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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 and residence permit (if necessary)

Health insurance

Living expenses / Semester fees

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

• Loans and credit
• Scholarships at Osnabrück University
• Other scholarships and grants
• Employment

Loans and credit

Bildungskredit (Education Loan)
Applicable for international students who meet the requirements according to §8 (nationality) BAföG. 

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.

BAföG (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act)

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

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

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. 

Landesstipendium Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony 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.

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.

General information about funding options for students at Osnabrück University

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.

Stipendium Plus
Contains information about thirteen institutions that award scholarships to students in Germany. 

Alfred Toepfer Foundation
Awards EUROPA scholarships to Master’s and PhD students from Europe, Israel and Turkey who study either Arts, Cultural Studies or Humanities.

Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (KAAD) (Catholic Academic Exchange Service)
Master's and PhD students from developing and emerging countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East or Latin America are eligible for funding. 

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

Avicenna Studienwerk e.V.
Avicenna awards scholarships to Muslim students

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.