Scholarships and Student Financial Aid in Germany

BAföG: the main state grant and loan

BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) is Germany's main state funding scheme for students. German citizens qualify automatically, and EU citizens qualify too, mainly if you or a parent has worked in Germany or you have lived there for a set period before starting your studies. Rules depend on your specific situation, so check eligibility with your university's BAföG office before you count on it.

The maximum monthly rate for a student who does not live with their parents stands at 992 EUR , made up of a 475 EUR basic allowance, a 380 EUR housing allowance, and a 137 EUR supplement for students who pay their own health and long term care insurance. Students who still live with a parent receive less, up to 671 EUR. Half of what you receive is a grant you never repay, and half is an interest free loan you repay after you finish studying.

A planned increase to the housing allowance, from 380 to 440 EUR, was due for winter semester 2026/27 but has been pushed back, so budget on current rates until an update is confirmed.

How to apply for BAföG

Apply through the BAföG office (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) attached to your university, either through the national eAntrag online portal or on paper. You need proof of income for yourself and your parents, your enrollment certificate, and proof of health insurance. Submit your application as early as possible each semester, since processing takes weeks and back pay lags behind your actual costs otherwise.

Deutschlandstipendium: merit based, income blind

The Deutschlandstipendium pays 300 EUR a month for one year . Students who keep meeting the criteria typically continue to receive it in following years. Half the money comes from federal funds and half from a private sponsor, such as a company or foundation linked to your university. Unlike BAföG, your family income plays no role. Universities select students mainly on academic results and involvement outside the classroom, such as volunteering or student government.

Apply directly through the university where you are enrolled or plan to enroll, not through a national portal, since each university sets its own deadline. The University of Freiburg opens applications for 1-31 March, while the University of Würzburg accepts applications until 16 July 2026 . Check your target university's own page for the exact window rather than assuming a fixed national date.

DAAD and university specific scholarships

Beyond BAföG and the Deutschlandstipendium, most universities run their own named scholarships, often tied to a subject, a partner company, or a specific student group such as first generation students or single parents. Search your university's international office or student services page directly, since these awards rarely appear on general scholarship search sites.

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) also funds a range of programs for students moving to Germany for a master's or doctoral degree, typically covering a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a travel allowance. Amounts and eligibility differ by program and change from year to year, so check the specific DAAD program page you are interested in for the current figures rather than a general estimate.

Political and talent foundations

Germany's political foundations, such as Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, each run their own scholarship programs for students who show strong academic results alongside social or political engagement. Eligibility and award amounts differ by foundation, and most require a nomination from a professor or an application tied to a specific round each year. Search each foundation's own site for current criteria before you apply, since requirements change often.

Emergency funds for short term crises

If you hit a short term financial gap, your local Studierendenwerk often runs a small hardship fund or interest free emergency loan for enrolled students, separate from BAföG. Contact the social counseling office (Sozialberatung) at your university early, since these funds usually run on limited yearly budgets and a first come first served rule. Ask before a bill falls overdue rather than after, since some funds process requests faster than others depending on the time of year.

State loans and part time work

KfW, the state development bank, offers a separate student loan open to enrolled students regardless of BAföG status. Combine it with a BAföG grant if you still need more monthly income. As an EU or EEA citizen, take on a part time job under the same rules and limits that apply to German students, without separate work permission.

Combining more than one funding source

Combine BAföG, the Deutschlandstipendium, and part time work in most cases, though the exact interaction between them depends on your personal situation. Talk to your university's student services office or BAföG advisor before you commit to more than one source, so you understand how they affect each other for your case.