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Scholarship information and University and Secondary School rankings

Free Education for Refugees in Germany

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  • In Germany, refugees have the opportunity to study at German universities, especially if their refugee status is recognized.
  • Some universities have special programs for refugees. These include trial courses, transition courses, courses auditing, and supplementary courses.
  • The application and admission process for entry into a degree program is similar to that of an international student.

Funding Options

  • Most German universities charge low tuition fees, or no tuition fees at all.
  • A refugee is eligible for financial aid depending on how long he/she has been in Germany, his/her age, and the residency status.

Scholarships

  • Several organizations, universities, cities, and states offer scholarships for refugees.
  • Once you choose the university where you would like to study, find out about scholarship options available.
  • The best option for funding for refugees is BaföG (BundesAusbildungsförderungsGesetz), a government funding program.

What does BaföG cover?

  • BaföG funding comes in two equal parts – one part is a grant and the other part is a zero-interest government loan.
  • The payment of this loan is required no earlier than five years after graduation.
  • No individual pays back more than €10,000.
  • The amount received by each refugee depends on certain factors. The maximum amount received is however €735 per month.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

For refugees, entitlement to BaföG is as follows:

  1. Recognized Refugee – A recognized refugee is one who is entitled to asylum, has been granted refugee status, or is under subsidiary protection. If you are a recognized refugee, you can apply for BaföG irrespective of how long you have been in Germany.
  2. Tolerated Refugee – If you are a tolerated refugee or a holder of a specific humanitarian residence permit, you can apply for BaföG 15 months after the date you originally applied for asylum in Germany.
  • If your application for asylum is still being processed, you are not eligible for BaföG.

University entry requirements include:

  • Sufficient language skills (German and/or English, depending on the level of study)
  • University entrance qualifications depending on the course applied for and the university.
  • Refugees who have studied previously can have their coursework and certificates certified in Germany.

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

  • Fill out the application forms and submit them to the Studentenwerk (student service organization) office at the university at which you would like to study.
  • A checklist for filling out the BaföG application is found at the Studentenwerk website.
  • Documents and certificates are also required. These include:
    • Certificates from universities previously attended
    • Bank statements showing your income and assets

NOTE: You can only receive BaföG if your application is complete.

How do I get more information?

We advise against ever posting personal information (email or phone number) in a public place on the internet - Scammers can obtain your information and use it to send you false solicitations.