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The cost of studying/How international students can finance their studies

Prior to embarking on your studies in Germany, and during your studies, you will be required to cover one-off and regular expenses, namely for:

Visa/residence permit (if necessary)

Semester fee

Tuition fees

Health insurance

Living expenses

In Germany, there are various possibilities for financing studies. The following list contains a selection of financing options:

Loans and credit

Niedersachsen-Studienbeitragsdarlehen (Lower Saxony Tuition Fee Loan)

Applicable for international students from EU and EEA countries, as well as their family members stateless individuals foreigners and stateless individuals who have received their university entrance qualification in Germany or at a German school abroad. More information (in German)

Bildungskredit (Education Loan)

Applicable for international students who at the time of application, are either married to or live in civil partnership (Lebenspartnerschaftsgesetz, LPartG) with a German or EU citizen with permanent residency who are the child of a German or a EU citizen with permanent residency or who have a settlement permit. More information (in German)

KfW-Studienkredit (Student loan provided by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau)

Applicable for international students who are married to a German citizen and live with them in Germany who are EU citizens and have lived in Germany for at least three years who are family members of EU citizens and live with them in Germany who have received their university entrance qualification in Germany or at a German school abroad. More information (in German)

BAföG (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act)

More information

One-time interest-free bridge loan provided by Osnabrück Student Services

More information (in German)

One-time interest-free loan provided by Osnabrück University’s Student Government (AStA)

More information (in German)

Scholarships at Osnabrück University

Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)

Students at Osnabrück University who are within the standard period of study and who have performed very well during their studies are eligible for funding. More information (in German)

Landesstipendium Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony Scholarship)

Students at Osnabrück University who have performed very well during their studies are eligible for funding. More information (in German)

DAAD-Studienabschlussbeihilfe (Grants for the completion of studies by the German Academic Exchange Service)

International students who are in the final phase of their studies are eligible for funding. For more information, please contact the International Office.

Grants for the completion of studies for students from developing countries

Students from developing and emerging nations who are in the final phase of their studies are eligible for funding. For more information, please contact the International Office.

Other scholarships and grants

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship database

Contains detailed information about scholarship opportunities for international students, graduates and scholars in Germany. More information

Stipendium Plus

Contains information about twelve institutions that award scholarships to students in Germany. More information

Alfred Toepfer Foundation

Awards scholarships to Master’s and PhD students from Middle and Eastern Europe who are in the last year of their studies and study either Cultural Studies, Humanities, Music, Economics or Agricultural Sciences. More information

Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (KAAD) (Catholic Academic Exchange Service)

International students from developing and emerging nations who are in the final phase of their studies are eligible for funding. More information

Diakonisches Werk Osnabrück (charitable organization of Protestant churches) in collaboration with Osnabrück Protestant Students Community (ESG)

Advice on how to apply for aid from the hardship fund of the Diakonisches Werk. More information (in German)

Sozialfonds für Osnabrücker Studierende (SOS) e.V. (Social Fund for Osnabrück Students)

Quick, short-term and non-bureaucratic immediate aid for students in temporary financial emergencies through no fault of their own. More information (in German)

Further information

For more information and advice, please contact the International Office: