While Germany may not have the same reputation as other European countries such as France, Italy, or Spain when it comes to attracting foreign students, the country actually has quite a few options that can help you get started studying there.
It’s also home to several top universities like the University of Munich (LMU), and Technische Universität München (TUM), among others.
So if you’re looking to start your scholarship application process in time, here are some things you should know about getting started with German scholarships.
What You Need to Know About German Universities
The vast majority of German universities are public institutions. That means tuition is generally free for students who are citizens of EU countries and affordable for all others (for example, international students pay ~3,000 euros per year at most institutions).
There is usually an application fee of between 50-100 Euros. Student visas require proof that you have enough money to live on while studying abroad; typically your school will help with any documentation required.
In exchange, there’s no student loan debt or payment plan. Students can also work part-time jobs without jeopardizing their status as full-time students.
The downside? Public universities don’t offer housing options, so living expenses can be quite high – especially if you choose to study in one of Germany’s major cities like Berlin or Munich.
Most German Universities offer English language programs, but it’s best to check before applying just in case! And lastly, if you’re looking for a more ‘traditional’ university experience, consider visiting some of Germany’s elite universities.
These institutions include Humboldt University in Berlin and Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. These schools are known for having highly competitive admissions standards and they’ve produced some of history’s greatest thinkers including Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud.
They may not be ideal for everyone though – these universities were founded centuries ago and tend to take a very traditional approach to education. You’ll find many lectures are conducted in Latin, students wear formal attire to class every day, and strict rules govern interactions between professors and students.
But if you thrive under pressure, enjoy intellectual discourse, and want a world-class education without breaking the bank…this might be right up your alley!
READ: 15 Fully Funded Scholarships To Study In the United States
What You Need to Know About Getting into University in Germany
The most important thing to know about getting into university in Germany is that there’s no central application like there is in many countries.
Because of that, it can be slightly harder to get accepted if you apply after having completed your secondary education.
There are still ways around it, however. By applying directly to universities and looking into opportunities offered by foundations and organizations, you can improve your chances significantly.
Finally: keep an eye out for scholarship opportunities! They might be hard to find (and even more difficult to win), but they do exist.
When planning on studying abroad, it’s important to have a clear idea of what kind of student visa you need.
Depending on your course load and field of study, obtaining one could either be incredibly easy or ridiculously difficult.
Types of Scholarship Available
Every country has its own scholarship programs and requirements, so be sure to learn about them thoroughly.
Generally speaking, scholarships fall into three categories: need-based grants, merit-based awards, and free tuition.
Find out if your home country offers any of these types of scholarships—and whether they can be used while studying abroad.
If not, look into alternative options like private organizations or foreign governments that may offer financial aid geared specifically toward international students.
Some countries also have exchange programs with other nations; you might qualify for one of those as well.
You should do some research online to see what’s available, but don’t forget to check out your university’s resources as well.
Many schools have offices dedicated to helping their students find funding for study abroad, including both merits- and need-based opportunities.
And don’t forget about applying for federal government assistance through FAFSA! It’s never too early to start filling out forms. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing financial aid are.
Once you know which kind of scholarship(s) will work best for you, it’s time to start applying.
But first, make sure you meet all of the application criteria. Keep reading to learn more about how to apply for different kinds of scholarships. Need-based: In order to qualify for a need-based scholarship, you’ll likely have to prove that your family is struggling financially.
This can often involve writing an essay about your family situation, explaining why receiving additional financial support is important, and sharing information on current income levels and expenses.
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Different Ways to Get a Scholarship
There are numerous ways of securing funding for studying abroad, depending on your particular circumstances. To be eligible, you’ll need to fulfill certain eligibility criteria and provide evidence that you’re able to cover living expenses.
Here are some options: A scholarship from your university or college: Many universities offer scholarships for students who wish to study abroad.
The scholarships may take many forms, but most commonly they will fund tuition fees as well as living costs such as accommodation and food.
In order to apply, you’ll usually have to demonstrate academic excellence and extracurricular involvement. You might also need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to study abroad.
Check with your institution’s international office for more information about how it awards scholarships; if it doesn’t award them directly, it should be able to point you in the right direction.
Grants from national organizations: If you’re not eligible for a scholarship from your school, check out whether there are any grants available at a national level.
For example, USAID offers grants through its EducationUSA program that can be used to support language learning while studying abroad.
Grants tend to be smaller than scholarships, but they don’t require any specific academic achievements and so can be easier to secure if you don’t meet all of your school’s requirements.
Scholarships Beyond Your Education
German and EU students are automatically entitled to various forms of financial aid, and there’s also a scholarship on offer by your local government (Stadt- und Gemeindebund).
The German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst or DAAD) offers scholarships, too.
And it’s all free of charge. If you’re planning on studying abroad, you should definitely check out what’s available. You might be surprised at how much money is out there!
In fact, don’t forget that if you decide to take advantage of some sort of scholarship scheme, you won’t have to pay anything back until you start earning more than €50,000 per year – which means that if you study hard during your time abroad and secure yourself a job after graduation, not only will you have saved yourself thousands of euros but when tax season rolls around next April 30th, they will send someone around to break your legs.
READ: Netherlands Scholarships and Grants for International Students 2023
How Can I Get a Fully Funded Scholarship in Germany?
Scholarships can take many different forms. The most common are those that are fully funded, meaning they cover your living expenses while you study and they don’t have any requirements attached.
In order to qualify, you will have to have an excellent academic record (i.e., near-perfect grades) as well as good test scores.
The key is figuring out what kind of scholarship you can get, how much money is involved, and whether or not it has any strings attached.
For example, some scholarships require students to stay in Germany after graduation or repay part of their funding if they leave early. Other scholarships come with no strings attached at all; these are usually reserved for students who show excellence but may not be able to pay their own way through school.
Finding a scholarship like this is extremely competitive—in fact, there are only about 20 such full-fledged scholarships available for international students each year—but there are ways to increase your chances.
One trick: apply directly to universities rather than third-party agencies like StudyPortals. Universities have more leeway when deciding which applicants receive financial aid and often give preference to students who apply directly rather than through agencies.
Also, make sure you meet all of the requirements for any scholarship you apply for. For example, if your application requires a certain GPA, make sure you achieve that GPA before sending off your application!
Even small mistakes like these can cause applications to be rejected outright.
Finally, keep in mind that even if you aren’t awarded a scholarship from one university, it doesn’t mean other universities won’t offer one!
How Can I Increase My Chances of Studying in Germany?
The biggest challenge for many students when applying for German scholarships is that they think it’s difficult or impossible.
That’s simply not true—German scholarship opportunities are out there, and you just need to know where and how to find them.
The first step towards securing a scholarship is knowing what options exist: There are scholarships awarded by schools (also known as institutional grants) and those offered by non-profit organizations such as societies or foundations.
Scholarships can be merit-based or needs-based, but they all have one thing in common: They’re free money! So if you want to study abroad, start your research now. You never know what you might discover.
And remember: It’s always better to apply than not apply at all. Don’t let fear of rejection stop you from pursuing your dreams. Good luck!
READ: Study Abroad – Top 6 Scholarships In Canada
How Much CGPA is Required for a scholarship in Germany?
In order to get a scholarship/grant from any German university/scholarship provider, you need at least a 2.5 CGPA (out of 4.0) or equivalent GPA and should be excellent in your subjects too.
However, keep in mind that there are many other factors and criteria which may affect your chances of securing a scholarship in Germany.
Therefore, do not concentrate on just CGPA alone. For example, if you have a good TOEFL score then most probably they will award scholarships to you because they want their students who come from abroad to speak English fluently.
Similarly, if you have a good SAT score then also most probably they will award scholarships because they want their students to study hard enough so that after completion of their studies, they can easily find jobs in Germany as well as abroad.
So, make sure you apply with all the necessary documents and fulfill all criteria required by them. If you fulfill all requirements, then rest assured that they will offer a scholarship to you but if even one requirement is missing then, unfortunately, there is no chance for them to give a grant/scholarship to you! In addition to the above requirements, some universities also require students to submit proof of funds along with an application form.
It means if a student does not have sufficient funds for education then he cannot apply for scholarships in those universities.
Who Is Eligible For DAAD Scholarship?
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers funding and opportunities through several programs that support all levels of higher education.
In order to qualify, candidates must demonstrate academic merit, present financial need, and commit to continuing their studies upon returning home. To learn more about eligibility requirements and how you can apply, refer below.
Scholarships are available to international students who want to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree at a German university. They come with full tuition waivers, grants, stipends, paid internships, and much more.
If you’re interested in applying for one of these scholarships or other DAAD awards such as language courses or research grants, read on to discover how to get started.
Here is some information about DAAD and its scholarship offerings: About DAAD: As part of its mission to strengthen mutual understanding between people in different countries, DAAD provides funding and opportunities for foreign students, researchers, and teachers worldwide.
With offices in over 100 countries worldwide, it is responsible for developing global mobility programs designed to foster collaboration between partner universities.
