Think there are no scholarships for Studienkolleg? Wrong. 8+ funding sources, part-time work rules, and budget strategies. Complete 2026 guide.
Most students believe there are no scholarships for Studienkolleg. That is wrong — but only partly. At least 8 funding sources exist for Studienkolleg students in Germany, from political foundations to church-based programs and home-country government scholarships. The honest truth: these scholarships are rare and competitive. Across all of Germany, roughly 50—100 Studienkolleg students receive a scholarship each year. That is a small number. But the money is real — up to 992 EUR per month from a single foundation — and the options are worth knowing. This guide lists every one of them, explains who qualifies, and covers part-time work rules and budget strategies for students who do not get a scholarship.
The biggest scholarship programs in Germany do not cover Studienkolleg students. The DAAD Studienstipendien target enrolled university students. The Deutschlandstipendium requires university enrollment. Most foundations classify Studienkolleg as a “preparatory” program, not a degree program — and that disqualifies applicants.
Here is what you are up against:
That leaves the political foundations, church-based programs, and home-country scholarships. None of them are guaranteed. All require strong grades, social engagement, and early applications. But they exist, and some explicitly accept Studienkolleg students.
Germany has 13 government-funded scholarship foundations (Begabtenförderungswerke). Six of them are tied to political parties. They all follow similar rules: the monthly stipend is based on BAföG rates, currently up to 992 EUR per month plus a 300 EUR study-cost allowance (Studienkostenpauschale). That adds up to 1,292 EUR per month — enough to cover living costs in most German cities.
The catch: most of these foundations officially fund students enrolled at a German university. Whether they accept Studienkolleg students depends on the foundation and often on the individual case.
| Foundation | Monthly Stipend | SK Students Eligible? | Political Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) | Up to 992 EUR | Yes (limited, from 2nd semester) | Conservative, Christian-democratic |
| Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) | Up to 992 EUR | Yes (limited) | Social-democratic |
| Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung | Up to 992 EUR | Possible (case-by-case) | Green, ecology, human rights |
| Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung | Up to 992 EUR | Possible (case-by-case) | Left, social justice |
| Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung | Up to 861 EUR | Rarely | Liberal, free markets |
| Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung | Up to 992 EUR | Rarely | Bavarian, conservative |
The application process is similar across all six foundations:
A student at Studienkolleg Hamburg applied to the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung with B2 German, a 1.7 grade average, and two years of volunteer work at a refugee center in her home country. She received 992 EUR per month for the remaining semester of Studienkolleg and the full duration of her bachelor’s degree afterward.
Several church-affiliated organizations offer support that explicitly includes Studienkolleg students. These are among the most realistic options.
The Ökumenisches Studienwerk in Bochum runs its own tuition-free Studienkolleg and provides scholarships to its students. It was founded by Protestant churches in 1972 and offers T, M, G, and W courses. The Semesterbeitrag at Ruhr-Universität Bochum is about 360 EUR per semester. Some students receive additional living cost support through the Studienwerk. Church affiliation (Protestant or ecumenical) is expected.
The Comenius-Kolleg in Mettingen is a Franciscan institution. It charges zero tuition for its Studienkolleg program. The only cost is a 200 EUR registration fee plus the Semesterbeitrag. Catholic affiliation or openness to Catholic community life is expected. The college also runs a Weiterbildungskolleg for the Abitur.
The KAAD supports students from developing and emerging countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. It primarily funds Master’s and PhD students, but also supports preparatory measures in some cases. Catholic faith or active engagement in interfaith dialogue is required. The stipend follows BAföG rates. Apply through your local Catholic chaplaincy or KAAD partner committee — not directly.
The Cusanuswerk funds Catholic students of all nationalities at German universities. International applicants must be eligible for BAföG support under Section 8 of the BAföG law, which limits this to certain residence-status categories. German language at C1 level is required. The scholarship can extend from Studienkolleg into a degree program in some cases — but direct Studienkolleg funding is rare.
The Protestant equivalent of the Cusanuswerk. It funds Protestant students at German universities with up to 992 EUR per month plus 300 EUR for study costs. International students must be EU citizens or eligible under BAföG Section 8. German at C1 is required. Like the Cusanuswerk, direct Studienkolleg funding is the exception, not the rule.
Your home country’s education ministry may fund study abroad — including the preparatory year. This is one of the most overlooked options.
Many countries run scholarship programs for students heading to Germany. The programs are not always well-advertised, and the names change frequently. Here is where to start:
| Country / Region | Potential Funding Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| China | CSC (China Scholarship Council) | Funds study in Germany via bilateral programs with German universities. Covers living costs. Primarily for Master’s/PhD, but some programs include preparatory phases. |
| Turkey | YÖK (Yükseköğretim Kurulu) | Government scholarships for study abroad. Limited slots for pre-university programs. |
| MENA Region | Various government programs | Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and others have ministry-level scholarships for study in Germany. |
| Latin America | DAAD regional partnerships | Some DAAD programs specifically target students from Latin America. Check the DAAD office in your country. |
| India | Government of India scholarships | Rare for Studienkolleg, more common for Master’s/PhD. Check the Ministry of Education website. |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | DAAD In-Country/In-Region programs | Limited to specific partner universities and subjects. |
Most home-country scholarships target degree students, not Studienkolleg students. But some programs define “study abroad” broadly enough to include the preparatory year. The key is to apply early and ask explicitly whether Studienkolleg counts.
A student from Egypt received a scholarship from the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education that covered his blocked account (Sperrkonto) requirement and monthly living costs for two years — including the Studienkolleg year. He found the program by asking at the German embassy in Cairo.
If you do not get a scholarship, part-time work is your most reliable way to earn money in Germany. But the rules are strict.
Since March 2024, Studienkolleg students with a residence permit under Section 16b of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz) have the same work rights as regular university students:
This is a significant improvement. Before March 2024, Studienkolleg students could only work during semester breaks and needed approval from both the Ausländerbehörde and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit.
The German minimum wage is 13.90 EUR per hour as of January 2026.
| Work Pattern | Hours/Week | Monthly Gross Income |
|---|---|---|
| During lectures (conservative) | 10 | ~555 EUR |
| During lectures (maximum) | 20 | ~1,110 EUR |
| During semester breaks (full-time) | 40 | ~2,220 EUR |
Most Studienkolleg students work 10—15 hours per week during lectures and more during breaks. Realistic monthly income: 550—800 EUR during the semester.
Studienkolleg is academically intense. You have 28—32 hours of classes per week, plus homework and exam preparation. The Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) at the end determines your entire academic future in Germany. Students who work more than 15 hours per week during the lecture period often struggle with grades. Failing the FSP means repeating the year or leaving Germany.
Work enough to cover your basic expenses. Do not work so much that you fail your exams.
Most Studienkolleg students fund their year through a combination of family support, savings, and part-time work. Here is how to make it work on a tight budget.
Your biggest expense is rent. The difference between Munich and Halle is 300—400 EUR per month — that is 3,600—4,800 EUR per year.
The cheapest Studienkolleg cities in Germany:
| City | Studienkolleg | Monthly Rent (WG room) | Semesterbeitrag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halle (Saale) | Landesstudienkolleg | 230—350 EUR | ~248 EUR |
| Zittau | HS Zittau/Görlitz | 200—300 EUR | ~116 EUR |
| Nordhausen | Staatliches Studienkolleg | 220—320 EUR | ~195 EUR |
| Köthen | HS Anhalt | 200—280 EUR | ~117 EUR |
| Wismar | HS Wismar | 220—320 EUR | ~95 EUR |
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (WG room) | 280 EUR |
| Food (cook at home + Mensa) | 220 EUR |
| Health insurance | 120 EUR |
| Deutschlandticket (student rate) | 34.80 EUR |
| Phone | 10 EUR |
| Personal / misc. | 50 EUR |
| Total | ~715 EUR/month |
That is 8,580 EUR per year. Add the Semesterbeitrag (496 EUR for two semesters), and your total annual cost is about 9,076 EUR — well below the 11,904 EUR Sperrkonto requirement. The remaining Sperrkonto money gives you a buffer for unexpected expenses or a slower start with part-time work.
For a full breakdown of all Studienkolleg costs, see our dedicated cost guide.
Not directly. DAAD scholarships fund university students and postgraduates. However, if you already hold a DAAD scholarship for a future degree program, the DAAD can fund up to 6 months of preparatory German language courses before your degree starts. This is not the same as a Studienkolleg scholarship — it covers language preparation, not the full preparatory year. For most Studienkolleg students, the DAAD is not an option.
Both are possible, but “after” is more realistic. Most foundations want to see that you are admitted to a German institution before they fund you. Get your Studienkolleg admission first, then apply for scholarships. Some foundations (like KAS and FES) accept applications after your first semester of Studienkolleg, once you have German grades to show.
Yes. Since March 2024, Studienkolleg students can work unlimited hours during the lecture-free period (Semesterferien). At 13.90 EUR per hour and 40 hours per week, that is roughly 2,220 EUR gross per month. The semester break typically lasts 6—8 weeks. Use this time to build savings for the next semester.
The Sperrkonto (blocked account) requires a deposit of 11,904 EUR before your visa application. There is no way around it — the German embassy will not issue a student visa without proof of financial means. Options: family support, education loans from your home country, or saving up before you apply. Some countries offer government loans specifically for the Sperrkonto deposit.
Private Studienkollegs charge 2,180—10,750 EUR per semester in tuition. Two exceptions: the Ökumenisches Studienwerk Bochum and Comenius-Kolleg Mettingen are technically private but charge zero tuition because they are church-funded. Some private Studienkollegs offer installment payment plans, and a few have their own small scholarship funds. But in general, foundation scholarships are easier to combine with a public Studienkolleg where tuition is already free.
Yes. Family sponsorship is the most common funding method for international Studienkolleg students. Your family can either fund the Sperrkonto or provide a formal financial guarantee (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a person living in Germany. The German embassy accepts both. Many students combine family support with part-time work income once they arrive.
It depends on the foundation. Most political foundation scholarships (KAS, FES, Böll, Luxemburg) are designed to fund your entire study period — including Studienkolleg and the subsequent degree. If you receive a scholarship during Studienkolleg, it typically continues into your Bachelor’s program as long as you pass the FSP and enroll at a German university. This is one of the biggest advantages of foundation scholarships: long-term funding security.
Many countries offer education loans for studying abroad. The terms vary widely. Check with your country’s national bank, education ministry, or private banks that specialize in student loans. Some loans can cover the Sperrkonto deposit, tuition at private Studienkollegs, or living expenses. Be careful with interest rates and repayment terms — and make sure the loan covers a “preparatory year,” not just a degree program.
Finding money for Studienkolleg takes effort. Start early, apply to multiple sources, and have a backup plan that does not depend on a scholarship.
Your action plan:
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