The federal government supports talented and capable students with the Deutschlandstipendium. It wishes to reward excellence and social engagement. 

The Deutschlandstipendium supports students at German universities of all nationalities whose previous career predicts excellent study performance. In addition to outstanding success at school and/or university, social engagement also counts towards the criteria for support. The overcoming of special biographical obstacles arising from family or cultural background is also considered. 

The support amounts to 300 EUR per month and is paid directly by the university. It is awarded independently of income and can be received in addition to BAföG. The duration of support is usually two semesters. 

The application is made directly to the corresponding university. Unfortunately, not all universities participate in the Deutschlandstipendium.

English - BMBF Deutschlandstipendium

There are 13 foundations for the promotion of talented persons which award full scholarships in amounts analogous to BAföG. Additionally, there are further 300 EUR monthly for study costs. Ideal support in the form of events, seminars, training and opportunities for network building is likewise offered by the foundations for the promotion of talented persons.

Some Begabtenförderungswerke also support international students, sometimes, however, only beginning with Master’s courses.

Six Begabtenförderungswerke are party-affiliated. Four others are denominational in orientation. There are furthermore one business-affiliated, one trades union-affiliated and one independent Begabtenförderungswerk.

Information on the Begabtenförderungswerke can be found at the website of the Federal Ministry of Education: 
www.bmbf.de/de/begabtenfoerderung-in-studium-und-beruf-73.html

Foundations under public law offer very varied types of support. There is almost no limit to the variety of possibilities. It is thus difficult to give an overview, while the variety provides opportunities for individual prerequisites. In this field a lot of individual research is required.

International grants are also available from the Begabtenförderungswerke. Further grants can be found in the scholarship database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

German Academic Exchange Service - DAAD

Scholarships can be found in the database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). In case of the prospect of a long-term stay, the Begabtenförderungswerke also become a possibility. 

This scholarship supports engaged specialist workers possessing training and career experience during a first university degree.

Anyone can apply who has completed professional training and gained at least two years of career experience afterwards. Evidence of special performance and talent in training and career are likewise required.

For a full-time grant the support amounts to 934 EUR per month, plus 80 EUR book allowance. In addition, there is a care allowance for children under 14 (160 euros for each child per month). The funding is provided as a lump sum and is therefore independent of income.

Applications can be made until the end of the second semester. The application is made online at www.aufstiegsstipendium.de. 

Extra-occupational studies can be supported by a further educational grant if they build on the training or occupation.

Applicants must have completed a course of professional training, either according to the Vocational Training Act (Berufsbildungsgesetz), the Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung) or in a profession in the health sector regulated by federal law. They must be younger than 25 years old. The age limit can be increased due to national voluntary service or parental leave.

Grant money totalling 8700 EUR over three years is available, which can be used for the costs of further education - with an applicant’s own contribution of 10 percent.

The respective Chambers are responsible for advice on further education and assessment of the grant applications.

Prospective students with limited financial resources can apply for a semester-contribution-scholarship. The scholarship covers the university's enrollment fee - currently around 220 EUR. The person concerned must not yet be 45 years old at the time of application and wishes to enrol at a higher education institution for the very first time. In addition, before enrolment you must receive certain social benefits in Germany. You can apply at our social advice

Unfortunately, we are not able to finance the tuition fees of 1,500 EUR for international students.