It is a widespread misconception that scholarships are only awarded to the best of the best. Dedicated and committed people and other applicants are also often successful with their applications. You can also convince other scholarship providers. Finding a suitable scholarship provider is not always easy, but it can be worthwhile.

Find out now what a scholarship is, what advantages and disadvantages it has and what else you should look out for.

When you hear the word "scholarship", you might initially think of the USA. There, students receive tuition fee waivers at the best universities for particularly good academic or sporting achievements. In this country, the system is similar, although there are of course some differences.

A scholarship initially serves to ease the financial burden. Depending on the scholarship, either all maintenance costs or only the tuition fees or costs for teaching materials are reimbursed. This is so that students can concentrate fully on their education.

Scholarships are awarded by various bodies, for example foundations. However, universities and companies also award scholarships. The requirements are as varied as the providers themselves. Unlike BAföG, however, scholarships have one thing in common: they do not have to be paid back.

The typical requirements for a scholarship often include

• Achievement: performance in a particular academic or scholastic field often plays a role. Scholarships are then often tied to a specific field of study.
• Talent: Various sponsors in Germany support highly gifted students in a specific field if they show outstanding talent at a young age.
• Character: Many sponsors require a character test for applications. This often applies to church organizations. In this case, for example, only people from a certain religious group receive a scholarship.
• Social background: To balance out social justice, scholarships are also awarded to people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds if they can demonstrate appropriate achievements. They should be given the opportunity to study at the highest possible level.
• Recommendation: Some sponsors offer scholarships if a student can provide a recommendation from a lecturer or professor.

In return: In order to receive financial support, students sometimes have to provide something in return. Companies in particular oblige students to work for them after graduation.

Good grades: Some sponsors expect certain performances. This includes compulsory attendance at certain events and planning seminars.

Obligations: Studying sometimes goes hand in hand with obligations to the respective organization or company.

All in all, the advantages of a scholarship clearly outweigh the disadvantages. So: apply in good time! Regardless of whether you come from abroad and want to study in Germany or would like to go abroad as a German student: The German Academic Exchange Service will tell you everything you need to know.