A scholarship without top grades is possible, because many funders consider commitment, motivation and personal background alongside grades. This guide shows which criteria are common, where your chances are realistic and how to strengthen your application. It also names the cases in which the grade remains a firm threshold.
Short answer: Yes, a scholarship is possible with a weaker grade average. Many funders weigh commitment, motivation and the course of study, and the Deutschlandstipendium asks for outstanding performance, which your university interprets. The criteria your funder uses are stated in its call. Status: October 2026.
The Most Important Points in Brief
- Many funders look beyond grades at commitment, motivation and personal background.
- The Deutschlandstipendium requires outstanding performance, and your university sets the standard.
- The merit-based foundations decide through selection procedures described in their calls.
- You must document commitment with scope, period and impact, otherwise it stays vague.
- Some offers have clear grade thresholds. Check them before you spend time on a cover letter.
- A motivation letter can explain gaps in your grades calmly, without apologising.
Which Criteria Count Besides the Grade?
Funders apply their criteria differently. Common areas, which you will find in calls, are:
- Subject motivation and course of study
- Volunteering, club work or social and political responsibility
- Work experience, vocational training or internships
- Particular life circumstances, where the funder explicitly takes them into account
Whether one of these areas counts is set out in the funder’s profile. Not every funder weighs all areas equally, so compare the profiles before you apply.
| Type of funder | Typical focus | Check before applying |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based foundations | Selection process set out in the profile, with documents and often an interview | Profile, deadline and target group |
| Deutschlandstipendium | Outstanding performance, assessed by the university | Call of your own university |
| Private foundations | Statutes, subject focus and commitment | Funding goal and exclusion criteria |
| University scholarships | Criteria set by the university | Call at the student office |
How Do You Present Your Commitment Correctly?
- Name the period, the scope and the tasks, not only the title of the role.
- Describe what you learned or achieved, ideally with one concrete example.
- Connect the commitment with your study goal so that the link is visible.
- Back up statements with certificates if the call asks for them.
Where the Grade Still Matters
Some offers have clear grade thresholds, stated in the calls. If you fall below one, an application is usually not worth it. Check the conditions first, before you invest time in documents. For university scholarships the grade can be an important criterion, while foundations often use a different standard. The grade is therefore not equally important everywhere, but the calls usually make clear what applies.
An average grade is no reason to exclude yourself if the other points are strong. The funder decides on the overall picture, not on a single number.
What If Your Grade Is Below the Threshold?
In that case, a funder with a grade threshold is probably not the right route for you. Look for offers that weigh commitment or subject motivation more strongly, and consider other options such as the Bildungskredit (a federal education loan with its own terms, in German). A scholarship is one option among several, not the only one.
How Do You Make Your Commitment Visible in Everyday Life?
Many applications fail not because of the commitment itself, but because of missing proof. Collect evidence while you are involved, so that you do not have to reconstruct it later.
- Certificates from the club, initiative or employer with the period and tasks
- Short notes on results, such as projects, events or groups you led
- References from people in charge who can describe your contribution in detail
How Do You Write a Motivation Letter Step by Step?
- Note three moments that shaped your interest in the subject, with date and place.
- Link each moment to a concrete activity that you do today or plan to do.
- Describe what you want to achieve with the scholarship over the next years.
- Read the text aloud and cut every sentence that could appear in any other application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an average grade harm my application?
It depends on the funder. An average grade does not rule out an application if the other criteria fit. Check the thresholds in the call, and if you are unsure, ask the funder directly before you submit.
Can I submit proof of commitment later?
Most funders require documents at the time of application. Late submission is only allowed if the call permits it, so ask before you rely on it.
Do I need a reference?
Often a reference is required, for example from lecturers, trainers or employers. Whether it is mandatory is stated in the call. Ask early, because references take time.
Is a scholarship only for Germans?
No. The Deutschlandstipendium is open to students of all nationalities, according to the official website. Among the federally funded foundations, German citizens, domestic education residents and EU citizens count as target groups for doctoral scholarships. For studies, the target group depends on each foundation, so check it there.
How much time should I plan?
Several weeks for documents, the cover letter and references are realistic. Deadlines differ a lot between funders, so check them early and enter them in a calendar.
What to Do Next
- Choose three funders whose profile fits your commitment and your studies.
- Check the grade threshold and the weighting of criteria for each funder.
- List your commitment with period, scope and impact before you write the cover letter.
- Put together the documents on time and in full.
Related Guides
- Scholarships for students: types, providers and requirements
- Studying without Abitur: routes, rules and funding
- Is a scholarship taxable? Tax and social insurance
- Stipendium bewerben: So überzeugst du die Auswahlgremien (in German)
- BAföG rates 2026/27: figures, allowances and limits
Which Mistakes Weaken an Application?
Many applications lose out not on grades but on avoidable mistakes. These points come up again and again in practice.
- Motivation letters that sound the same for every scholarship and have no link to the funder
- Commitment without period and result, which sounds arbitrary
- Missing deadline checks, so documents arrive too late
- Incomplete documents that have to be requested again
Do not leave out grades that appear in your documents. A grade you can explain is more credible than a gap that stands out. Read the application once more before you send it.
Sources: Deutschlandstipendium, home page (German), accessed October 2026; Heinrich Böll Foundation, scholarship rates (German PDF), as of October 2026; Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), gesetze-im-internet.de (German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
