Symbolic image, boundless – Photo: Judith Hohmann

Funding Options

There are numerous funding sources to help you discover the world. Don’t let a current lack of funds stop you from studying abroad. Begin early and look into all the various funding options available. Whatever your situation, there is nearly always a solution for you amongst the broad range of funding sources on offer.

 

Erasmus+

If you plan to study at a European partner university or complete an internship lasting at least 60 days somewhere in Europe, you can receive funding through the Erasmus+ Programme. Funding can also be provided for internships planned for periods following the completion of your degree. All applications must be submitted to the International Office

PROMOS

The DAAD’s PROMOS Programme allocates scholarships for periods of study at our partner universities all over the globe, for individually organised study and internship projects, language courses, summer schools, but also trips to competitions and study trips in Europe and worldwide. Applications must be submitted to the International Office.

Auslands-BAföG [de]

Auslands-BAföG (state funding for students going abroad) is always the first option for financing a period of stay abroad. Even if you are not entitled to Inlands-BAföG (state funding for students studying in Germany), you should still apply for Auslands-BAföG as the income threshold is higher. It is also possible to combine it with other scholarship programmes. Submit your application for Auslands-BAföG to the Studierendenwerk (Student Services Office) that is responsible for the respective destination country at least half a year before you plan to take up studies.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) [de]

The DAAD provides a large number of scholarships for periods of study and research, internships and language courses. The scholarship search engine helps you find a programme to fit your needs. Please note! Your should plan your applications up to two years in advance for certain programmes (e.g. annual scholarship or Carlo Schmid Programme) Applications must be submitted to the DAAD.

Foundations and other Organisations [de]

Several foundations provide annual scholarships for periods of stay abroad. The Association of German Foundations has created a list of available scholarships. Further overviews of German foundations can be found at www.stiftungsindex.de and www.stifterverband.org.

Scholarships from placement organisations

If you decide to organise your own stay with the help of an agency these providers often offer scholarships as well.

Student Loan from the Federal Government [de]

Students at advanced stages of their studies can apply for a student loan (Bildungskredit) from the Federal Government (Federal Office of Administration BVA). The loan that you can apply for on the BVA’s website has a fixed duration and particularly attractive interest rates for students. The maximum loan amount is 7,200 euros that are usually paid out in monthly instalments of 300 euros (for a maximum of 24 months). The student loans can be combined with other kinds of funding, e.g. BAföG.

Fulbright Program for Periods of Stay in the USA [de]

German students and graduates who have planned either a short or long period of study at an American university in the USA, and want to promote German-American cultural exchange, can apply for study and travel scholarships.

Teaching Internationally [de]

As part of the Teaching Internationally project at the University of Greifswald, which is funded by the DAAD, student teachers can apply for 5-month scholarships for a combined semester abroad.
Testimonial Florin Schneider - Foto: Florin Schneider

"All I needed now was money. I did some research and everything seemed to be in order. However, I applied for the BAföG for study abroad three months in advance rather than the recommended six, so the eagerly awaited approval for just under 10,000 € didn’t arrive until a few days after my final exam. Together with a further €1,000 or so from the PROMOS scholarship, I was able to cover the costs almost entirely."
(Florin, university exchange semester in Australia)

In our podcast and on the blog Greifswald goes International, he and other outbound students share their experiences abroad.