Financing your studies
Studying opens up many opportunities, but is also associated with costs. It can be hard to keep track of the all possible financing options available. We have compiled the most important information about financing your studies here.
BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz)
Students can apply for financal support of their living expanses according to the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG). If you are eligible for BAföG and how much will be paid depends on the income of the parents, the spouse and the student's own income and assets. The funding amounts are also based on actual needs, for example the amount of rent costs. In addition, childcare allowances, BAföG for studies abroad (Auslands-BAföG) or graduation assistance during the exam period are also possible.
All important information can be obtained from the responsible Studierendenwerk Hildesheim: BAfÖG
Scholarship programs of the University of Hildesheim
You will get an overview of scholarship programs at the University of Hildesheim (including the Deutschlandstipendium and the Lore Auerbach Scholarship) and find our contact details here: Stipendienprogramme der Universität Hildesheim
For information on doctoral and degree scholarships, please contact the Graduiertenzentrum.
Emergency fund: Support for students in acute financial difficulties
- Social fund of the University of Hildesheim
- Emergency funds for international students in Hildesheim
- Corona-Social fund
Social fund of the University of Hildesheim
Do you have acute difficulties financing your studies? The social fund of the University of Hildesheim can help you.
Emergency fund: Support for students in acute financial difficulties
The association supports international students who are in need - especially if no social security systems are in place. This is financed through material aids, social assistance and advice.
Loans for students
The loan program initiated by the German government offers students the opportunity to take out a loan with a low interest rate during the advanced study period. Both students studying for a Bachelor's degree after their first year of study and students on a consecutive Master's or postgraduate course can use the educational loan as a financial aid. A maximum loan of 7,200 euros can be paid out in monthly installments of 100 euros, 200 euros or 300 euros. It is possible to combine the education loan with other forms of financing, such as BAföG. However, the educational loan is granted irrespective of income and assets.
The Federal Government's education loan program - Financial support for education and studies: Bildungskredit der Bundesregierung
Students studying for their first degree or consecutive Master's degree can take out a loan regardless of their income and assets, with funding contributions between 100 and 650 euros per month. KfW-Förderbank, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB) and Dresdner Bank offer such loans nationwide; other credit institutions offer them nationally, regionally or locally. Please check the offers carefully and compare conditions! Be also informed about the expected total repayment amount, as a considerable loan debt can arise depending on the monthly payment amount.
For further information please contact Studierendenwerk OstNiedersachsen: Student loans
The E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation has been helping students in difficult situations for many years. With the graduation assistance, students are supported in overcoming the last period of their studies.
The aim is to help as many people as possible with the funds available, which is why the maximum grant amount is €2,000.
The microloan by the E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation is granted as an interest-free loan for five years. Repayment should take place in the fifth year at the latest. In the sixth year, interest would be due in the equivalent amount of the respective house bank. The repaid amounts are used for new microloans.
The renowned CHE (Centrum für Hochschulentwicklungt) has been testing the quality of student loans for many years. The E.W. Kuhlmann Foundation's microloan was evaluated for the first time in 2011 and immediately scored as "very good".
The evaluation can be seen here:
www.CHE-Studienkredit-Test.de.
For further information regarding the study completion aid by the E.W. Kuhlmann-Stiftung read here.
Scholarships from the organisations for the promotion of gifted students and foundations
There are numerous foundations that support students and doctoral candidates with a scholarship during their studies.
Avicenna-StudienwerkThe Studienwerk supports talented and socially committed Muslim students and doctoral candidates from all disciplines. Web: Avicenna-Studienwerk Contact persons:
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CusanuswerkEpiscopal study sponsorship. The Catholic Church's organization for the promotion of gifted students. Lecturers of confidence appointed by the organization act as local contact person. Web: Cusanuswerk Lecturer of confidence:
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Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich StudienwerkThe Jewish community in Germany's organization for the promotion of talented young people. Web: Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk Contact person:
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Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V. VilligstSupport organization for gifted children of the Protestant churches in Germany. Lecturers of confidence appointed by the organization act as local contact persons. Web: Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V. Villigst Lecturer of confidence:
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Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V.SPD-affiliated scholarship organization. Lecturers of confidence appointed by the organization act as local contact persons. Web: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V. Lecturers of confidence:
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Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die FreiheitFDP-affilieted scholarship organization. Web: Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit Lecturers of confidence:
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Non-profit Hertie-foundationThe Hertie Foundation offers a scholarship program specifically for education student with a migration background. |
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung e.V.CSU-affilieted scholarship organization. |
Hans-Böckler-StiftungPro-union scholarship organization. Lecturers of confidence appointed by the organization act as local contact persons. Lecturers of confidence:
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Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V.Bündnis 90/Die Grünen-affilieted scholarship organization. |
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.CDU-affilieted scholarship organization. Lecturers of confidence appointed by the organization act as local contact persons. |
Otto-Benecke-Stiftung e.V.This organization offers various educational support projects specifically for ethnic German resettlers, quota refugees and foreigners entitled to asylum. |
Rosa-Luxemburg-StiftungDie Linke-affilieted scholarship organization. Lecturers of confidence appointed by the organization act as local contact persons. Lecturers of confidence:
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Stiftung der Deutschen WirtschaftThe Studienkolleg of the Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft offers support for talented students studying to become teachers. The foundation is looking for "future teachers who shape schools with personality and pedagogical leadership potential". In addition, the Klaus Murmann Foundation of German Business supports students from all disciplines and types of university. |
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes e.V.Scholarship holders are usually nominated by teachers at schools or universities. However, self-application is also possible. Lecturers of confidence appointed by the organization act as local contact persons. Web: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes e.V. Lecturers of confidence:
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Advancement scholarship for experienced professionals The advancement scholarship is a federal grant and is aimed at professionals with vocational training and at least two years of professional experience. |
Lists of further foundations can be found on following websites:
Stipendium für Bahnbrecher
As part of the "Stipendium für Bahnbrecher", Idealo is looking for students who stand out from the crowd and dedicate their special skills to a specific cause. We are looking for socially committed, talented and passionate creative minds who want to make a difference in the world. Further information about the Bahnbrecher scholarship can be found here.
Master Plus Scholarship by the Claussen-Simon-Stiftung
From July 1 to 17, 2022, students of all disciplines who are starting a Master's degree at a German university in the upcoming winter semester 2022/23 can apply for a scholarship by the Claussen Simon Foundation's online form. All information on the application requirements and the link to the application form can be found here:
www.claussen-simon-stiftung.de/masterplus
B-First – Scholarship for first generation students
If you are a first generation student who is about to start or has just started a Bachelor's or state examination course at a German university (maximum 2nd semester at the time of application), please apply now. You can find all information about the scholarship and how to apply at www.claussen-simon-stiftung.de/bfirst
Working as a student
Earning money while gaining important experience for your studies and later career - a position as a student/research assistant at the university offers the ideal opportunity for this.
Each semester there is a wide range of university job offers to choose from. It is advisable to look for jobs that are related to your degree course.
The offers can be found on the University of Hildesheim website under the following links:
Intern vacancies for students
Internships and job exchange career service (Central Student Advisory Service)
Extern information sources
myStipendium.de
The portal www.mystipendium.de is a database with over 2,100 funding entries. The portal covers a wide range of scholarships, from financing living costs to financial support for stays abroad and grants for academic work.
Scholarship data base by the DAAD
The portal is a service of the German Academic Exchange Service and focuses on scholarship providers for foreign students or for students who are planning a stay abroad.
Picture credits: Studientenwerk OstNiedersachsen, pexels.com, Daniel Kunzfeld, marco2811/fotolia.com
