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Costs, funding and scholarships
Before you start studying in Germany, and during your studies, you will need to cover one-off and regular expenses, namely for:
Visa and residence permit (if applicable)
Living expenses / Semester fees
There are various ways to finance your studies. The funding options include:
- Own financial resources
- Scholarships at Osnabrück University
- External scholarships and grants
- Employment
- Loans
Scholarship Opportunities
| Name (What?) | Requirements/Eligibility (Who?) | Scholarship amount (How much?) | Application documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutschlandstipendium | Enrolment as Bachelor or Master student at Osnabrück University - Within standard period of study - No other scholarships from public funds (national or international) - Outstanding academic achievements, voluntary work, social and intercultural commitment; special personal or family circumstances Application period: 1 May – 15 June | €300 monthly (for one year) | Application via online portal, letter of motivation (max. 2 pages), CV, school certificate, enrolment certificate If applicable: proof of special qualifications, university transcript of records or university degree, certificate of employment, internship and/or volunteer work, etc. |
| DAAD End-of-Studies Scholarship (Studienabschluss-Stipendium) | - Enrolment as degree-seeking student (Bachelor, Master, State Exam) at Osnabrück University - In final phase/year of studies - International students who did not receive their university entry qualification from a German high school (Bildungsausländer) - (Very) good results in previous studies - Special consideration for students with financial difficulties - No other scholarships from public funds - No previous end-of-studies scholarships Application deadline: 15 September | €500 (once) | Application form, CV, transcript of records, letter of motivation (max. 1 page) |
| PhD interConnect | - Enrolment as PhD student at Osnabrück University - No employment contract with Osnabrück University - An interest in | €500 (once) | CV, letter of motivation (including short description of project ideas) |
| DAAD Prize | - Enrolment as a Bachelor (at least 4th semester), Master or PhD (at least 2nd semester) student at Osnabrück University - International students and PhD students who did not receive their university entry qualification from a German high school (Bildungsausländer) - Academic excellence, social and intercultural achievements in society Application deadline: 1 September | €1,000 (once) | Application form, CV, letter of motivation (max. 1 page), transcript of records, documentation of social and intercultural achievements, recent report / letter of recommendation from a professor at Osnabrück University |
| Female Promotion Pool | - Talented and qualified female scholars - Enrolment as PhD student - PhD and habilitation projects nearing completion - No other funding available Application deadlines: 15 January / 15 June | €1,200 monthly (max. 6 months) for completion scholarships (PhD and habilitation projects nearing completion) €1,200 monthly (max. 12 months) for completion scholarships (PhD and habilitation projects nearing completion with reference to gender) Child supplement: €150 monthly (one child under 14), €250 monthly (two or more children under 14) | Application form, university certificates, letter of motivation, proof of having started the PhD project and of previous funding, table of contents of PhD thesis, outline and explanation of work schedule, CV, supervisor’s statement, proof of status as (staff) member of Osnabrück University, declaration of accuracy If applicable: proof of children living in household |
| Landesstipendium Niedersachsen | - Enrolment as Bachelor or Master student at Osnabrück University | €500 (once) | Application form, letter of motivation (max. 2 pages), CV, school certificate, enrolment certificate; If applicable: proof of special qualifications, university transcript of records or university degree, certificate of employment, internship and/or volunteer work, etc. |
| Name | More information |
|---|---|
| Avicenna-Studienwerk | Monthly scholarships for highly talented and socially committed Muslim students and PhD students from EU member states or with “Bildungsinländer” status. |
| Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) | 2 scholarship programs for Bachelor students nearing completion and for postgraduates (preferably Catholic or with a documentable willingness to engage in interreligious dialogue) from a developing or emerging country in Africa, Asia, the Middle East or Latin America. 1 scholarship program for Catholic postgraduates from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. |
| Cusanuswerk e.V. (in German) | Scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate Catholic students with outstanding academic achievements, a strong social commitment, and very good German language skills (C1 level). |
| Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (ELES) | Scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate Jewish students with above-average academic achievements and great dedication to extracurricular activities (e.g. in Jewish communities, youth work, social work, student organisations, etc.). |
| Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V: Villigst | Scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and PhD students (preferably Protestant) from a member state or accession country of the EU or other citizenship in accordance with § 8 BAföG. Proven social commitment (e.g. church, politics, environment, family) and suitability for the course of studies. Good German skills. Persons with legal refugee status may also apply. |
| Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (in German) | Scholarships for applicants from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe with very good German language skills (C1 level), above-average academic achievements, and a commitment to the values of social democracy. Party political foundation closely linked to the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). |
| Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | Scholarships for free-thinking students from EU member states with (very) good academic achievements, liberal or social commitment, and good German language skills (B2 level); scholarship for Master or PhD students from non-EU member states. Party political foundation closely linked to the Free Democratic Party (FDP). |
| Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (in German) | Scholarships for applicants from EU member states with (very) good academic achievements, political, religious or social commitment, civic responsibility, political open-mindedness, and good German language skills (B2 level); scholarships for politically interested and socially committed PhD students with adequate German language skills. Party political foundation closely linked to the Christian Social Union (CSU). |
| Hans-Böckler-Stiftung (in German) | Scholarships for applicants from EU member states or refugees with (very) good academic achievements, political, trade-union or social commitment, and very good German language skills (C1 level); Schumacher PhD Scholarship for outstanding PhD students in Economics; Ute and György Széll International Scholarship for outstanding PhD students in Social Sciences and Humanities. |
| Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung | Scholarships for socially and politically engaged undergraduates, graduates and PhD students who have excellent academic records and an active interest in the basic values of the foundation (ecology, sustainability, democracy, human rights, self-determination, justice). Good German language skills (B2 level). Party political foundation closely linked to the Green Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen). |
| Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung | Scholarships for gifted international students (who have acquired a university degree in their home country) who intend to complete postgraduate or doctoral studies or a research stay of at least four semesters at a university in Germany. Applicants should have good German language skills (B2 level), be engaged in voluntary work, and have a positive attitude towards democracy and human rights. Party political foundation closely linked to the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). |
| Rosa Luxemburg Foundation | Scholarships for postgraduate students who can prove outstanding academic performance, social engagement in the spirit of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, and good German language skills (B2 level). Party political foundation closely linked to the Left Party (Die Linke). |
| Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (in German) | Scholarships for international students eligible for funding in accordance with § 8 BAföG with (very) good academic achievements, social, political and economic interest and engagement, and very good German language skills (C1 level). |
| Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes e.V. (in German) | Scholarships for highly qualified and socially committed students and PhD students eligible for funding in accordance with § 8 BAföG who show initiative and take responsibility. No political, ideological or religious requirements. |
| Name | More information |
|---|---|
| European Funding Guide | Over 12,000 funding opportunities for scholarships, awards, grants and loans. Tips on how to get a scholarship |
| e-fellows | Database, career network, access to newsletters about study programs and starting a career, contact with employers and universities, job offers and internships. No financial support provided |
| German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Information on all DAAD scholarship programs for international students and researchers as well as offers from other selected funding organizations |
| Mystipendium (in German) | Scholarship database for Bachelor, Master and PhD students with over 3,200 entries |
| Osnabrück University’s PhD/Postdoc Career Center (in German) | Information from the PhD/Postdoc Career Center of Osnabrück University on funding doctoral studies |
| Research in Germany | Wide range of funding programs from various organizations for international graduates, PhD students, academics and researchers |
| StipendiumPlus | Umbrella organization of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for the 13 organizations that promote young talent (all of which are listed under the external scholarship providers above) |
| Stipendien-Tipps (in German) | Website with detailed information on a wide variety of scholarship programs and tips on how to apply |
| Name | More information |
|---|---|
| Sozialfonds für Osnabrücker Studierende (SOS) e.V. (Social Fund for Osnabrück Students) | Fast, short-term and unbureaucratic emergency assistance for students in temporary financial difficulty through no fault of their own. |
| Ökumenischer Notfonds (Ecumenical Emergency Fund) (in German) | This emergency fund is designed to help students from the Global South and Eastern Europe facing financial hardship. It is funded by 17 regional partners of Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World). Applicants are invited to contact the University Chaplain of the Evangelische Studierendengemeinde Osnabrück (www.esg-osnabrueck.de). |
Loans
Bildungskredit (Training Loan)
Applicable to international students who meet the requirements of §8 (nationality) BAföG.
KfW-Studienkredit (KfW Student Loan )
Applicable to international students
- who are married to a German citizen and live with them in Germany.
- who are EU citizens and have lived in Germany for at least three years.
- who are family members of EU citizens and live with them in Germany.
- who have received their university entrance qualification in Germany or at a German school abroad.
BAföG (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act)
One-time interest-free bridge loan provided by the Studierendenwerk Osnabrück (Osnabrueck Student Services)
One-time interest-free loan provided by Osnabrück University’s Student Government (AStA)
International Office
Neuer Graben 27
49074 Osnabrueck
Tel.: +49 541 969 4599
Fax: +49 541 969 4495
international@uni-osnabrueck.de
