Scholarships are a source of financial support for your studies that you do not have to pay back, unlike BAföG funding. In addition to financial aid, scholarships usually also provide inspirational support, enabling you to take part in activities such as conferences, workshops, seminars, and other events.
A strong commitment to political and social issues is usually an important criterion for the award of a scholarship, along with excellent academic performance and a particular talent or aptitude for the chosen subject. This means it is no longer only gifted secondary school pupils who are supported with scholarships from the state, foundations, and the business community. It is always worthwhile checking exactly what the conditions are for the award of a scholarship. You should also ensure you ask your higher education institution directly whether they offer scholarships of their own.
Stipendienlotse (Scholarship Guide) is an interactive database with comprehensive information about current scholarship programmes, maintained by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF).
The Deutschlandstipendium is a scholarship of 300 euros per month awarded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research to talented and high performing students, irrespective of their income.
Stipendium Plus incorporates scholarships awarded by 12 organisations that promote talented young people, and which are funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The Aufstiegsstipendium (Upgrading Scholarship), awarded by the Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (Vocational Training Foundation for the Highly Talented), provides financial support to skilled workers to enrol in higher education courses for the first time.
The Weiterbildungsstipendium (Continuing Education Scholarship), awarded by the Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (Vocational Training Foundation for the Highly Talented), supports individuals in studying alongside their jobs, providing they meet certain conditions.
The scholarship database maintained by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, DAAD) provides information about various types of funding for international students.
