Getting a Scholarship & Funding Your Studies in Germany
The vast majority of international students in Germany do not receive a scholarship — and the good news is that most do not need one. Because public universities charge no tuition fees, the financial challenge is covering living costs (€700–1,200/month), not tuition. This is a fundamentally different situation from studying in the US, UK or Canada, where a scholarship can mean the difference of $50,000–$100,000.
Types of Scholarships
Needs-based scholarships
Needs-based scholarships are awarded primarily on financial circumstances. The most prominent example is the Deutschlandstipendium, which provides €300/month to students enrolled at German universities, combining private and government funding.
Merit-based scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are awarded on academic excellence, extracurricular achievement, social commitment, or leadership potential. The largest and most prestigious German scholarship bodies include:
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) — The largest German scholarship organisation, offering a wide range of programmes for international students at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level.
Heinrich Böll Foundation — For students with a strong commitment to ecology and democracy.
Friedrich Ebert Foundation — For students with demonstrated social and political engagement.
Konrad Adenauer Foundation — For students with above-average academic performance and civic engagement.
Erasmus+ — For students coming from or going to partner institutions within EU programmes.
What It Takes to Get a Scholarship
Be honest with yourself: competition for German scholarships is intense. The main factors that distinguish successful applicants are:
Academic excellence — Consistently strong grades throughout your education.
Extracurricular engagement — Volunteering, leadership, community involvement.
A compelling personal statement — Why Germany, why this programme, what you will contribute.
Early preparation — Most scholarship applications open 12–18 months before the programme starts.
Persistence — Many successful recipients applied multiple times before being awarded.
The biggest determining factor is effort. Candidates who prepare thoroughly, apply early, and tailor each application to the specific scholarship body's values consistently outperform those who submit generic applications at the last minute.
Get help with your scholarship applicationAlternatives to Scholarships
If a scholarship is not an option — or while you are waiting to hear back — here are the main alternatives international students use to finance studying in Germany.
Working while studying
The most widely used option. International students in Germany are permitted to work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year without special permission. Working 20 hours per week at €13.90/hour generates approximately €1,112/month gross — enough to cover most living costs. See the full detail in our Studying in Germany guide.
Income Share Agreements (ISAs)
An Income Share Agreement (ISA) allows you to receive funding now and repay it later as a percentage of your income — only once you are earning above a threshold. No collateral, no guarantor required in most cases. This is a relatively new model in Europe but growing quickly.
Focuses specifically on international students in Germany and other EU countries. Offers up to approximately €20,000 for tuition or living costs. You repay around 8–12% of your income over 3–5 years, only once you are earning above a threshold. Explicitly supports students with visa-related financial requirements including blocked account alternatives.
A German cooperative offering income share agreements in partnership with many private universities and some public programmes. Covers mainly tuition fees; repayment is a fixed share of income for a defined period. Eligibility for non-EU international students varies by programme.
Runs ISA-style education funds in cooperation with specific partner universities, financing tuition and sometimes living costs. Explicitly available to international students at some partner institutions such as Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Availability depends on enrolment at a partner institution.
ISA availability and terms change — always verify directly with the provider before relying on this as part of your funding plan.
Fundraising among family and friends
A practical and culturally familiar option for many candidates from Nigeria, India, Ghana and Kenya. The logic is simple: studying in Germany costs a fraction of studying in the UK or US, the degree is internationally recognised, and graduates have a strong path to employment. Many families treat the initial costs as a collective investment — to be repaid once the graduate is earning in Germany.
The blocked account alone comes back to you in full once you arrive, so the actual sunk cost is primarily the flight, visa fee and first few months of living costs before income begins.
Financing your studies in Germany is very achievable — especially compared to the alternatives. If you are unsure which combination of options makes sense for your situation, we can help you work through it.