💳 Student loans and scholarships
In brief
If BAföG is not paid or not paid in sufficient amount, there are essentially three other routes: the Deutschlandstipendium (merit-based, independent of parental income), the talent-promotion organisations recognised by the federal government (with their own selection process and often an ideal commitment) and the KfW student loan (a regular, interest-bearing bank loan with no check of parental income). These routes are very different: scholarships do not have to be repaid, a loan does.
Step by step
- Work out the funding gapFirst work out what gap actually remains after BAföG, part-time job and child benefit.
- Search scholarship databasesThe Stipendienlotse of the responsible federal ministry and databases such as mystipendium list numerous programmes.
- Deutschlandstipendium: apply at your universityApplications go directly through the university concerned, with university-specific deadlines and selection criteria.
- Talent-promotion organisation: apply earlyApplying in the 1st or 2nd semester is usually sensible; a reference or letter of recommendation is often required.
- KfW student loan: choose the payout instalmentWith the KfW student loan, you choose the monthly payout instalment yourself within a set range.
Deadlines
- The Deutschlandstipendium does not rule out BAföG: under § 21 Abs. 3 BAföG, up to €300 per month is exempt from offsetting in the BAföG income assessment.
- The KfW student loan is an ordinary, interest-bearing bank loan and not funding like BAföG – it should only be used once BAföG, scholarships and part-time job are exhausted.
- The exact interest rate of the KfW student loan changes half-yearly and varies with market rates – any figure given here is only a snapshot and does not replace the current KfW overview of terms.
- Funding from a talent-promotion organisation usually cannot be combined with full BAföG funding in practice; however, this is not a nationwide statutory rule but the practice of the individual organisations.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Deutschlandstipendium
The legal basis is the Scholarship Programme Act (StipG). The funding is financed half by the federal government and half by private sponsors (companies, foundations, individuals) and awarded on merit and commitment, independent of the income of students or their parents. Under § 21 Abs. 3 BAföG, it is not offset against the BAföG requirement up to an amount of €300 per month.
Talent-promotion organisations (Begabtenförderungswerke)
The talent-promotion organisations recognised by the federal government (including the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes as well as foundations close to political parties, churches and trade unions) award non-material and in some cases financial support under their own selection processes. The specific funding rates and selection criteria differ considerably between the organisations and are not stated in detail here.
KfW student loan
The KfW student loan (product 174) is a bank loan without a check of parental income, with a variable interest rate linked to Euribor and a selectable monthly payout instalment. Because the interest rate is adjusted regularly, this page refers to the KfW overview of terms for the current amount instead of stating a figure that becomes outdated over time.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.