Financial Aid and Scholarships in Germany

DAAD Scholarship Program

The DAAD offers scholarships for international students at all academic levels, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel. Fully-funded scholarships include monthly stipends (€934 for graduates, €1,200 for doctoral students) and travel allowances, with eligibility based on academic achievements, language proficiency, and relevant experience. You can apply for up to three courses. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree, have at least two years of professional experience, and demonstrate development-related motivation and a commitment to social responsibility.

Erasmus Scholarship

Supported by funds from the European Commission, the Erasmus Scholarship program in Germany is the most prominent scholarship program in the EU. Students can receive an average monthly payment of up to €350 through this program. Germany offers financial assistance through Erasmus scholarships to foreign students studying in EU member states.

Applicants are required to have obtained a bachelor's degree from their home countries. Those who can complete their undergraduate studies prior to the commencement of the master's program may also apply for the course during their first year of the higher degree program.

Heinrich Böll Scholarship

The Heinrich Böll Foundation awards approximately 1,500 scholarships annually to German and international students, including refugees, at various academic levels. Scholarships primarily focus on STEM fields, particularly Environmental Sciences. Non-EU citizens not educated in Germany receive a monthly stipend of USD 934, along with additional allowances. Doctoral students educated in Germany or EU countries receive USD 1484 per month plus a USD 110 research cost coverage. Non-EU citizens receive USD 1319 monthly, along with a USD 110 mobility allowance and individual allowances. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic achievements, involvement in social issues, and alignment with the foundation's values: sustainability, human rights, democracy, and justice.

Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) For Developing Countries

These scholarships are available to researchers relocating within Europe from other regions of the world. They are specifically designed for international students aiming to undertake postdoctoral research in Germany, with grants reaching up to EUR 15,000 annually. Fellowships are awarded at €5,080 per month gross (varying by host country), supplemented by a €600 mobility allowance and, if applicable, a €660 family allowance. Additionally, funds are allocated for management, indirect costs, research, training, networking, and administrative purposes at the host institution. Successful applicants must have completed their PhD, possess a maximum of 8 years of full-time equivalent research experience by the application deadline, and must not have resided or engaged in their primary activity in the host country for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding the application deadline (in adherence to the MSCA mobility rule).

Deutschlandstipendium

The Deutschlandstipendium, or Germany Scholarship, provides €300 monthly to deserving students nationwide, with funding split equally between the federal government and private sponsors. Renewal is contingent on meeting eligibility criteria, usually awarded for one year and extendable for the standard study duration. Eligibility criteria are determined by each participating university or college and commonly include financial need, extracurricular involvement, academic performance, and personal achievements. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at a German university or college, or intend to enroll.