Learn How Dev Overcame The Cost Of Studying in Germany With Scholarships

The Expatrio Scholarship

So the first scholarship I came across was the Expatrio Scholarship. The premise was pretty simple - submit a 2-min video answering the question "Why are you passionate about the field of study you are pursuing in Germany?"

While speaking spontaneously into a camera is easier said than done and it did take a few takes, I was able to make a pretty decent video in the end. In case you're wondering if you'd need any fancy equipment or editing for this - the answer is no. The main aspect they evaluate you on is how authentic your message is, and how convincingly you're able to put it across. 

It wasn't all about the winners, so even the runners-up folks won fairly good rewards for their work, such as 3 months of free rent, German language lessons, laptops, and even semester fee contributions.

How does the Expatrio Scholarship work?

The student needs to answer the aforementioned question:

• by submitting a video response via the Expatrio application form.
• Show your passion. Everyone gets a fair go at it, regardless of video quality. 
• A panel of judges will analyse the video submissions and choose the winners.
• Prize money will be deposited after the designated winners open their Blocked Account and obtain Health Insurance with Expatrio.

Who can apply for the Expatrio Scholarship?

This Scholarship is open to students from all over the world who meet the following criteria:

• The students should open the Blocked Account with Expatrio Value Package only.
• The students will start their studies in the Winter Semester.
• The students will arrive in Germany and activate their Blocked Account and Health Insurance by 31st October.

Guidelines for Video to be uploaded with Expatrio Application form:

• The video must be in English or German
• The video should not be more than 2 minutes, and should be only in MP4 format, and it does not include any copyright content.

How can the student win an Expatrio Scholarship?

• The video needs to be original and should showcase creativity. 
• The video should answer the given question in a clear manner. 
• It is not important to upload the high-quality video.

The Expatrio will not judge the video of students on the basis of their age, nationality, academic background or any other similar demographics.

DAAD Scholarship

Even before I ever began the process of applying to a German university, I had heard about the DAAD Scholarship program, which goes to show how prestigious it is. 

On the whole, DAAD offers support for master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral programs, with benefits such as:

• A monthly stipend of €1,300,
• Insurance coverage for health, accident, and liability
• Travel allowances, and
• Research funding of €460 annually

Who can apply?

Only those students can apply who are doing their doctorate at a university or research institution outside Germany or have already completed their doctorate (post-doc, up to 4 years after completing your doctorate)

Note: - The student cannot apply if he/she is doing his/her entire doctorate at a German university.

What can be funded?

A research project undertaken in agreement with a scientific supervisor in Germany, at a university that is state-recognised, or a non-university research institute based in Germany.

Duration of the funding:

- Doctoral students: 2 to 12 months
- Postdocs: 2 to 6 months

The Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship

I've always been passionate about environmental sustainability and social justice, so when I was told about the Heinrich Boll Scholarship, I knew it was the right opportunity for me. In essence, the scholarship not only rewards students who are academically strong, but also those who intend to make a difference in the world. 

The scholarship offers additional coverage towards health insurance and education-related expenses. With due guidance, I was able to craft my motivation letter and gathered the requisite documents, including proof of my German language skills (the requirement is for B2 level).

Application Deadlines:

Submission deadlines are between March 1st and September 1st, and it's mandatory that the application is filed online only. Typically, the online portal opens up around 6 weeks prior to the deadline.

Eligibility Requirements:

• A master's degree certificate or certified copy of first-degree certificate/proof of occupational qualification. 
• The degree programs must be state-recognised in Germany
• B2-level proficiency in German, or DSH 2, validated by certification.

Scholarship Benefits

• €934 monthly allowance provided along with other individual allowances
• Additional funding is provided for any short-term study plans abroad
• Health insurance or related costs might also be partially covered

Selection Process

1. Submit application documents online, including: 

- A personal reference talking about your  social inclinations and activities pertaining to the same

- An academic reference from your teacher/professor/lecturer at school or university

2. Initial applications are reviewed by two assigned staff members from the Heinrich Boll Foundation's Studienwerk and another department to decide if the application advances to the next stage.

3. Attend an interview with a liaison lecturer, either at their residence or over a digital medium. 

4. Sit for a digital interview with 3-4 members of the selection committee, which includes external experts, scholarship holders, and a Studienwerk staff member.

Required Documentation:

• Application form which includes personal data and a detailed CV
• Motivation letter explaining your reasons for applying and study-specific interests
• Detailed outline of your interests highlighting academic interests, social commitments, and political inclinations. 
• Proof of University Entrance Qualification, including a copy of Abitur, baccalaureate, or any equivalent qualification with translations 
• A certified copy of the first-degree certificate in German or English
• Current proof of enrollment
• Certification of German language proficiency
• Third-party letter attesting to your social contributions or activities

Deutschlandstipendium

The Deutschlandstipendium is fairly unique in the sense that while you expect the public (read government) to offer subsidies and scholarships, it's the private sector that bears half the responsibility. It's a wonderful public-private initiative - scholarship provides €300 per month, with €150 from private sponsors and €150 from the German government. What’s more, this scholarship is open to students of all nationalities and doesn’t depend on parental income. Also, The scholarship payments do not count toward grants under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG). There are no social insurance contributions due.

How and Where to Apply for the Deutschlandstipendium?

As far as awarding is concerned, it is done directly by the universities. Of course, this means you must meet the requirements set from one university to another. Apart from how good you're with the books, you must also illustrate your commitment to social causes and showcase your personal achievements - like overcoming adversities as part of your social or family background.

Duration of Funding

Scholarship funding is typically provided for a minimum of two semesters. However, a student might receive support for the entire standard duration of their program. Universities tend to continuously assess the scholarship holder's eligibility every two semesters, so no dropping the ball here.

Eligible Universities

While all state and state-recognised universities in Germany are eligible to participate, universities under federal sponsorship cannot offer it.

Ineligible Students

• Doctoral candidates
• Students enrolled at Federal universities 
• Students at administrative colleges who receive candidate wages, or similar labor allowances through public resources, Public sector employment, however, does not make other students ineligible.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria is established under the Scholarship Programme Act (StipG) and Scholarship Programme Ordinance (StipV), which gives universities an avenue to refine them further. Considerations include: 

• Academic performance
• Awards, prizes, internships, employment-related achievements
• Extracurricular activities and social commitment
• Overcoming biographical challenges like challenges arising from family background. Applicant's overall personality and achievements are gauged against this.

Required Documents

You must submit the following:

• Secondary school leaving certificate.
• German post-secondary qualifications (e.g., Feststellungsprüfung from Studienkolleg).
• Official German or English translations for documents issued in other languages.
• A letter of motivation talking about your reasons for applying.
• Documentation of social or political commitments.
• Additional documents as outlined by your university’s application guidelines.

Konrad - Adenauer - Stiftung Scholarship

The KAS Scholarship focuses on leadership and interest or participation in political discourse. One barrier to entry here is that it requires B2 Level of German language proficiency, which is fairly high. In any case, I took it on as a personal challenge of sorts because the incentive was fairly good - a monthly stipend of €934 for master’s students and €1,400 for Ph.D. scholars, along with additional allowances for family and healthcare, is nothing to scoff at. 

While it proved to be an uphill task, I appreciated all the guidance and reassurance that came by way from EduGo Abroad. They were able to help me pick up a good chunk of foundational German as well through their specialised German language course.

Eligibility Criteria

• Hold a university degree (bachelor's isn't supported)
• Demonstrate above-average performance
• Min. B2-level proficiency in German
• Participation in voluntary work or social engagement
• Plan to study in Germany for at least four semesters
• Exhibit a broad education, and strong interest in political issues
• Positive attitude towards democracy and human rights
• Being open to personal growth, exchange of ideas, and tolerance
• Showing high motivation and ability to strive for the achievement of life goals

Additional Guidelines

• Students in medicine or pharmacy must have completed their intermediate exams in Germany 
• Specialist or postgraduate research stays in human or dental medicine aren't supported
• Individuals who have already earned a doctoral degree are not eligible

Benefits of KAS Scholarship

Financial Assistance

• Graduates (Master’s/Postgraduate students): €934 per month for up to two years.
• PhD Scholars: €1,400 per month for up to three years.

Additional Subsidies

• Health insurance subsidies up to €120 per month.
• €276 per month if the student and spouse live together in Germany for at least three months and the spouse’s income does not exceed €450 per month.
• €194 per month for children living with the scholar in Germany.
• Refunds for course-related expenses up to €1,500 per semester (excluding standard semester fees).

Documents Required for Application

• A detailed CV in the form of a table, highlighting any volunteering or social work you might've engaged in
• A motivation letter explaining why you're applying 
• Certified copies of certificates translated to German if not in English
• B2-level proficiency in German
• Records of academic performance from any prior study experience in Germany
• Letter of recommendation from your university professor, or a PhD
• Personal reference letter talking about your personality, values, character, and so on. 
• Certificate of admission or matriculation from German university

Additional Documents for PhD Applications

• A detailed thesis explanation (exposé)
• Recommendation letter from the supervisor of the doctoral thesis
• Confirmation of supervision from academic advisor

Application Deadlines

Application deadline is between 15th January and 15th July every year.

Do note that the application process is fully online, and the portal typically opens about six weeks before the deadline.

…and that’s it! We are extremely grateful to Dev for penning this. Every student who aspires to study abroad at some point wonders how they’d go about financing it from beginning to the end. However, as was the case for Dev as well, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Are you reading this and wish to kickstart a dream of studying in Germany? At EduGo Abroad, we’ve been fulfilling dreams for more than 15 years. Our seasoned team of counselors for Germany  have thorough knowledge and the experience to guide and help students work through different challenges to make their dreams of studying abroad in Germany come true.

Fill out the form and let’s get your own spectacular study abroad experience started!