In total, around 2 % of all students in Germany, i.e. around 40,000, receive a scholarship. Half of these are funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research through one of the 13 organizations for the promotion of gifted students. In addition, there are a large number of private or company-related foundations that also award scholarships.
One of the main reasons is the generous financial support that scholarship holders receive. This applies for the entire duration of the Bachelor's and Master's degree and/or doctorate, as well as any additional qualifications required to complete the degree (e.g. psychotherapist training after graduation).
It is made up of various parts:
And: none of this has to be paid back!
However, there are many other advantages to a scholarship from a scholarship organization for gifted students:
The 13 organizations that are supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research are known as "Begabtenförderungswerke". They can be divided into different categories.
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is close to the CDU in its views and values. Its focus is on peace, freedom and justice and it tries to make this possible for everyone through international education. To this end, it supports talented students from Germany and especially Central and Eastern Europe who represent these values and are committed to solidarity, democracy and the Christian view of humanity.
As a foundation whose views are close to those of the SPD, it is committed to the fundamental values of social democracy, i.e. freedom, justice and solidarity. It encourages students of all courses of study to participate in the pluralistic social dialog alongside their studies, to help shape society and to stand up for the values of the foundation. In the interests of educational equity, students from low-income families or with a migration background in particular are supported.
The Heinrich Böll Foundation is affiliated with the Alliance 90/ The Greens party and is therefore committed to green ideas. It supports its scholarship holders in getting involved in politics in civil society. In doing so, it follows the basic values of ecology, democracy, solidarity and non-violence. In addition, it attaches great importance to a democratic immigration society and gender democracy.
The FDP-affiliated Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is based on the idea of liberalism and thus political education. It supports talented students from all disciplines in order to encourage them to take an active part in politics and thus contribute to a strong democracy and liberal society.
The Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung is the party-affiliated foundation of DIE LINKE. With its scholarships, it encourages young intellectuals to work for peace, international understanding, social justice and solidarity and to critically question contemporary capitalism.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation represents the fundamental values of the CSU and is committed to democracy, peace and development, particularly for the Free State of Bavaria, but also beyond this on a national and international level. It supports students from all over Germany and emphasizes the free development of personality, responsibility and solidarity and thus supports democratic education on a Christian basis.
The Cusanuswerk is the Catholic Church's organization for the promotion of gifted students. It supports outstandingly talented Catholic students. The Cusanuswerk aims to convey a willingness to take responsibility and the ability to engage in dialog in discussions about science and faith, society and the church.
The Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst is the scholarship organization of the Protestant Church in Germany. It supports students of all disciplines and denominations who take responsibility for society on the basis of Christian values and deal with current issues of the future in an ethically reflective manner.
The Ernst-Ludwig-Ehrlich-Studienwerk is the study organization of the Jewish community. It supports particularly talented Jewish students and doctoral candidates from all disciplines. The scholarship program emphasizes an awareness of tradition and a pluralistic, cosmopolitan society, with particular support for dialogue within Judaism and with other religions, a sense of responsibility and commitment.
Avicenna is the youngest study organization and supports high-achieving and socially committed Muslim students and doctoral candidates from all disciplines. Its aim is to train responsible and qualified Muslim personalities and prepare them for leadership positions in science, society, business, politics and culture. It also encourages students to reflect on their own faith.
The business-oriented foundation offers the Klaus Murmann Scholarship Program for particularly high-achieving students and aims to strengthen its scholarship holders in their entrepreneurial thinking and public spirit. It places particular emphasis on personal initiative, entrepreneurial spirit, commitment and social responsibility.
The trade union-affiliated Hans Böckler Foundation is the co-determination, research and study support organization of the DGB (German Trade Union Confederation). It attaches great importance to trade union and social commitment and a socially responsible attitude among its scholarship holders. It supports them in using their talents in the spirit of co-determination in democracy and the social market economy.
In addition to the Deutschlandstipendium, the Aufstiegsstipendium is also interesting for those who have already completed an apprenticeship and have at least 2 years of professional experience. You can find more information at
https://www.sbb-stipendien.de/aufstiegsstipendium.html
Other important scholarship providers include
Tyczka Energy Foundation (Funding is available for individuals, companies and institutions whose ideas and projects contribute to a sustainable energy supply for future generations. Contact at the HSZG: Prof. Zschunke)
The Deutschlandstipendium stands for a scholarship culture supported by the federal government, universities and private sponsors.
It supports talented and committed students at our university. In addition to good grades or academic achievements, social commitment and special personal achievements - such as successfully overcoming hurdles in one's own educational biography - also count when awarding the Deutschlandstipendium.
Anyone who is enrolled at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences or is applying for a place at university can apply.
More information on the website www.hszg.de/deutschlandstipendium