Scholarships & funding for Germany

Yes, some are. DAAD publishes what each scholarship covers, and the current monthly rate and duration for each programme in its scholarship database. Other options include scholarships from foundations such as the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung; check each foundation's current eligibility rules.

The Deutschlandstipendium is a merit-based scholarship of €300 per month, available at participating universities. Half is funded by the federal government and half by private donors. Selection is based on academic performance, social engagement, and biography. The law sets no nationality condition, so check your university's call for applications.

DAAD deadlines differ by programme and by country, so check the entry for your programme in the DAAD scholarship database. Deutschlandstipendium deadlines are set by each university. Erasmus+ deadlines are set by your home university's international office. Start looking 12 to 18 months before your intended start date.

It depends on the scholarship. DAAD conditions differ by programme, so read its database entry. For the Deutschlandstipendium, you can apply if you are about to start at a participating university or are already enrolled there. Erasmus+ is administered by your home university. Plan to apply for university admission first or in parallel with your scholarship application.

Yes within limits. Most scholarships allow part-time work up to a stated income threshold without losing the scholarship. Non-EU students can additionally work 140 full days or 280 half days per year under §16b of the Residence Act regardless of scholarship status. Above €603 per month (the 2026 mini-job ceiling) a job is no longer a mini-job.