Scholarships in 30 seconds
Scholarships are money as a gift — no repayment, no interest. The two biggest pots: the Deutschlandstipendium (€300/month, independent of parental income, on top of BAföG) and the 13 German scholarship foundations (funding at BAföG level as a full grant plus a €300 study-cost allowance). Plus hundreds of small foundations with little competition.
The main programmes
- ✓Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month for at least 2 semesters, apply directly at your university (including HfWU Nürtingen). Criteria: grades AND engagement/biography. Not counted against BAföG.
- ✓Foundations (e.g. Studienstiftung, Friedrich Ebert, Konrad Adenauer, Hans Böckler): funding analogous to BAföG as a 100% grant + €300 study-cost allowance for all. Pick the foundation that fits your profile — union-affiliated, political, religious, business-oriented.
- ✓Aufstiegsstipendium: for students with completed vocational training and work experience — a flat €992/month, parent-independent.
- ✓Small foundations: regional, subject-specific or biographical (e.g. first-generation students) — databases: stipendienlotse.de, mystipendium.de.
How to apply
Deutschlandstipendium: annual call by your university, usually in summer — CV, transcript, motivation letter. Foundations: self-application or nomination, with a selection process (interview/seminar). Realistic effort: one weekend for the first application — at €300/month over two semesters that is €3,600 for one weekend’s work.
As of September 2026, without guarantee. Overviews: stipendienlotse.de (BMBF), your university’s website.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 1.0 GPA?
No. The Deutschlandstipendium weighs grades and engagement/responsibility — side jobs or family care count too. Many small foundations select by subject, region or biography, not top grades.
Is a scholarship counted against BAföG?
The Deutschlandstipendium is not. Foundation funding replaces BAföG (same calculation, but as a full grant). Small scholarships are exempt up to €300/month.
Can I apply while in a dual-study programme?
Yes — the Deutschlandstipendium is open to dual students, provided your university takes part. Your company salary is not a disqualifier.