According to Section 8 of the Act, foreign students may apply for financial support for educational and training purposes, provided that (among other things)

• they were employed in the Federal Republic of Germany during the last five years prior to the beginning of the program in question; or

• at least one parent was employed for at least 3 years in the Federal Republic of Germany during the last six years prior to the beginning of the program in question; or

• they have their main residence in the FRG, are parents or the spouse is a German citizen: or

• they were citizens of EU or EEC member states and employed in an area connected with the program in question before beginning the program; or

• they have an officially acknowledged status as an asylum-seeker, a quota refugee or a Convention refugee, or enjoy protection from deportation.

Application deadline: at any time

Financial aid opportunities primarily exist for foreign students in basic and advanced studies who are not authorized to receive subsidies according to Section 8 of the Federal Education and Training Act (BAföG), who have financed their studies through their own work up to now, and who are currently required to take examinations or are ill and unable to work as conformed by a medical attest.

The basis for granting financial support is presented in the “Guidelines for Granting Social Subsidies” (“Richtlinien für die Vergabe von Sozialzuschüssen”). Nonetheless, there exists no legal claim to financial aid.

Application deadline: at any time

The application must be submitted to the German Embassy or Ministry of Education of your home country prior to the beginning of studies or the Ph.D. program. As a rule, applications from individuals already studying in the Federal Republic of Germany are no longer possible. 

The Otto Benecke Foundation supports preparatory measures for university education (language courses, “Studienkolleg”), with a focus on asylum-seekers and quota refugees under 30 years of age who seek to take up or continue studies.

Application deadline: at any time

The Friedrich Ebert Foundation supports especially gifted foreign students and graduates of all disciplines actively engaged in societal and political issues. The Foundation awards renewable annual scholarships to students until the completion of their first degree and to graduates until the completion of their Ph.D. Application materials will be sent after a general written letter of inquiry.

Application deadline: at any time

The prerequisites for an application to the Friedrich Naumann Foundation are exceptional talent, quality of character, as well as politically liberal and societal engagement. Financial support is available for first-time, advanced and Ph.D. studies. Foreign students may also apply shortly after an intermediate academic examination (e.g. “Vordiplom”), but not any longer shortly before the completion of studies.

Application deadlines: 31 May and 30 November.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation supports students and graduates of all disciplines and nationalities in universities and other institutions of higher learning. Scholarship holders must present excellent performance in studies and scientific work, as well as demonstrating societal engagement together with an active involvement in issues fundamental to the Foundation: ecology, non-violence, solidarity, and democracy.

Application deadlines: 1 March and 1 September

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation mainly offers support to foreign graduates authorized to begin Ph.D. studies at a German institution of higher learning. The minimum prerequisite is an official classification at the advanced level of studies. Ideal candidates have exceptional academic skills, demonstrate a pronounced interest in societal and political engagement, and will have sought contact with the Foundation in their home country.

Application deadlines: from April to the end of July

The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation awards scholarships to students and doctoral candidates who are involved in activities concerned with social justice, lived democracy and the right to free and critical thought. The applicants should also evince high professional standards in their political and societal engagement. The Foundation is especially concerned with the promotion of female candidates.

Application deadlines: 30 April and 31 October

Scholarships for „Bildungsinländer“ are also awarded by the following organizations:

According to the Berlin Act supporting graduate students (Nachwuchsförderungsgesetz/ Nafög), both German and foreign doctoral candidates whose performance lies well above the average (especially as regards institutions of higher learning) may apply for an “Elsa Neumann Scholarship” in preparation for their Ph.D. studies. The standard period of study is two years. In addition to this, the possibility exists to apply for a grant for the completion of Ph.D. studies for a maximum of one year.