The reasonable cost of living and the cheap tuition fees are what attract international students to study in Germany. Still, many of them choose to work part-time to support themselves. Funding your education in Germany is not impossible; hundreds of thousands of students do it. Some through scholarships or parental income, others through personal savings, and many also take up part-time work.
So, let’s plan ahead together and take a look at what you can do to fund your education as an international student in Germany!
Some common ways to fund your education in Germany are:
- Parental Income
- Personal Savings
- Part-Time Employment
- Scholarships
- Student Loans
Parental Income
You can use your parents’ income as proof of financial stability for your student visa application, if they earn enough money to support your studies in Germany. A bank statement confirming their ability to cover your tuition and living expenses is required as part of your student visa application.
If you want to focus on your education without worrying about finances, your parents can cover all your expenses throughout your studies. In many cases, family members create savings for their children’s education, which can also be used as proof of financial support during a student visa application.
Personal Savings
If your personal savings don’t cover the cost of studying in Germany, you can still reach your goal with some effort.
Many international students have been saving money from the moment they decide to study in Germany.
Starting to save money is a smart idea, regardless of where you are in the process. You’ll need to deposit your savings into a German-blocked account.
Part-Time Employment
International students in Germany work part-time to manage their expenses. Germany has plenty of job opportunities for students, which do not require specialized expertise, so it’s no surprise that over 60% of international students in Germany work part-time.
The second phase of the Skilled Worker Immigration Law took effect on March 1, 2024, giving international students in Germany greater employment flexibility.
“The previous limit of 120 full days or 240 half days per year will be raised to 140 full days or 280 half days. Alternatively, the new regulation permits student employees to work up to 20 hours per week,” clarifies the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
You’ll find many job options in Germany, and you can choose one related to your field of study. For example, if you’re studying chemistry, you can work in the university lab.
If you can’t find a part-time job on campus, there are plenty of opportunities off-campus, too.
Here are some options:
- Tutoring
- Academic Assistance
- Working in Student Services
- Museum Staff
- Newspaper Delivery
- Waiting Tables
- Bartending
- Babysitting
Scholarships
Scholarships are another great option to finance your education in Germany. Many scholarships are offered to talented students in Germany, as a country that welcomes a large number of international students.
Here are some scholarships you can consider:
The Deutschlandstipendium
The Deutschlandstipendium is an initiative that supports skilled students financially and provides other benefits. Private organizations participating in this program contribute up to €150 per month per student, while the German government matches this amount, making up a total of €300 per month for scholarship recipients.
This funding covers two semesters, but in some cases, it covers the entire duration of your studies. Although the government and private partners provide the funds, it’s the responsibility of universities to award these scholarships to their students. So, universities set their own criteria for selection.
DAAD Scholarships
The DAAD is an organization that promotes the internationalization of German universities. Since its establishment in 1925, it has been funding and counseling talented students that come and leave Germany. Millions of international students have benefited from DAAD services. In 2016 alone, over 131,000 German and international scholars funded their education with DAAD grants.
Erasmus+
The largest European student exchange program, Erasmus, allows you to study in Germany for a few semesters or the entire duration of your course. German universities take part in many Erasmus exchange projects, giving you the chance to finance your studies in Germany. While some funds may not be directly given to you, they can cover your expenses while living in Germany.
Expatrio Scholarship
The blocked account provider in Germany Expatrio is offering a €12,000 scholarship for the 1st place winner, and several other prizes for other winners. Application steps are easy, all you have to do is record a video answering this question: Why are you passionate about the field of study you are pursuing in Germany?. The scholarship is only valid for students applying to study in Germany for the winter semester 2024.
Privately Funded Scholarships
Privately funded scholarships are also available for international students. These scholarships are often named after esteemed German figures.
Here are a few private organizations offering scholarships to international students:
- Max Planck Society Research. The Max Planck Institute hands out scholarships for legal scholars residing outside of Germany, funded by the Max Planck Society. The program looks for foreign doctoral candidates, postdocs, and researchers with less than 12 years since completing their doctorate, including assistant professors, Junior Research Group Leaders, and those with significant independent scientific experience. Eligible applicants also include W3 professors, full professors, directors, and institute managers.
- Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship. The Heinrich Böll Foundation provides scholarships to 1,500 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students annually, regardless of their field of study or nationality. These scholarships support students studying at universities, universities of applied sciences, or universities of the arts.
- The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). This scholarship program has financial support, mentoring, seminar opportunities, and access to the global KAS network. After graduation, they stay in touch with alumni and engage them in international initiatives.
Student Loans
Student loans are another way to fund your education in Germany. International students have access to many loan programs, both non-government and government-funded.
BAföG government-funded loans have loans with low or zero interest rates. Some universities also have their own loan programs to support international students.
There are also private options like Bildungskredit that offer low-interest loans. However, student loans are limited most of the time and don’t cover all your expenses.
Here are some resources:
- BAföG: Grants or interest-free loans to talented students.
- Bildungskredit: Low-interest loans for higher education.
- Bank loan systems: German banks, including Deutsche Bank, Raiffeisenbanken, Sparkasse, and HypoVereinsbank, offer loan options for international students.
