If the approved amount exceeds the actual school fees, payments are limited to the annual cost.
Pupils who received support this year may apply for an extension, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements and have explicitly requested an extension. With publication in the BOCM, families can now check their allocations during the school year; formal notification provides legal certainty for schools and applicants.
In the political debate, state grants for places at schools outside the public system are viewed differently. Critics point to possible distributional effects that could disadvantage the public school network and question the income thresholds and the role of academic performance. The regional government counters that combining income-based tiers with performance-related criteria promotes both equal access and educational quality.
The regional administration provides full information on eligibility, deadlines and amounts through its official channels; the list of recipients published today forms the basis for payments in the 2026/27 school year.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).