Costs and Financing for International Students
Source: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/international-students/costs-and-financing-for-international-students Parent: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/international-students
Studying at the University of Bonn is free of charge, unless you are taking one of a handful of degree programs for continuing education. Securing the necessary funding can pose a challenge, however. As well as information on how much studying costs, therefore, this web page also gives you some tips on financing and funding opportunities.
Costs during your studies
Semester fee
The University of Bonn does not charge tuition fees. However, students have to pay a social contribution every semester, which is used to finance various services.
Living expenses
Living expenses for a student in Bonn amount to roughly €1,000 a month and will mainly go on your rent.
Health insurance
Students in Germany are required to take out health insurance when they enroll at a university. However, there are exceptions.
Evidence of funds
Students from non-EU countries will generally have to provide evidence of sufficient funds as early as when they submit their visa application or, at the latest, when they apply for a residence permit. This proves that you will have enough money for a degree program in Germany. Since October 01, 2024, the minimum requirement has been €992 a month or €11,904 a year.
The following forms of evidence will be accepted:
- Blocked account
- Proof of your parents’ income and wealth
- Scholarship approval notification from a recognized scholarship provider
- Bank guarantee
- Commitment made by someone resident in Germany to the Immigration Office confirming that they will cover your costs
You can get more information on this from the German Embassy or German Consulate in your country of residence.
Financing your studies
There are various ways to fund your studies at the University of Bonn. Numerous organizations and foundations award scholarships to international students. You can also look for a part-time job if your residence permit allows you.
Scholarships
For many students, scholarships are a good way of funding their studies. They are a form of financial support that does not need to be paid back. However, they will rarely cover all of your living expenses, so you will need to consider other funding options as well.
Loans
Loans are another way to fund your studies. Unlike a scholarship, a loan will have to be repaid at some point in the future. Before you apply, make sure you know exactly what terms are offered on loans to international students.
Studying and earning money
International students have the opportunity to earn money during their studies by taking a part-time job. If you have EU/EFTA citizenship, you do not need a work permit for this. For students from third countries with a residence title for study purposes, a restricted work permit applies during their stay.
Further scholarship opportunities for international students
Scholarships for students on exchange programs
Students on exchange programs such as Erasmus+ are able to apply for financial support from their university. Your home university can give you more details.
DAAD-STIBET I scholarships under the Global Exchange Program
International students who come to Bonn from partner universities8 as part of the Global Exchange Program can obtain a DAAD-STIBET I scholarship. Their partner universities put their names forward for the scholarship via email when nominating them for the Global Exchange Program. Applications are submitted to the partner university, which also makes the final selection decision.
The scholarship is worth €650 a month and can be awarded for up to 10 months.
Scholarships for students working toward a degree
International students and working towards a degree at the University of Bonn can apply for three different types of scholarships from April 2025:
- Degree completion scholarship
- Equal opportunity scholarship
- Scholarship recognizing exceptional voluntary work or community engagement
Formal application criteria
- Enrollment at the University of Bonn as a regular student (Bachelor’s, Master’s or state exam, no exchange students)
- Foreign nationality (dual nationals must not hold German citizenship)
- University entrance qualification obtained outside Germany
To apply for a scholarship, students must meet all three criteria.
Further information on the funding amount, application documents and the application deadline will be published in April 2025.
Degree completion scholarship
International students working toward a degree at the University of Bonn can apply for a Degree Completion Scholarship. These scholarships are designed to support international students with good to very good study achievements who are expected to graduate within 12 months of receiving funding (i.e., by April 30, 2027).
Formal application criteria
- Enrollment at the University of Bonn as regular students (bachelor's, master's or state exam students, no exchange students)
- Foreign citizenship (dual nationals must not hold German citizenship)
- University entrance qualification from outside Germany
- Current average grade of at least 2.5
- Income from gainful employment of no more than €1,095 per month
To apply for a scholarship, students must fulfill all requirements. Please note that the scholarship may not be used for studies in a (neighboring) foreign country or for a semester abroad.
Selection criteria
- Completeness of application documents
- Academic performance (based on the average grade from the current transcript of records)
- Motivation for the scholarship (based on the letter of motivation)
Students who are confronted with special circumstances and challenges (e.g., refugee background, degree of disability or chronic illness, care of minor children in their own household) will be given preferential treatment if the formal requirements are met. In this case, please submit the relevant documentation (disability card, residence permit, children's birth certificates). The same applies to students who are particularly involved in volunteer work. Here, too, please submit proof of this.
*Funding amount and guidelines*Worth €500 a month, the scholarships will be awarded for a period of five months from May 01, 2026 onward. The scholarships draw on funds from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and are granted in accordance with the DAAD’s guidelines. If you already receive financial support from the DAAD, further funding is not possible. If you receive funding from other public sources, only a top-up is possible.
*Application documents*To be in with a chance of a successful application, please complete the application form and upload the following documents as PDF files:
- One- to two-page letter of motivation (please explain how the scholarship will help you complete your studies)
- Curriculum vitae
- Certificate of enrollment from the current semester (winter semester 2025/26)
- Transcript of records with current grade point average (excerpt from the campus management platform BASIS)
- Bank statements for the last three months prior to application
- If employed: current employment contract
- Confirmation from your examination office or degree program coordinator that you are expected to complete your degree program by April 30, 2027 (you can use this template9)
- Copy of your identification document (passport or ID card)
- Optional: Proof of special circumstances or volunteer work
Application deadline**Submit your applications by February 28, 2026 using the application form. Incomplete or late applications cannot be considered.**
Questions?\ If you have questions on the scholarship program please contact:
Monique Trachsel\ m.trachsel@uni-bonn.de
Equal opportunity scholarship
International students working toward a degree at the University of Bonn can apply for an Equal Opportunity Scholarship. These scholarships are intended to support international students facing special circumstances and challenges as they work on their degree program. Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be eligible for the scholarship:
- Refugee background
- Recognized disability level of at least 50% or chronic condition
- Caring for children under 18 in their own household (especially single parents)
- Caring for first- and second-degree relatives
Further formal application criteria
- Enrollment at the University of Bonn as regular students (i.e. not exchange students)
- Foreign citizenship (dual nationals must not hold German citizenship)
- University entrance qualification from outside Germany
To apply for a scholarship, students must fulfill all three requirements.
Funding amount and guidelines\ Worth €650 a month, the scholarships will be awarded for a period of five months from October 01, 2025 onward. The scholarships draw on funds from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and are granted in accordance with the DAAD’s guidelines. If you already receive financial support from the DAAD, further funding is not possible. If you receive funding from other public sources, only a top-up is possible.
Application documents\ To be in with a chance of a successful application, please complete the application form and upload the following documents as PDF files:
- One- to two-page letter of motivation
- Curriculum vitae
- Certificate of enrollment from the current semester (summer semester 2025)
- Transcript of records (excerpt from the campus management platform BASIS)
- Self-declaration on finances: please provide us with some information on your income (you can use this template)
- Evidence of any special circumstances or challenges faced, including a disability or refugee background (official documents or certificates, birth certificate(s) for childcare)
- Optional: Official letter of recommendation from teachers at the University of Bonn
Application deadline\ Submit your applications by June 15, 2025 using the application form. Incomplete or late applications cannot be considered.
Questions?\ If you have questions on the scholarship program please contact:
Monique Trachsel\ m.trachsel@uni-bonn.de
Scholarship recognizing exceptional engagement
International students working towards a degree at the University of Bonn can apply for a scholarship recognizing exceptional voluntary work or community engagement. The scholarships are intended to support students who meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled at least their second program-related semester and
- Good to very good study achievements and
- Doing an exceptional amount of voluntary work
This includes supporting and looking after other students as well as helping out at clubs, associations, institutions or other welfare organizations. They must have performed their voluntary work over a period of at least six months.
*Further formal application criteria*
- Enrollment at the University of Bonn as regular students (i.e. not exchange students)
- Foreign citizenship (dual nationals must not hold German citizenship)
- University entrance qualification from outside Germany
To apply for a scholarship, students must fulfill all three requirements.
Funding amount and guidelines\ Worth €650 a month, the scholarships will be awarded for a period of five months from October 01, 2025 onward. The scholarships draw on funds from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and are granted in accordance with the DAAD’s guidelines. If you already receive financial support from the DAAD, further funding is not possible. If you receive funding from other public sources, only a top-up is possible.
Application documents\ To be in with a chance of a successful application, please complete the application form and upload the following documents as PDF files:
- One- to two-page letter of motivation
- Curriculum vitae
- Certificate of enrollment from the current semester (summer semester 2025)
- Transcript of records (excerpt from the campus management platform BASIS)
- Self-declaration on finances: please provide us with some information on your income (you can use this template)
- Certificate of the type, duration and scope of the social or community engagement
- Optional: Official letter of recommendation from teachers at the University of Bonn
Application deadline\ Submit your applications by June 15, 2025 using the application form. Incomplete or late applications cannot be considered.
Questions?\ If you have questions on the scholarship program please contact:
Monique Trachsel\ m.trachsel@uni-bonn.de
Bridge Scholarships for Palestinians in Germany
The new “Bridge Scholarships for Palestinians in Germany” program launched by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is designed to support qualified Palestinians—particularly those from Gaza—who are living in Germany and who are unable to return home due to the current situation, enabling them to embark on or continue their career here in Germany.
With these scholarships, the DAAD is reaching out to Palestinian bachelor’s and master’s students, doctorate holders, postdocs and university professors in all subjects who completed their degree program, an internship forming part of their degree program, their doctorate or a research project in Germany within the past six months (or, at the very latest, by the time they take up their scholarship) and who need support with finding employment on the German education and job market. The funding can also be put toward internships and research projects.
Lasting between one and four months, the bridge scholarships can be taken up from December 2024 at the earliest and must finish by March 2025 at the latest. Applications can be submitted via the online application portal any time between now and October 15, 2024.
The web page for the call for applications provides further important information on the application criteria and procedure. If you have any queries, please email palestinians@daad.de.
Future Ukraine – Scholarship Program for Refugees from Ukraine
This year, the International Office is able to use funding from the DAAD “Zukunft Ukraine” (Future Ukraine) program (combined scholarship and mentoring program) to support students of the University of Bonn who have been forced to flee due to the war in Ukraine. This may also nationals of other nations if they had a permanent residence permit or enjoyed international protection in Ukraine. Find more information in the link below.
Current application period: August 01 to September 10, 2023
Scholarships for students with a refugee background (NRWege ins Studium)
NRWege ins Studium supports students of the University of Bonn who have a refugee history. We offer monthly scholarships of €300. We also provide counselling on the way to your university degree.
You can apply for this scholarship before your study program has started as long as you are enrolled as a student of the University of Bonn starting from winter term 2025/26.
If you are not eligible to BAföG we can grant scholarships of up to €992 in individual cases.
Formal conditions for application
- You are considered a refugee in accordance with the program’s specifications: you have received a first decision by the BAMF; you are granted temporary protection or protection on humanitarian grounds; you are holding a residence permit for the purpose of admission from abroad; you are not subject to a final deportation order; you do not hold a settlement permit
- You have received your university entrance qualification (equivalent to Abitur) abroad (not at a German school)
- You have arrived in Germany within the past 5 years since first being funded by NRWege. This period can be extended to up to 7 years if you have underage children, if you cared for other family members or if you suffered from illness for a longer period of time.
Selection criteria
- Strong motivation for achievement and interest in your subject
- Your achievements so far indicate that you will successfully complete your study program
- Social engagement can be a plus (active membership in an association, social and political engagement, cultural activities)
- You are willing to participate in counselling and activities within the NRWege program
Funding period and amount of funding
- October 2025 to September 2026 with the option of extension (subject to approval by the Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW)
- €300 per month for a scholarship complementing an income of max. €992
- up to €992 per month for full scholarships
Application process and documents
- Complete the application form and upload the requested application documents
- Application deadline: August 15, 2025
- The selection committee will take its decision based on your written application. If you are applying for a full scholarship of €934 we will conduct an interview via zoom
- Payment of the scholarships will start by October 01, 2025 (retroactively if necessary)
Application documents
- Letter of motivation (one or two pages)
- Curriculum vitae
- Transcript of records (if you are only about to start your study program: certificate of German language skills with grade)
- Certificate of enrollment or letter of admission from the University of Bonn (scholarship can be awarded only after enrollment)
- Copy of residence permit or first BAMF decision
- BAföG decision or proof of application for BAföG
- Informal disclosure, dated and signed, about your general financial situation: monthly funds and its sources (salary, public funding etc.), if applicable income of your spouse
- If applicable, proof of income from sources of public funding other than BAföG (e.g. Bürgergeld)
- If applicable, proof of income from a part-time job or other activities
- If possible, letter of recommendation (if you are in your 4th semester or above a letter of recommendation is mandatory)
- If applicable, proof of your social engagement or outstanding achievements
- If applicable, proof of previous funding by NRWege (e.g. proof of participation in preparatory courses funded by Integra or NRWege)
Questions?
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact\ Dr. Gesine Schiller\ nrwege@uni-bonn.de
Explanatory video: Financial Matters
This video will give you important information on some of the financial aspects of your studies, including opening a blocked account or a normal bank account, managing your finances and applying for scholarships. (The presentation is in English; German subtitles can be added in.)
Financial Matters (©Universität Bonn \ Quelle: YouTube)
Bild © Universität Bonn / YouTube
Contact
Deborah Schwarz
0.003
Poppelsdorfer Allee 102
53115 Bonn (Germany)
© Bernadett Yehdou
Office Hours
- by appointment
Also see
Support for doctoral students
Details of the support available for doctoral students can be found on the Bonn Graduate Center web page.
Financing and support
More information on topics such as BAföG, scholarships and taking part-time jobs while studying is available from the Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service web page.
DAAD scholarship database
Information on various forms of support and relevant services provided by the DAAD.
Links
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/application-admission-and-enrollment/costs
- https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/plan-your-studies/preparation/funding/
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/application-admission-and-enrollment/insurance-for-students
- https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/sperrkonto/388600
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/consultation-and-service/financing-and-support/scholarships
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/consultation-and-service/financing-and-support/loans
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/consultation-and-service/financing-and-support/studying-and-earning-money
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/international-students/exchange-students/global-exchange-program/application-and-preparation#Partners
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/studium/internationale-studierende/download/stibet_bestaetigung-studienabschluss_confirmation_degree_completion.pdf
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/international/campus-international/nrwege-ins-studium/download/2-zu-stipendien-ausschreibung-en.pdf
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs/during-your-doctorate/support/intramural-funding
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/consultation-and-service/financing-and-support
- https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/