When it comes to financing their studies, there are various funding and support options available to students in Germany. One of the best-known options is the BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act), which offers financial support in the form of a grant and/or interest-free loan. In Germany, there are 13 Gifted Students Support Organisations that award scholarships for students. The organisations for the promotion of gifted students are divided into politically oriented, denominationally oriented and politically independent organisations for the promotion of gifted students. In addition, there are numerous other opportunities such as the German Scholarship and Scholarships for International Students.
BAföG and short-term loan
The Federal Training Assistance Act, or BAföG for short, regulates training assistance for students. The 29th BAföG Amendment Act came into effect in the winter semester 2024/25. The maximum amount of funding is 992 euros. A new addition is a study start-up grant of 1,000 euros for people from low-income households with social welfare benefits.
You can find out whether you are eligible for BAföG by seeking expert advice from the staff at the BAföG office
To cushion a short-term financial emergency, a loan from the Studentenwerk offers students support in difficult times. This assistance can be granted regardless of the student's income and assets and can also be obtained in parallel to BAföG. However, there is no legal entitlement to this benefit, which means that it is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Funding opportunities at the university
The Deutschlandstipendium is an income-independent grant. Sponsored students receive 300 euros per month, up to the end of the standard period of study. Half of the funding for a scholarship comes from the federal government, the other half from private donors.
A Deutschlandstipendium scholarship is awarded to students and first-year students who are expected to achieve outstanding academic and professional results.
A large number of scholarships and prizes are awarded to students at the university. The university, private donors, companies and associations provide funds for this purpose.
The association Freunde und Förderer der TU Bergakademie Freiberg e.V. promotes teaching, science and research, in particular of students, diploma and doctoral students, and supports scientific contacts and cooperation as well as field trips and internships for students.
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Study grants from the federal government
The Studienstiftung supports students whose talent and personality promise special achievements in the service of the general public. The scholarship holders help to shape and mould society in a variety of ways, proving that there is no such thing as a typical Studienstiftung student.
Prerequisites:
- Very good academic performance
- High level of personal and voluntary commitment
Application:
Apply to the Studienstiftung
The federal government's advancement scholarship supports skilled workers with professional experience in their first academic degree programme. Anyone who has already completed vocational training and gained professional experience can apply for the scholarship.
Up to 1,500 advancement scholarships are awarded each year.
Gifted and talented organisations
In addition to state funding through BAföG, support from home, financing of studies through study scholarships from state or private foundations, other foundations, trade unions and churches also award scholarships.
Avicenna-Studienwerk (Muslim)
Prerequisites: Citizenship of an EU member state or the status of a Bildungsinländer within the meaning of §8 BAföG, Muslim students, enrolment at a state or state-recognised German university, students still have at least 4 semesters of above-average school/academic performance at the time of the start of funding, social commitment, language level of C1
Application: Self-application, end of the application phase is either 1.4 or 1 October of the year
Cusanuswerk (Catholic)
Requirements: German, Catholic students from the 2nd semester onwards and during their doctorate. Semester and during the doctorate, professional qualification; intensive participation in problems and tasks of the church, participation in a holiday academy is mandatory
Application: Self-application or application by teachers, university lecturers, pastors, etc. by 1 October of the year
Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (Jewish)
Prerequisites: German, Jewish students, above-average school and academic performance, involvement in Jewish communities, in social work, in youth work, in student organisations or in the social environment; high degree of participation in the idealistic promotion and commitment within the scholarship structures
Application: Self-application, by 31.10. or 30.4.
Evangelisches Studienwerk e.V. Villigst
Prerequisites: German, Protestant students or children of foreign employees from EC or EC-associated countries. EC-associated countries, provided they have acquired their higher education entrance qualification in the FRG; high willingness to engage in interdisciplinary academic study; assumption of responsibility as a Christian, participation in holiday seminars is compulsory
Application: only self-application; by 1 March or 1 September of the year
Friedrich Ebert Foundation (SPD)
Prerequisites: German and foreign students with outstanding academic qualifications and interdisciplinary, social and political commitment, participation in holiday seminars desired
Application: Self-application to the foundation possible at any time (with two university teacher's reports)
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FDP)
Requirements: Students and doctoral candidates with above-average performance and active socio-political commitment, application as a high school graduate or as a first-year student, minimum funding period of two semesters,
Application: Self-application, by 30 April or 31 October
Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (CSU)
Prerequisites: Students and doctoral candidates with above-average performance and active socio-political commitment, participation in supervision seminars desired
Application: Self-application
Heinrich Böll Foundation (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)
Prerequisites: German nationals, foreign students in their first degree programme, application possible before the first semester up to and including the 4th semester, very good school or academic performance, social commitment and political interest, convincing justification for the application to the Heinrich Böll Foundation
Application: Self-application, by 1 March or 1 September
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. (CDU)
Prerequisites: German and foreign students with above-average aptitude from the 1st semester; maximum age 32. Semester; maximum age 32 years
Note: Participation in seminars desired
Application: Self-application directly to the foundation
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung (Die Linke)
Prerequisites: Germans, foreigners with BAföG entitlement, students with a migration background who have a permanent perspective of staying in Germany, very good academic performance, strong social commitment in the spirit of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, studies within the standard period of study
Application: Self-application, by 1 April or 1 October
Otto Benecke Foundation
Prerequisites: Immigrants who are studying or have started studying in Germany; students from the Third World who are in Germany to continue their education (further details will be provided by the Berlin office)
.Hans Böckler Foundation (DGB)
Requirements: Students from the labour sector with high professional and personal qualifications and a sense of socio-political responsibility
Application: Proposals from the area of a DGB trade union
Studienförderwerk Klaus Murmann (Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft)
Prerequisites: German citizenship or foreign nationals within the meaning of § 8 BAföG, high level of social commitment, grades in the upper third of the performance index, high social competence, interest in social, political or economic topics
Application: Self-application, study scholarship: 30.5. to 7.7., doctoral scholarship: 1.6. to 1.8.
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Promoting the international mobility of students
Erasmus+ is designed to promote lifelong learning, enable sustainable growth, strengthen social cohesion and European identity and drive innovation. The programme focuses on the topics of inclusion and diversity, digitalisation, political education and sustainability, which are closely linked.
In the current programme generation 2021 to 2027, even more students and university employees can participate in Erasmus+ more easily than before. The programme is particularly aimed at all those who have not previously been reached by the programme due to their personal or social situation or structural factors. Overall, access is to be made easier for all people and organisations.
The PROMOS partial scholarship is aimed at students with very good grades and a high level of extracurricular commitment who want to go abroad outside Europe or are not eligible for funding under the Erasmus programme or do not have an Erasmus+ contract with a European university. Short stays of up to 6 months are possible as part of the programme (study visits, internships, specialist and language courses).
Scholarships for international students
The International University Centre regularly publishes offers from TUBAF and other organisations that are aimed exclusively at international students.
The graduation grant is a scholarship for international students in the last semester of their degree programme.
The requirements for receiving this scholarship are good academic performance, graduation within nine months and financial need.
This scholarship can only be awarded once. A selection committee (IUZ Advisory Board) decides on its award. There is no legal entitlement to the award of the graduation grant.
To the website "Graduation grant for international students"
The TU Bergakademie awards scholarships for more equal opportunities to support international students who have to overcome special challenges and living conditions during their studies. The funds are provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of the STIBET scholarship and support programme.
Working during your studies
If there's not enough money, you have to go and work. Whether in the catering trade, as an English tutor or as an assistant at university. Job posters at the university, UNIINFO-L, the Career Centre's job wall, job offers for students at the Studentenwerk and job portals on the internet can help you find a job.
Job portals
The Career Center is the interface between companies and students and organises many opportunities for exchange. The Jobwall informs TUBAF students about their job offers.
The Studentenwerk Freiberg collects job offers from available sources that become available during your studies.