Scholarships
for international students
International Office of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
Several types of scholarships provide a good and welcoming opportunity to finance
your studies in Germany. Scholarship foundations have diverse objectives and profiles and appli-
cants must be able to demonstrate particular characteristics and skills. Above-average grades and social
commitment are mostly expected from applicants. However this is not the case for all scholarship providers. Please inform yourself about the application requirements thoroughly, so that your application is not
wasted effort. Usually applications take time and effort, but it can be worth it.
In the following, only scholarships from German sponsors are listed. These scholarships are awarded to
international students at German universities. You should still learn more about the funding organizations
from your country of origin.
More general information about scholarships in Germany can be found here: http://www.dw.de/studienfinanzierung/a-6148908
1. Scholarship databases: Which scholarship is right for me?
These databases provide the opportunity to search for specific scholarships, for example, only for certain
fields of study or countries of origin! Start your search here for scholarships that match your profile.
To find a good overview of various funding organizations and all DAAD scholarships (see text below),
please visit the scholarship database of the DAAD:
www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/de/21148-stipendiendatenbank/
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung) also has
an extensive database: www.stipendienlotse.de/
2. Scholarships for international students in Germany
2.1. German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world‘s largest funding agency for the international exchange of students and researchers. German and foreign students are awarded and considered
for various scholarship programs. To find the right DAAD scholarship, you can search in the scholarship
database or simply click on the following link: https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/de/
There are two major DAAD program fields for international students::
A. Scholarships for international students who want to come to Germany
• Specifically for graduates who have already completed their studies
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• Funding for master/postgraduate courses and doctorates in Germany. There are special programs
for a few target groups (e.g. graduates of DSD schools abroad). An application for an undergraduate degree is also possible
• Some countries are excluded from the DAAD scholarships, for example, if the country has an
equivalent scholarship program (e.g. government grants)
• You can apply before coming to Germany and prior to your enrollment or at least 15 months after
your arrival (Important: The DAAD application deadline is decisive; it must not exceed 15 months
after your arrival in Germany)
International Office of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
B. Scholarships for foreign students who are full-time students in Germany and wish to go
abroad
• Effective from 2015 on, for all students, who will complete their entire studies at a German university
and graduate regardless of their nationality (initially limited to a trial period of one year)
• The respective home country is excluded (justified exceptions are possible)
• Funding of semesters abroad, research stays and internships
2.2. Deutschlandstipendium (www.deutschland-stipendium.de)
The Deutschlandstipendium supports and promotes students of all nationalities at German universities
who have a background of outstanding academic achievements. It is possible to receive a scholarship
from the first semester on. To obtain the Deutschlandstipendium certain requirements must be fulfilled.
Please note that the selection process is determined by each university individually.
Eligibility criteria: The criteria include not only academic achievements at school/university, but also
social commitments, for example, in associations or student unions, in ecclesiastical or political organizations, likewise the commitment to a social environment, among family or in social institutions. Special
biographical hurdles that arise from family background or cultural origin are also taken into consideration.
The precise details for the selection process are up to the universities.
Funding amount: € 300 per month, independent of the student´s or their parent´s income.
For information about the Deutschlandstipendium and applications at Goethe University, please contact the
Student Counseling Centre (Studien-Service-Center - SSC): www.deutschland-stipendium.uni-frankfurt.de
Selection process in two stages: In the first stage the awarded grades of the student are considered;
after high school, the Abitur grade or some other form of higher education entrance qualification will be
evaluated, in the higher education phase (applying to all study fields) a specially achieved average grade,
as well as examination grades are considered. For the master phase it is the bachelor’s degree grade
that counts. In the second selection stage community involvement, personal and social skills and specific
personal characteristics are evaluated.
Contact: Dr. Beate Firla, project management Deutschlandstipendium; Email: ssc-ds@uni-frankfurt.de
2.3. Promoting young talents (www.stipendiumplus.de)
In Germany there are a total of 13 Begabtenförderungswerke (talent programs) that have come together under
the name of Stipendium Plus to support students and young researchers with outstanding talents. The scholarships sponsors have a variety of religious, political and social orientations and therefore different conditions
for the granting of scholarships. These are either full scholarships or partial scholarships. Sometimes even an
additional book allowance is paid. Additionally, ideological support such as cost-free participation in seminars
and courses is provided.
2.3.1. Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (www.studienstiftung.de)
The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German National Academic Foundation) is the oldest and
largest foundation in the Federal Republic of Germany. According to its statutes, it supports and promotes
„the higher education for young people whose academic or artistic talent, as well as their social personality
are beneficial to society”. The selection and promotion of scholarship holders is independent of political,
ideological and religious requirements.
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International Office of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
Students may be recommended by teachers or apply themselves. The aid offers all scholarship holders
networking, exchanges, consultancy and a broad educational program. All scholarship holders will also
receive financial support in the form of a monthly study fee and may also apply for a basic scholarship.
For international projects, the foundation provides additional funding.
Students from EU member states are eligible as long as they study and seek a degree in Germany. Other
foreign students are eligible if they have acquired the German university entrance qualification and hold
permanent residency in Germany (Bildungsinländer).
2.3.2. Political Foundations
„Political Foundations“ are closely related to each one of the major political parties in Germany and are
looking for students who share their ideas and values and are committed to these.
For more information about party-affiliated foundations, please visit: http://www.dw.de/studienfinanzierung-die-politischen-stiftungen/a-6000110
International students from EU countries or students who apply according to §8 BAföG as Bildungsinländer (http://www.bafög.de/de/-8-staatsangehoerigkeit-224.php), can mostly follow the same application
path as German students. For other international students (non-EU), there are some selected programs,
though some foundations exclude international students (non-EU) entirely.
Friedrich Ebert Foundation:
• Target group: International students (different programs for EU / §8 or non-EU); Studies in Germany must already have started
• Requirements: excellent grades + socio-political commitment
• German language skills required
• Political orientation: social democratic
• Information: http://www.fes.de/studienfoerderung
Friedrich Naumann Foundation:
• Target group: international students (different programs for EU / §8 or non-EU); non-EU students: funding for master‘s degree program
• Requirements: excellent grades + socio-political commitment
• Political orientation: liberal
• Information: www.freiheit.org
Heinrich Böll Foundation:
• Target group: all international students, sponsorship for master‘s degree programs only
• Requirements: excellent grades + socio-political commitment
• Very good knowledge of German is required
• Political orientation: green, environmental, social
• Information: http://www.boell.de/de/stipendien
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Konrad Adenauer Foundation:
• Target group: international students (different programs for EU / §8 or non-EU), non-EU students: sponsorship for master‘s degree program only
• Requirements: excellent grades + socio-political commitment
• German language skills required
• Political orientation: Christian democrats
• Information: http://www.kas.de/wf/de/42.37/
International Office of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
Rosa Luxembourg Foundation:
• Target group: international students (different programs for EU / §8 or non-EU), non-EU students: sponsorship for master‘s degree program only or after completion of the basic studies
• Requirements: excellent grades + socio-political commitment
• Very good knowledge of German is required
• Political orientation: democratic socialism
• Information: http://www.rosalux.de/studienwerk/stipendienprogramm.html
Hanns Seidel Foundation:
• Target group: EU citizens and Bildungsinländer (§8 BAföG)
• Requirements: excellent grades + socio-political commitment
• Political orientation: Christian-social
• Information: http://www.hss.de/stipendium.html
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung (Confederation of German Trade Unions):
• Target group: EU citizens and Bildungsinländer after §8 BAföG, educationally disadvantaged
groups
• Requirements: trade union and socio-political commitment
• Political orientation: labor union-friendly
• Information: http://www.boeckler.de/97.htm
2.3.3. Sectarian scholarships
To apply for these scholarships you should usually be a member of the corresponding religion. Regardless
of your religious affiliation, you can still apply (does not apply to eles- Studienwerk). In this case your
motives for receiving a scholarship need to be explained.
Target groups: religious students from EU countries and Bildungsinländer according to §8 BAföG
(http://www.bafög.de/de/-8-staatsangehoerigkeit-224.php)
Avicenna-Studienwerk (Muslim): www.avicenna-studienwerk.de
Cusanuswerk (Catholic): https://www.cusanuswerk.de
Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst (Protestant): http://www.evstudienwerk.de/
Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (Jewish ): http://www.eles-studienwerk.de/
2.3.4. Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (Foundation of the German Economy)– Klaus Murmann
This foundation is named after its founder, the entrepreneur and former employer president Klaus Murmann. It awards scholarships to students and doctoral candidates with public spirit and entrepreneurship.
When selecting the applicants their performance, commitment and development potential are crucial.
They should have the will and the ability to shape future society in a responsible and committed way.
Target group: EU citizens and Bildungsinländer according to §8 BAföG
Information: http://www.sdw.org/studierende-promovierende
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International Office of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
2.4. Scholarships for special target groups
Otto Benecke Foundation: Guarantee Fund College:
• Target groups: immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, Jewish migrants, and repatriates
• Special foundation, committed to the field of integration, migration and minorities
• Applications must be submitted before the age of 30
• Information: http://www.obs-ev.de/ and http://www.obs-hsp.de/
• In addition to the support of studies, the Studienkolleg, language courses (from B2) as well as
special preparation courses for studying (e.g. TestDaF, TestAS) are also provided
Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD): Scholarship Program 2:
• Target group: international students, particularly from developing and emerging countries
• Direct applications are not possible; a recommendation by the Catholic Student Communities
(KHG) or (KSG) is required
• Requirements: Catholic religious affiliation or motivation for interreligious dialogue
• Good knowledge of German is required
• Information: http://kaad.de/stipendien/stipendienprogramm-2/
3. Goethe University graduation scholarships
The Goethe University offers a graduation scholarship for current undergraduate courses. All foreign students of all disciplines who are currently studying at Goethe University can apply.
This requires the registration to a final examination and commitment to a bachelor, Magister or Staatsexamen thesis, or the execution of the written or oral test sections or in the case of medical studies to
prepare for the second section of the medical examination.
Scholarships are not awarded for master’s degree courses, to doctoral candidates (see text below)
or for a second degree. Even students who were basically entitled to BAföG are not granted a scholarship, regardless of whether they have actually received BAföG or not.
For more information: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/38294771/abschlstip;
Contact: Barbara Budzisz (b.budzisz@em.uni-frankfurt.de)
For international doctoral students (foreign students) at GU, GRADE offers few graduation grants and
allowances each year.
For more information: www.uni-frankfurt.de/49435677/2014-GRADE-Abschluss-Stipendien-fuer-auslaendische-Promovierende-Deutsch.pdf;
Contact: Stefan Christ (christ@grade.uni-frankfurt.de)
4. Tips for scholarship application
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Read the requirements before applying for a scholarship very carefully to determine whether you are
an eligible candidate. This way you will not lose time with an unnecessary application. To find matching
scholarships that you are eligible for, use the databases offered above.
If a letter of motivation is required, make sure to take enough time writing it. You should adapt the letter to
the scholarship provider. Learn more about the ideal values and promoting principles of the foundation so
you can emphasize your suitability for the respective scholarship.
International Office of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
Ask a native speaker to proofread your documents. There should be no spelling mistakes in your application.
Make sure that the required documents are complete (bring important documents to Germany, such as
certificates along with a certified copy). You should submit the documents exactly as specified by the
scholarship provider. A complete and correct application is another important factor.
Submit your application on time. Many scholarships have certain deadlines annually, applications past
these deadlines are not accepted.
For more tips on scholarship applications, please visit:
My Scholarship:
http://www.mystipendium.de/studienfinanzierung/tipps-stipendien
Süddeutsche Zeitung: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/thema/Stipendium_Bewerbung
Studis-Online: http://www.studis-online.de/StudInfo/Studienfinanzierung/stipendien-bewerbung.php
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- We don’t assume liability for the information supplied! Publisher: International Office, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main,
Campus Westend, PEG-Gebäude Postfach 3,
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60629 Frankfurt am Main
international@uni-frankfurt.de, 069/798-3838.
[May 2015]