If you want to apply for a scholarship, you need two things above all: the right timing and documents that match the sponsor. The Deutschlandstipendium pays 300 € a month and is usually awarded once a year for the winter semester, with deadlines set by each university. At Heidelberg University, for example, applications for the winter semester 2026/27 ran from 1 to 31 August 2026. The 13 scholarship foundations (Begabtenförderungswerke, in German) support 1.1% of all students, so selection is strict and a good fit counts.
The most important points at a glance
- For the Deutschlandstipendium you apply at your university, for the scholarship foundations you apply directly to the foundation, and for the Aufstiegsstipendium you apply to the SBB.
- The documents usually include a CV, a motivation letter, certificates and, where required, letters of recommendation.
- Selection criteria are usually performance and commitment. For the Deutschlandstipendium, personal circumstances also count.
- Scholarships can often be combined with BAföG. How the BAföG office treats the payment depends on your case, so check it individually.
When and where do you apply for a scholarship?
That depends on the programme. Here is an overview of the main routes with the verified key facts:
| Scholarship | Apply to | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Deutschlandstipendium | University | Usually once a year for the winter semester, deadlines set by each university. Funding initially for two semesters |
| Scholarship foundations (13 foundations) | Directly to the foundation | Usually early in your studies, each foundation sets its own dates |
| Aufstiegsstipendium | SBB | Two selection rounds per year, applications possible before you start studying. If you are already studying, you apply in the first or second semester |
You will find more information on the programmes on the pages of the Studierendenwerke and the SBB. Which types of scholarship exist and how to find the right one is explained in Finding a scholarship (in German). This article focuses on the application process.
Which documents do you need for your application?
The list differs from one sponsor to another. Commonly required are a CV, a motivation letter, certificates or performance overviews and sometimes letters of recommendation. Read the call for applications in full, because format and length are set out there. If you ignore these requirements, you may be excluded before anyone reads your content.
Put your documents together early. Certified copies or special formats take time, and lecturers do not write letters of recommendation overnight.
How do you write a convincing motivation letter for a scholarship?
A good motivation letter answers three questions: why this subject, what you want to achieve, and why this particular sponsor suits you. Describe concrete situations and results. To do this, read the sponsor’s self-description and selection criteria and refer to them directly.
Example: Suppose Mara, 21, studies chemistry and leads the student council. She writes which tasks she has taken on, how many hours they take each month and what has come out of them. General phrases such as “I enjoy getting involved” are left out. This way the panel sees responsibility and results.
Write a separate motivation letter for each application. A standard text where only the name of the sponsor changes stands out. Have the text read by two people. One should come from your subject area, the other should not know it.
What role do your CV and recommendations play?
The CV is usually the first thing the selection panel sees. Keep it chronological and clear, and highlight stations that fit the programme: internships, projects, voluntary work and awards. Everything you list, you must be able to explain in the interview.
For letters of recommendation, choose people who know you well professionally, such as lecturers or supervisors of a thesis. Ask early and give them your CV, the scholarship details and the deadline. The clearer they are about what matters, the more precise their letter will be.
How does a selection interview work?
The procedure differs from one sponsor to another. Typical topics are your person, your motivation, your subject and your goals, as well as your social commitment. Prepare for the core statements of your letter, because the panel often picks them up. A good preparation is a practice interview with fellow students.
Also prepare your own questions, for example about support during the funding period or offers for scholarship holders. Answer honestly. If you do not know something, say so and explain how you would find out.
Which mistakes cost you a chance?
- Not reading the call for applications, or ignoring the deadline and format requirements.
- A motivation letter that could fit any scholarship.
- Claims without evidence or an example.
- Documents submitted shortly before the deadline, with typos or missing attachments.
- Assuming that only top grades count. For the Deutschlandstipendium, commitment and personal circumstances also count, such as a family without an academic background or a disability.
How can you improve your chances?
Apply to several sponsors. Search databases such as the Stipendienlotse of the Federal Ministry of Research, bildungsserver.de, stiftungssuche.de and mystipendium.de. Keep a list with deadlines, requirements and the status of your documents. If you receive a rejection, ask for feedback where possible and adapt your next letter.
A scholarship is one building block. The article on how to pay for your studies without BAföG (in German) shows what else you can combine it with.
Can you combine a scholarship with BAföG?
The Deutschlandstipendium is paid in addition to BAföG and other income. Whether it counts as income for BAföG purposes, clarify with the BAföG office before you accept. Important: other performance-based funding of an average of 30 € a month or more rules out the Deutschlandstipendium.
How BAföG is calculated is explained in eligibility, amount and repayment of BAföG (in German). If your parents are not taken into account, it is worth a look at independent BAföG (in German).
Frequently asked questions
When is the application deadline for a scholarship?
There is no single deadline. The Deutschlandstipendium is usually awarded once a year for the winter semester, and each university sets its own deadline. For the winter semester 2026/27, the application period at Heidelberg University was 1 to 31 August 2026. Check your university’s website and the call for applications of the sponsor.
What belongs in a motivation letter for a scholarship?
It needs your motivation for the subject, your goals and the reasons why the sponsor suits you. Back up your statements with concrete examples from your studies, internships or voluntary work. Avoid empty phrases and write a separate text for each application.
How do I prepare for a selection interview?
Go through your motivation letter and your CV, because the panel often bases its questions on them. Find out about the sponsor, prepare your own questions and practise the conversation with others. Answer honestly and concretely.
How many students receive a scholarship?
According to a report from the Bundestag, the 13 scholarship foundations supported 31,447 students in 2024, which is 1.1% of all students. For the Deutschlandstipendium and smaller foundations, the rate depends on the individual sponsor. So do not apply to just one sponsor.
So what should you do now
- Collect suitable scholarships in a list with deadlines and contact persons.
- Read each call for applications in full and note the documents required.
- Ask for letters of recommendation early and give the writers material to work with.
- Write a separate motivation letter for each application and have it proofread.
- Prepare for the selection interview with a practice session.
Related articles
- Finding a scholarship during your studies: types, providers and requirements (in German)
- BAföG 2026: eligibility, amount and repayment explained (in German)
- Funding your studies without BAföG: the options (in German)
- NC and waiting time for university: how to apply (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
