Financing a Course of Study

Living Costs

The success of your course of study is dependent on whether you have sufficient funds to finance your studies in the Federal Republic of Germany. When applying for a visa for study at a German embassy or consulate or at an immigration office, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds at your disposal to finance your studies. It is thus important for you to see to it early on that sufficient funds are available.

The average monthly costs (the cost of living for one month) for students at the University of Freiburg is currently approximately 700 euros.

Starting in the summer semester 2007, general tuition fees will be introduced at all institutions of higher education in Baden-Württemberg. All students matriculated in an undergraduate degree program or a consecutive master degree program will be required to pay 500 € per semester in tuition fees.
Revenue from these tuition fees will be used solely for purposes of studies and instruction (see www.studiengebuehren-bw.de).

Part-Time Jobs

International students are generally not allowed to work during the semester. A work permit is not included with the residency permit for study purposes. International students are, however, allowed to work for up to 90 days or 180 half days a year without a work permit. As a rule, these jobs must be limited to the semester breaks. Certain exceptions apply for students from EU countries, EEA countries, the USA, etc., as long as the student’s job does not interfere with his or her studies.

Scholarships

The University of Freiburg does not award any scholarships. However, there are other non-university institutions that do offer scholarships. The largest single scholarship provider in Germany is the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). The DAAD offers a wide range of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral students, university lecturers, and researchers in various fields. DAAD scholarships are, however, competitive, and the DAAD only awards scholarships to more advanced students. Although other institutions award scholarships according to other criteria, the DAAD and most other institutions do not finance a course of study for its entire duration, i.e. from the first through to final semester.

Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of academic achievement. The economic circumstances of the applicant play only a subordinate role, if any at all. For more information on scholarships, contact an agency of the German government abroad or a branch office of the DAAD.

Beyond the DAAD, there are other organizations in Germany that finance international students (most links, however, are in German language only):

• Stipendienlotse.de
• Studis Online
• Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen
• Stiftung Warentest
• Stipendiensuche
• Stipendium Plus

 

For information about financial aid and student loans please refer to the websites of the Studentenwerk of the University of Freiburg.

 

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Possibilities for Receiving Financial Aid

The International Office is in the position to grant financial aid to international students only in the case of an unforeseen, temporary emergency situation, provided that the student is not at fault for the situation.

• Students (who have completed at least three semesters of their studies) can apply for student financial aid.
• Students who have almost completed their degree can apply for financial aid for graduating students.
• Doctoral students who are almost finished with their degree can apply for financial aid for finishing doctoral candidates.


Please note:

• This financial aid is not a scholarship.
• Aid is limited to a maximum of six (6) months.
• Before applying for aid, the applicant must come to the International Office for advising.
• The application must be submitted in person.

The application deadlines are always 15 January, 15 March and 15 September.

 

Application forms may be found here.

The office hours of Ms. Scheidler are listed here.




 

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