The Deutschlandstipendium is a monthly scholarship of 300 euros for talented, high-achieving students at public and state-recognised universities in Germany. It is not a full scholarship and it will not pay your tuition, rent and flights in one go. What it does is put a steady amount into your account every month while you study, without asking about your family's income or your passport. You can read the full scholarship details on our listing, but this guide goes further into how the programme works in practice and how a Pakistani student should approach it.
The key thing to understand early: you do not apply to a central government office. You apply to your own university in Germany. That single fact shapes almost everything else about the application.
The Deutschlandstipendium in brief
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding | Partial funding: 300 euros per month |
| Where the money comes from | 150 euros from private sponsors, 150 euros from the Federal Government |
| Study level | Bachelor's and Master's, first-semester and higher-semester students |
| Country | Germany (public and state-recognised universities) |
| Nationality | All nationalities |
| Deadline | Varies by university, confirm on the official site and with your university |
| Official site | deutschlandstipendium.de |
How the 150 plus 150 euro split works
The programme runs on a public-private partnership model. A business, a foundation or a private individual pledges 150 euros per month to support a student. The Federal Government then matches that pledge with another 150 euros. Together that makes the 300 euros a scholarship holder receives each month.
This structure explains why the number of places at each university is limited. A university can only award as many scholarships as it has private pledges for. It also explains why funding is reviewed regularly, which we come to below.
For a student from Pakistan, 300 euros a month will not cover the full cost of living in a German city. Think of it as a meaningful top-up to your own funds, part-time earnings or another award, not as the thing that pays for your whole degree. If you are still building your proof of funds for the visa, our guide to bank statements and proof of funds is the place to start, because this scholarship is something you usually apply for once you are already enrolled or admitted.
What else comes with the money
The financial side is simple. The extras are where the scholarship can be more useful than the amount suggests. The scholarship provides financial and non-material support, and more universities and sponsors are offering additional non-financial support alongside it. That can include:
- mentoring programmes
- networking events
- internships with businesses
For an international student who arrives in Germany without contacts, this matters. A sponsor that funds you is often a company in your field, and an introduction through the programme can be easier than a cold application. What is offered differs between universities and sponsors, so ask your scholarship office what your local programme includes.
Two more points help international students in particular. The scholarship funds do not count towards grants under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), and no social insurance contributions are payable on them. So the 300 euros does not get reduced by those deductions.
Is a Pakistani student eligible?
Yes. The programme is open to students of all nationalities, and nationality plays no part in the award decision. The real requirement is that you are a student, or about to become one, at a public or state-recognised university in Germany that participates in the programme. Private universities that are not state-recognised fall outside it.
The listed eligibility points are:
- you study at a public or state-recognised university in Germany
- you are a first-semester or higher-semester student
- any nationality can apply
- academic achievement is a selection criterion
- social commitment and personal achievements are evaluated
- your ability to overcome challenges or obstacles in your social or family background is considered
Personal and parental income are not considered. This is a merit scholarship in the broad sense: grades count, but so does what you do outside class and what you have had to deal with to get where you are.
Who this suits, and who should look elsewhere
The Deutschlandstipendium suits a student who has already secured (or is close to securing) a place at a German public university and wants extra monthly support. It suits applicants with good grades who also have something real to show outside academics: volunteering, community work, family responsibilities, a part-time job held through school, or a hard background they have pushed through.
It is a poor fit if you are looking for a scholarship that covers your entire study and living costs, or if you need funding confirmed before you can show your finances for a visa. In those cases look at fully funded options first. Our all Germany scholarships hub lists the other programmes worth comparing.
Applying through your university, not a central office
Scholarships are awarded by the individual higher education institutions. In practice the route looks like this:
- Find out whether your university in Germany takes part in the Deutschlandstipendium. The official Deutschlandstipendium website is the place to check, along with your university's own website.
- Read that university's specific requirements and deadline. These differ between institutions.
- Apply directly through the university's own application portal or process.
Because each university runs its own process, there is no single application form, and the document list is set locally. Your university's scholarship office or student services will tell you exactly what to upload. Do not assume that what a friend submitted at a different university applies to you.
Preparing your documents
The official programme does not publish one fixed list of documents, since each university decides. Your job is to collect what your university asks for and to make sure it shows the three things the selection looks at: academic achievement, social commitment and personal achievements, and any obstacles you have overcome.
Pakistani students often hold transcripts and degrees issued at home, and German universities may want these in a particular form. If you have not sorted out attestation yet, read our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide before you are up against a university deadline.
When to apply
There is no single national deadline. The opening date and deadline vary by university, so confirm the current cycle on the official portal and with your university directly. Since first-semester students can apply, check whether your university accepts applications before or around the start of your first semester, so you do not miss a full round while settling in.
The two-semester review most holders forget about
Funding is normally granted for at least two semesters and can run, at most, for the standard period of study. It is not automatic for the whole degree. Every two semesters the university reviews two things: whether you still meet the award criteria, and whether the private funding behind your scholarship will continue.
That second point is outside your control, and it is worth planning around. Keep your grades up, stay involved in whatever commitment got you selected, and do not build your budget on the assumption that the 300 euros will definitely continue until graduation.
Mistakes that cost applicants a place
- Writing only about grades. Social commitment and personal background are evaluated, so a transcript-only application leaves points on the table.
- Being vague about challenges. If you have overcome real obstacles in your social or family background, explain them plainly and specifically. This is a stated criterion, not a sob story.
- Missing the local deadline. Deadlines vary across institutions. Write down your own university's date as soon as you find it.
- Applying to a university that does not participate, or to a private institution that is not state-recognised.
- Ignoring the extras. Once selected, use the mentoring and networking. For many holders the contacts end up worth more than the money.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Deutschlandstipendium?
Yes. It is open to students of all nationalities at participating public and state-recognised universities in Germany, and nationality is not a factor in the award.
How much does the Deutschlandstipendium pay?
300 euros per month. Private sponsors contribute 150 euros and the Federal Government matches it with another 150 euros.
Does my parents' income affect my chances?
No. The scholarship is awarded without consideration of personal or parental income.
Can I apply in my first semester?
Yes. Both first-semester and higher-semester students can apply. Check your university's timing so you apply in the right round.
How long does the funding last?
Normally at least two semesters, up to the standard period of study at most. Your university reviews your eligibility and the availability of private funding every two semesters.
Where do I send my application?
To your own university, through its own portal or process. There is no central application.
Before you apply, confirm participation and deadlines on the official Deutschlandstipendium website and with your university, and keep the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship page handy for the key details.