If you decide to study abroad, you should plan ahead and inform yourself early about possible scholarships. Often, the living costs in the host country can be higher than in Germany, and additional costs like visa application fees, health insurance, and plane tickets need to be covered. It is useful to know your options beforehand.

There are two data bases which provide information on scholarships (only in German):

www.mystipendium.de

www.stipendienlotse.de

DAAD

The most substaitial scholarship is offered by the German Academic Exchange Service: "Jahresstipendium für Studienaufenthalte im Ausland". Scholarship holders will get a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a travel allowance. This can be combined with the direct exchange programme. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for every host country.
Further information can be found here and on their website.

PROMOS

Please find information on PROMOS here. PROMOS is a partial scholarship and is offered twice a year by Freie Universität Berlin (application in spring and fall each year).

Auslands-BAföG

Please find information on Auslands-BAföG here.

Student and Education Loans, KfW Bank

Students who are not eligible for Auslands-BAföG can still apply for a student or education loan. The requirements and lending rates vary depending on the creditor. Usually, all student loans are independent of your parents' financial situation or income and will be disbursed monthly. A student loan by the state is offered by the Federal Administration Office via the KfW Bank; it is combinable with other loans and has a monthly rate between 100 - 650€ for 5 years. 

Further information can be found here.

Foundations

If you hold a scholarship from a political foundation, you are likely eligible for an additional payment during your stay abroad. Talk to the foundation beforehand.

Stipends for outstanding students:

• Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft
• Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes

Confession related foundations and scholarships:

• Evangelisches Studienwerk e. V. Villigst
• Cusanuswerk e.V.
• Hildegardis-Verein e.V.

Political-party foundations:

• Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
• Konrad Adenauer Stifung

Stipends for vocational education and students with migration background:

• Hans-Böckler-Stifung
• Friedrich-Naumann-Stifung
• Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)
• Spenersche Stiftung
• Peter-Fuld-Stiftung