How ApplyAZ Gets Paid (and Why It Matters)
ApplyAZ is paid only by students, never by universities: here is what you pay for, when you pay and how refunds work.
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ApplyAZ is paid only by the students it helps. No university pays us, public or private. This page explains who pays whom in the study abroad industry, what you pay ApplyAZ for and why it matters.
In short
- ApplyAZ takes no commission from any university and is paid only by the student.
- The eligibility check is free, and we only take on eligible students.
- The consultation price depends on your country and is shown before you book.
- The full service is quoted after the consultation and paid in milestones tied to delivered work.
- Refunds are matched to the work actually delivered.
The first step costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Check your eligibility before you think about fees.
Who pays study abroad agents?
Most study abroad agents are paid by private universities for each student they send. In that model, the agent's income depends on where the student enrols. ApplyAZ works the other way round. We work only with Italian public universities, take no commission from any of them and are paid only by the student.
| Model | Who pays the adviser | What it can mean for your advice |
|---|---|---|
| Commission-funded agent | Private universities, for each student sent | Advice can lean towards universities that pay a commission |
| Student-paid adviser, such as ApplyAZ | The student only | Advice is not tied to where you enrol |
| Applying alone | Nobody | You do every step yourself, working from official sources |
Source: ApplyAZ's own fee policy, as described on this page and in the ApplyAZ Code of Practice. Verified on 25 September 2026.
Why does it matter who pays the adviser?
It matters because an adviser's income can shape their advice. An adviser paid per student by a private university has a reason to recommend that university, whether or not it suits you. An adviser paid only by the student has no reason to prefer one university over another, so the shortlist can follow your profile.
That is also why we work only with public universities. They are where zero euro tuition for eligible students is possible, depending on family income and each region's rules. Our guide on how to choose a study in Italy consultant shows how to test any adviser on this point.
What does the student pay ApplyAZ for?
You pay for specialist work on your own file, from the first consultation to the visa file. The consultation gives you a clear verdict and, afterwards, your personalised Italy Roadmap with every step and when to do it. If you proceed, the full service covers the shortlist, documents, applications, scholarship and visa work.
In detail, the full service includes:
- a shortlist of about 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at public universities
- your CV and a tailored statement of purpose
- your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment
- your DSU scholarship application
- your visa file
- a named person responsible for each stage
We operate across every Italian region, because each region sets its own rules and deadlines. That matters most for the DSU scholarship, where the rules differ from one region to the next. See how it works for the full sequence.
How do milestone payments work?
ApplyAZ fees are paid in milestones, and each milestone is tied to work delivered. You do not pay for the whole service upfront. You pay as each stage is delivered, so your payments follow the progress of your file rather than running ahead of it.
Your specialist explains the milestones for your file when you receive the quote after the consultation. Ask about anything that is unclear before you commit.
Why doesn't ApplyAZ publish a single price?
There is no single public price because the cost genuinely differs. The consultation price varies by country and is shown to you before you book. The full service is quoted after the consultation, once a specialist knows your file. Quoting at that point means the price reflects the work your file actually needs.
What is free at ApplyAZ?
The eligibility check at go.applyaz.com is free, and every student starts there. It tells you whether you are eligible for Italian public universities before you pay anything. If you are not eligible, we do not take you on or collect your phone number or email.
Our guides on this site are free too, including this one and the ApplyAZ Code of Practice.
Check your eligibility before you pay anyone for anything.
When is applying alone or through a free route the better choice?
Applying alone can be the better choice when your case is simple and you have the time to manage it. That might mean one or two programmes, clear documents and a region whose scholarship rules you already understand. If your consultation shows this, your specialist will tell you, because honest verdicts are part of our code.
A free route, such as working directly from each university's admission pages and your region's DSU call, can also make sense. What you save in fees, you pay in time. You also carry the risk of missing a region's rules or deadlines yourself.
How do refunds work at ApplyAZ?
Refunds at ApplyAZ are matched to the work actually delivered. Because fees are paid in milestones, what you have paid follows the progress of your file. If you stop part way through, the refund reflects the work already completed and the work not yet done.
This keeps refunds simple to understand: you pay for work done, not for work that was never delivered. Ask your specialist to explain how refunds apply to your quote before you commit.
The first step is free. Check your eligibility, and decide about a consultation afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Is ApplyAZ paid by universities?
No. ApplyAZ works only with Italian public universities, takes no commission from any of them and is paid only by the student. Most study abroad agents are paid by private universities for each student they send, so their income depends on where you enrol. Our income does not, so our advice is not tied to where you enrol.
How much does an ApplyAZ consultation cost?
The consultation price differs by country, so there is no single figure to publish. You see the exact price for your country before you book. The consultation is offered to students who pass the free eligibility check, and parents or friends can join. Your personalised Italy Roadmap follows the consultation.
Is the ApplyAZ eligibility check free?
Yes. The eligibility check at go.applyaz.com is free, and every student starts there. It tells you, before you pay anything, whether you are eligible for Italian public universities. If you are not eligible, ApplyAZ does not take you on or collect your phone number or email.
Do I pay the full ApplyAZ fee upfront?
No. ApplyAZ fees are paid in milestones, and each milestone is tied to work delivered. The full service is quoted after your consultation, once a specialist knows your file, and your specialist explains the milestones then. Your payments follow the progress of your file rather than arriving in one lump sum at the start.
Can I get a refund if I stop?
Refunds are matched to the work actually delivered. Because fees are paid in milestones tied to delivered work, what you have paid follows the progress of your file. If you stop part way through, the refund reflects the work already completed and the work not yet done. Ask your specialist how this applies to your quote.
Why pay an adviser instead of using a commission-funded agent?
A commission-funded agent is paid by private universities for each student they send, so their income depends on where you enrol. When you pay the adviser yourself, the advice works for you alone. ApplyAZ is paid only by the student and works only with Italian public universities. There, zero euro tuition for eligible students depends on family income and regional rules.
When should I apply without ApplyAZ?
Apply alone when your case is simple and you have time to manage it. For example, you may have one or two programmes, clear documents and a region whose scholarship rules you already understand. If your consultation shows this, your specialist will say so, because honest verdicts are part of our code of practice.
What does the ApplyAZ fee cover?
The full service starts with a shortlist of about 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at public universities. It then covers your CV, a tailored statement of purpose, applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, your DSU scholarship application and your visa file. A named person handles each stage, and we work across every Italian region because each region sets its own rules and deadlines.
Where they're studying now
Students who started exactly where you are
English-taught programmes, zero euro tuition for eligible students, and the DSU grant landing in their account every year. The funding mechanics are identical at every Italian public university: the same ISEE Parificato, the same regional bando, the same ranking. Only the authority and the dates change.
They began right where you are
