Costs and Financing for International Students

Students on exchange programs such as Erasmus+ are able to apply for financial support from their university. Your home university can give you more details.

DAAD-STIBET I scholarships under the Global Exchange Program

International students who come to Bonn from partner universities as part of the Global Exchange Program can obtain a DAAD-STIBET I scholarship. Their partner universities put their names forward for the scholarship via email when nominating them for the Global Exchange Program. Applications are submitted to the partner university, which also makes the final selection decision.

The scholarship is worth €650 a month and can be awarded for up to 10 months.

International students working toward a degree at the University of Bonn can apply for a Degree Completion Scholarship. These scholarships are designed to support international students with good to very good study achievements who are expected to graduate within 12 months of receiving funding (i.e., by April 30, 2027).

Formal application criteria

• Enrollment at the University of Bonn as regular students (bachelor's, master's or state exam students, no exchange students)
• Foreign citizenship (dual nationals must not hold German citizenship)
• University entrance qualification from outside Germany
• Current average grade of at least 2.5
• Income from gainful employment of no more than €1,084 per month

To apply for a scholarship, students must fulfill all requirements. Please note that the scholarship may not be used for studies in a (neighboring) foreign country or for a semester abroad.

Selection criteria

• Completeness of application documents
• Academic performance (based on the average grade from the current transcript of records)
• Motivation for the scholarship (based on the letter of motivation)

Students who are confronted with special circumstances and challenges (e.g., refugee background, degree of disability or chronic illness, care of minor children in their own household) will be given preferential treatment if the formal requirements are met. In this case, please submit the relevant documentation (disability card, residence permit, children's birth certificates). The same applies to students who are particularly involved in volunteer work. Here, too, please submit proof of this.

Funding amount and guidelines
Worth €500 a month, the scholarships will be awarded for a period of five months from May 01, 2026 onward. The scholarships draw on funds from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and are granted in accordance with the DAAD’s guidelines. If you already receive financial support from the DAAD, further funding is not possible. If you receive funding from other public sources, only a top-up is possible. 

Application documents
To be in with a chance of a successful application, please complete the application form and upload the following documents as PDF files:

• One- to two-page letter of motivation (please explain how the scholarship will help you complete your studies)
• Curriculum vitae
• Certificate of enrollment from the current semester (winter semester 2025/26)
• Transcript of records with current grade point average (excerpt from the campus management platform BASIS)
• Bank statements for the last three months prior to application
• If employed: current employment contract
• Confirmation from your examination office or degree program coordinator that you are expected to complete your degree program by April 30, 2027 (you can use this template) 
• Copy of your identification document (passport or ID card)
• Optional: Proof of special circumstances or volunteer work

Application deadline
Submit your applications by February 28, 2026 using the application form. Incomplete or late applications cannot be considered.

Questions?
If you have questions on the scholarship program please contact:

Monique Trachsel
m.trachsel@uni-bonn.de

Apply now!

NRWege ins Studium supports students of the University of Bonn who have a refugee history. We offer monthly scholarships of €300. We also provide counselling on the way to your university degree.

You can apply for this scholarship before your study program has started as long as you are enrolled as a student of the University of Bonn starting from winter term 2025/26.

If you are not eligible to BAföG we can grant scholarships of up to €992 in individual cases.

Formal conditions for application

• You are considered a refugee in accordance with the program’s specifications: you have received a first decision by the BAMF; you are granted temporary protection or protection on humanitarian grounds; you are holding a residence permit for the purpose of admission from abroad; you are not subject to a final deportation order; you do not hold a settlement permit
• You have received your university entrance qualification (equivalent to Abitur) abroad (not at a German school)
• You have arrived in Germany within the past 5 years since first being funded by NRWege. This period can be extended to up to 7 years if you have underage children, if you cared for other family members or if you suffered from illness for a longer period of time. 

Selection criteria

• Strong motivation for achievement and interest in your subject
• Your achievements so far indicate that you will successfully complete your study program
• Social engagement can be a plus (active membership in an association, social and political engagement, cultural activities)
• You are willing to participate in counselling and activities within the NRWege program

Funding period and amount of funding

• October 2025 to September 2026 with the option of extension (subject to approval by the Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW)
• €300 per month for a scholarship complementing an income of max. €992
• up to €992 per month for full scholarships

Application process and documents

1. Complete the application form and upload the requested application documents
2. Application deadline: August 15, 2025
3. The selection committee will take its decision based on your written application. If you are applying for a full scholarship of €934 we will conduct an interview via zoom
4. Payment of the scholarships will start by October 01, 2025 (retroactively if necessary)

Application documents

• Letter of motivation (one or two pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• Transcript of records (if you are only about to start your study program: certificate of German language skills with grade)
• Certificate of enrollment or letter of admission from the University of Bonn (scholarship can be awarded only after enrollment)
• Copy of residence permit or first BAMF decision
• BAföG decision or proof of application for BAföG
• Informal disclosure, dated and signed, about your general financial situation: monthly funds and its sources (salary, public funding etc.), if applicable income of your spouse
• If applicable, proof of income from sources of public funding other than BAföG (e.g. Bürgergeld)
• If applicable, proof of income from a part-time job or other activities
• If possible, letter of recommendation (if you are in your 4th semester or above a letter of recommendation is mandatory)
• If applicable, proof of your social engagement or outstanding achievements
• If applicable, proof of previous funding by NRWege (e.g. proof of participation in preparatory courses funded by Integra or NRWege)

Questions?

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact
Dr. Gesine Schiller
nrwege@uni-bonn.de