The study scholarship of the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst (Protestant Study Foundation Villigst) is for school leavers and students who belong to a Protestant church. The foundation checks your study stage, nationality and deadlines closely, so the details matter.
This guide explains the application, the selection stages and the funding frame. We only report euro amounts where they are confirmed and dated.
Short answer: You can apply with a school-leaving certificate, or as a student whose fourth semester has not ended by the time of selection. You must belong to a Protestant church and hold the nationality of an EU member or accession state. Deadlines are 1 March (winter semester) and 1 September (summer semester), each at 24:00. Funding follows the federal rates (status October 2026).
The most important points
- Church: membership of a Protestant church. Exceptions are possible in justified cases.
- Nationality: of an EU member or accession state. Students from other EU countries can also be funded.
- Deadlines: 1 March for the winter semester and 1 September for the summer semester, each at 24:00. For reports, the postmark counts.
- Selection in several stages, with a main selection at Haus Villigst in Schwerte: two days of individual and group interviews.
- Funding is calculated according to family circumstances. We do not state a euro sum, because the information we have carries no confirmed status.
Who can apply?
The foundation funds school leavers and students. According to the information we reviewed, pure master programmes and dual, part-time and distance programmes are not funded. In a double degree, the subject started first counts. The foundation names no specific grade. It expects above-average achievement at school and, where applicable, at university.
| Criterion | Requirement according to the documents |
|---|---|
| Church | membership of a Protestant church, exceptions in justified cases |
| Nationality | member or accession state of the EU |
| Study stage | school leaving certificate or study, with the fourth semester not exceeded at the time of selection |
| Degree | no pure master, no dual, part-time or distance programme |
| Results | above average, no fixed grade stated |
When must you apply?
The deadline for the winter semester ends on 1 March at 24:00, and for the summer semester on 1 September at 24:00. For reports, the postmark counts. The winter-semester deadline falls about seven months before the winter semester starts in October. The figures come from an information sheet from a university, whose status is not stated. Check the dates on the foundation’s website before you plan.
How does the selection work?
The selection has three steps. First, your documents are checked for completeness. Then a preliminary selection takes place at the university locations. The main selection follows. You also need two reports, one on your subject and one on your social commitment. The interview in Schwerte is the most important date in the process. Plan travel and accommodation early and prepare for both individual and group situations. The documents we reviewed do not describe a programme of topics.
- Check of the documents for completeness.
- Preliminary selection at the university locations, in May and June for the summer semester or in October and November for the winter semester.
- Main selection in July, or in February and March, at Haus Villigst in Schwerte: two days of individual and group interviews.
How high is the funding?
The foundation calculates funding according to family circumstances. The amount follows the federal rates. We do not state a euro sum here, because the information we have carries no date. Current rates for students are available from the foundation.
Complete and accurate information on income and family is the basis for any calculation. The table shows the upper limits of the federal rates, status October 2026.
| Benefit | Upper limit | Source and status |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum rate in university study | up to 855 euros per month, income-dependent under BAföG rules | Heinrich Böll Foundation, status October 2026 |
| Study-costs allowance | 300 euros per month, not income-dependent | Heinrich Böll Foundation, status October 2026 |
| Funding of the foundation | family-dependent, no amount stated | Information sheet, retrieved October 2026 |
Assumption: You receive the maximum rate and the allowance in full. Then the upper limit is 1,155 euros per month. This is not a promise. The foundation calculates on the basis of your family situation, so the actual amount can be well below this figure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply with a master programme?
According to the documents, pure master programmes are not eligible for funding. Whether your study path counts as a first degree is decided by the foundation on a case-by-case basis.
What counts in a double degree?
The subject you started first counts. If you study two subjects in parallel, prepare the reasoning for your interview and ask the foundation for its assessment.
What does the fourth semester mean for my application?
At the time of selection, your fourth semester must not have been exceeded. What matters is therefore your position at the selection, not at the time you submit. Check with the foundation whether your case counts if your studies take longer.
Do I need to belong to a church?
Membership of a Protestant church is required. Exceptions are possible in justified cases. Raise the exception with the foundation early, so that you do not learn about it only during the selection.
What happens if I miss a deadline narrowly?
The documents say nothing about this. If you miss a deadline, ask the foundation immediately rather than hoping for an extension. Write down the deadlines, times and the postmark rule for reports in your calendar.
What you should do now
- Check the matching deadline on the foundation website (1 March or 1 September).
- Clarify early which two reports you need, and ask your reviewers in good time.
- Plan two days for the main selection in Schwerte in case you are invited.
- Plan your finances with the upper limit of 1,155 euros as a frame, before you commit to anything.
Related guides
- Rosa Luxemburg Foundation study scholarship: application and deadlines
- Friedrich Naumann Foundation study scholarship: selection and funding
- Cusanuswerk study scholarship: deadlines and eligibility
- Scholarships for students in Germany
- Heinrich Böll Foundation study scholarship: application, selection and funding
Sources: Landshut University of Applied Sciences, information sheet on the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst (retrieved October 2026), Heinrich Böll Foundation, scholarship amounts of the scholarship foundations (status October 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
