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Explore various scholarships to support your education and deal with finances in Germany
Are you worried about financing your dream to study in Germany? You're not alone. Over 20,000 Indian students have already embarked on their dream journey in Germany, benefiting from its ideal mix of academic perfection and healthy student life to diverse cultural exchange.
But here's the secret – most of them are supported by scholarships! Each of those scholarships is a lifeline that helps deserving and motivated students to afford to study in Germany without constant financial pressure.
Indian students are eligible for several scholarships for studying in Germany. These scholarships can broadly be categorized into government-funded, non-government, loan, and university-specific scholarships.
In this blog, let's dive into the world of scholarships that Indian students can avail of, and related trivia like key opportunities, the application process, and eligibility requirements, to fulfill the dreams of many Indian students!
Table of Contents:
Government-Funded Scholarships
DAAD is the largest funding organization in the world supporting the international exchange of students and researchers. Various scholarships are provided for Indian students from the DAAD
DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science and Engineering): This scholarship supports eligible Indian undergraduate students from selected Indian higher education institutions and currently in their 5th or 6th academic semester of a 4-year Bachelor’s program or in their 5th- 8th academic semester of a 5-year integrated or dual degree program, to undertake a summer research internship at a renowned German university for 2-3 months spanning between May and August.
DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses): This scholarship provides financial aid to Indian students to pursue postgraduate degrees in their chosen field ranging from economic sciences to engineering sciences, and environmental sciences at selected German universities
DAAD IIT Master Sandwich Program: This scholarship provides an opportunity for Indian students pursuing their postgraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or natural sciences at any of the IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) to undergo their master's thesis in any of the selected TU9 German universities.
2. Erasmus+
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters exemplifies an unwavering pledge to academic enhancement and a global platform in higher education. It is jointly designed and delivered by the European Union and offers complete financial assistance ranging from course fees to health insurance for a prestigious international master in Germany in diverse disciplines across multiple reputed European universities.
Eligible students, who have secured a bachelor’s degree or are in the last year of graduation, undergo a stringent application process followed by in-person interview rounds for securing the scholarship. It is highly competitive and around 100 students are awarded with Erasmus Mundus Scholarship every year for studying in European countries.
Non-Government-Funded Scholarships
The scholarship of the Heinrich Böll Foundation is open to all subjects for Indian students; overall, they annually support about 1,200 undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students who want to study or do research at universities in Germany or other European institutions. The foundation is also especially interested in applications by students with a proven action orientation and innate passion for social-political issues.
KAS provides scholarships to international students including those from India, who are willing to pursue postgraduate studies (master's or PhD) at a German university. Applicants must have an overall decent performance in academic studies and demonstrate an interest in political activities. For expert guidance and to ensure a strong application, applicants can also contact reputed overseas education consultants.
The foundation gives scholarships to students with impressive academic performance combined with social or political involvement. Indian students enrolled for undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctorate courses in Germany are eligible for this scholarship.
University-Specific Scholarships
There are several scholarships available for studying in Germany to overseas students, offered by reputed public and private German universities. A snapshot of relevant instances including:
RWTH Aachen University provides many scholarships for international students who have registered to study at their university, of which some are master's course special Scholarships provided by RWTH International Academy. This scholarship is awarded on merit and provides for partial tuition assistance.
Merit Scholarships by the renowned University of Hamburg for International Students to pursue postgraduate education at their university, provide financial support for their dream of studying in Germany. The scholarships are aimed at high-achieving academic students who also have substantial contributions to social/voluntary work.
To help international students fund their studies and research, TUM offers several scholarships such as the funding programs of the TUM Graduate School for PhD candidates or the International Student Scholarship for outstanding master’s students with prolific academic standing and innate passion towards the chosen field of study.
Loan Scholarships:
Apart from Public and Private scholarships some institutions also provide loan scholarships. These are scholarships where the beneficiary has to pay back the received scholarship after a certain number of years varying with different organizations. Let us have a look at a few Loan Scholarships available for Indian students studying in Germany.
Government-Sponsored: There are several government-sponsored loan scholarships like Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS), Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram (PMVLK), and state-specific schemes that provide students with subsidies with interests or loans to provide for their education overseas. These scholarships are generally for the economically weaker section of the society.
Institution Sponsored: Several institutes and organizations collaborate with banks both public and private to offer scholarships with low interest rates, or loan repayment schemes where half is paid by the organization while the other half is paid by the student. Such schemes are especially good for students who do not have collateral and have high potential in the field of study.
Corporate and Private sponsored: There are several schemes by public and private organizations such as the J. N. Tata Endowment Scholarship, K. C. Mahindra Scholarship, etc. which offer loan scholarships along with other benefits like mentoring, internships, or jobs after completion of their studies.
For expert guidance and to ensure a strong application, applicants can also contact reputed overseas education consultants.
Applying for Scholarships
We have now looked at all the different scholarships you could apply to, but how do you apply? What are the things and documents you would need? Applying for scholarships requires careful planning and focus. Let's look at the general steps to follow:
Research: The first thing you need to do is research the various available scholarships. Check their eligibility criteria through their links and make a list of the scholarships that you qualify for.
Prepare the documents: Make sure you have the required documents like your language proficiency certificate (generally IELTS or TOEFL), your resume, academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a letter of recommendation (if necessary).
A strong Statement of Purpose: What separates you from all other applicants around the world is a very strong SoP. Your SoP should not only highlight your academic achievements, and career goals but also show your desire to learn and why you need the scholarship.
Recommendation Letters: Strong Letters of Recommendation from your guide, professors, or employers can help bolster your application and leave a strong impression on the scholarship team.
Have a look at deadlines: Deadlines are crucial to submitting your application. Last-minute entries are sometimes not entertained thus, it is best to ensure that you submit your application well before time.
Apply for multiple scholarships: In today's competitive world, everyone is looking to brag about the chance of getting a scholarship so don’t stop with just one application. Increase your chances of getting scholarships by applying to multiple ensuring that you meet the specific requirements of each one.
Note: Applying through overseas education consultants can help you make this process simpler and easier by helping you with document preparation as well as applying to multiple scholarships giving you a better chance to make it through your goal.
Some Tips to Secure a Scholarship
Scholarships look easy, but some though are hard to get! Want a sneak peek into how to make sure you are on the top of their list? Well here are some tips to get in through the scholarship you want:
Academic Performance: While not always necessary a high GPA along with engagement in co-curricular activities showcases your leadership skills and initiative putting you at the top of the list.
Language Proficiency: A good score in language proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL may help you get a better scholarship. Some scholarships may also require German proficiency depending on the university and the course.
Research Experience: Internships, research projects, and published papers not only add to your CV but also help you gain scholarships, especially for postgraduate courses as this shows your skills related to the field.
Social and Community Services: Your engagement in the community, or public services like NGOs, campaigns, donation camps, etc. make you a well-rounded candidate suitable for scholarships.
Personalization: Each application should be different. Tailor your application for different scholarships as generalized applications are less likely to be successful.
Professional help: Seek expert assistance from overseas education consultants to elevate your application and seize the golden opportunity.
Conclusion
Public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fee for non-EU international students, except for certain niche courses. International students only have to pay nominal fees for administrative and related public fees, along with living costs and miscellaneous expenditures. A scholarship will give you extra money to cover these costs, while also providing funds for study materials and books, research trips, and other costs. It offers a plethora of scholarships for Indian students making it one of the best destinations for abroad education both graduate and postgraduate. Careful research and meticulous preparation can help you make a strong application for your dream scholarship opening up lots of academic and professional opportunities in Germany.
Overseas education consultants like Admissiongyan can help you through this research so that you can get your dream scholarship without having to worry much about the process. Reach us now, to know more about it!
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