Scholarships
In addition to state support (BAfög), there are other ways to finance your studies: For example, with a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded by general foundations as well as party-affiliated or church foundations. These foundations generally support students who can demonstrate good to very good academic performance and are involved in extracurricular activities.
The applicant's financial situation is not a decisive selection criterion here. What counts is the applicant's performance and personality. It is therefore advisable to "prepare" for the scholarship in the first semester. This means not only cramming and getting an A in all exams, but also getting involved in a student association or non-profit organisation, for example.
Our university has been participating in the German government's national scholarship programme, known as the Deutschlandstipendium, since 2011.
Together with companies, foundations, associations and private individuals, we have the opportunity to offer particularly talented and high-achieving students on Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes a scholarship of 300.00 euros per month for at least one year. The sponsors only pay half of the scholarship, i.e. 1,800.00 euros for one year, while the other half is provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
Further information on the Deutschlandstipendium can be found here.
The German National Academic Foundation is the largest and oldest German organisation for the promotion of gifted students. The aim of the funding programme is to enable scholarship holders to pursue a comprehensive course of study. Free of political, religious and ideological guidelines, particularly gifted students who are characterised by their high performance, broad interests, tolerant personality and social responsibility are supported. While you have to be nominated for regular Studienstiftung funding, interested parties can apply for certain scholarship programmes themselves.
www.studienstiftung.de/
The Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (sdw) supports young people with a sense of community and entrepreneurial spirit. It is aimed at students and doctoral candidates in the upper third of the performance spectrum who can demonstrate a social commitment beyond their field of study. Information on how to apply and the application portal can be found here. The sdw offers its scholarship holders a comprehensive support programme, such as training in key skills, dialogue forums with companies and many opportunities for active participation in interdisciplinary scholarship teams.
Contact address
Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (sdw) gGmbH im Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft
Breite Str. 29
10178 Berlin
Phone: +49 30 278906-15 40
www.sdw.org
Email: sdwsdworg
The Cusanuswerk awards state funding to particularly talented students of Catholic denomination at academic universities and in all subject areas. Scholarship holders are expected to have a high level of academic achievement and a good capacity for reflection, which requires above-average intellectual talent. The current maximum monthly funding amount is up to €585 plus €80 book allowance. Scholarship holders are obliged to actively participate in the educational programmes offered by the Cusanuswerk. Admission to the selection procedure is based on the recommendation of a university lecturer or a representative of the university pastoral staff.
Contact address
Cusanuswerk
Bischöfliche Studienförderung
Baumschulallee 5
53115 Bonn
Tel.: +49 2 28 98 38 40
www.cusanuswerk.de
E-Mail: infocusanuswerkde
The Evangelisches Studienwerk awards scholarships to Protestant students on all degree programmes lasting more than six semesters. In conjunction with the material support, which currently amounts to a maximum of €585 per month plus €80 book allowance, the scholarship holder has access to a wide range of offers and the opportunity to actively participate in the study network. Applications are made on the student's own initiative and must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation demonstrating academic aptitude and a significant social commitment. The application deadline is 1 March and 1 September of each year.
Contact address
Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V.
Haus Villigst
Iserlohner Straße 25
58239 Schwerte
Phone: +49 23 04 75 51 96
www.evstudienwerk.de
Email: infoevstudienwerkde
With its scholarships, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung supports students with an interest in socio-political issues and good to very good grades. The scholarship includes a monthly grant of up to €585 plus €80 book money and regular participation in seminar programmes to accompany your studies. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung also offers mentoring programmes, internships and study trips. Migrants or applicants from low-income families are particularly welcome. More detailed information on the required application documents and application forms can be found at www.fes.de.
Contact address
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V.
Student Support Department
Godesberger Allee 149
53175 Bonn
Tel.: +49 22 88 830
www.fes.de
With its scholarships, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation supports students who have a strong academic background. Equally important is a liberal attitude to life and political interest. In addition to material and non-material support, the foundation offers scholarship holders extensive opportunities to become involved in various committees or speaker councils. Students are expected to graduate with good to very good grades within a reasonable period of time. A further condition for receiving support is attendance at two seminars lasting several days per year. Interested students can apply from the second semester onwards, but not shortly before the end of their studies. The application deadline is 31 May and 30 November.
Contact address
Friedrich Naumann Foundation
Karl-Marx-Straße 02
14482 Potsdam
Phone: +49 3 31 70 190
www.fnst.de
Email: fnstfnstorg
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation enables students to fully develop their above-average talents during their studies. Students should not be older than 32 years and be able to demonstrate above-average academic performance as well as a special commitment in the political, social, ecclesiastical or cultural field. The maximum amount of funding can be up to €585 plus €80 book allowance and depends on the financial situation of the parents. The necessary application forms and guidelines can be found at www.kas.de. The application deadlines are 15 January and 1 July of each year.
Contact address
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.
Institute for the Promotion of Gifted Students
Rathausallee 12
53757 St. Augustin
Phone: +49 22 41 24 60
www.kas.de
Email: zentralekasde
With its scholarship, the Hanns Seidel Foundation supports students who can demonstrate above-average academic performance and a particular socio-political commitment. The idealistic aspect of the support is linked to an obligation to participate in the organised meetings. Political information events, diverse cultural programmes and discussion rounds with public figures encourage students to critically and constructively shape the constitutional and social state within the framework of the free and democratic basic order. Applicants can complete the necessary application forms directly on the foundation's website.
Contact address
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung e. V.
- Studienförderung -
Postfach 190846
Lazarettstraße 33
80636 München
Tel.: +49 89 12 580
www.hss.de
E-Mail: infohssde
The Hans Böckler Foundation of the German Trade Union Confederation aims to provide committed people who are already working or who cannot afford to study with idealistic and material support for their studies. The foundation assesses applicants on the basis of their ability to work scientifically and methodically as well as on the basis of concrete functions they have performed in trade unions, committees, student representatives or comparable organisations. Around 100 seminars, workshops or conferences are offered each year, most of which are organised by the scholarship holders themselves. Applications can be made via a trade union or via www.boeckler.de.
Contact address
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
Hans-Böckler-Str. 39
40476 Düsseldorf
Phone: +49 2 11 77 780
www.boeckler.de
Email: zentraleboecklerde
The scholarships of the German Federal Environmental Foundation provide support for university graduates, doctoral students and postdocs with the aim of building up a competent generation of scientists under the guiding principle of sustainable development. The DBU's scholarship programme is aimed at qualified applicants from all disciplines, for example in order to be able to work on complex environmental problems in an interdisciplinary manner. It is possible to support graduates of universities of applied sciences if they have been admitted to a doctorate and have achieved above-average results. Applications can be made at www.dbu.de/stipendien. The application deadlines are 15 January and 15 June of each year.
Contact address
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt
Scholarship programme
An der Bornau 02
49090 Osnabrück
Phone: +49 5 41 96 330
www.umweltstiftung.de
Email: infodbude
Top grades are not the prerequisite for a scholarship here; what counts is commitment to others, whether in an organisation or privately. We show how it works, from the application to the selection interview, and how much more a scholarship holder receives. And we help you to find the right scholarship provider.
ArbeiterKind.de gemeinnützige GmbH
zur Förderung des Hochschulstudiums von Nicht-Akademikerkindern
Obentrautstraße 57
10963 Berlin
Phone: +49 30 6 79 72 750
https://www.arbeiterkind.de/stipendien
Email: team@arbeiterkind.de
The Heinrich Böll Foundation stands for green ideas and projects, is a reform policy workshop for the future and an international network. We work with over one hundred partner projects in around 60 countries and currently have offices in 34 countries.
The Heinrich Böll Foundation sees itself as part of the basic green political current that has developed far beyond the Federal Republic of Germany in confrontation with the traditional political tendencies of socialism, liberalism and conservatism.
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