BAföG Alternatives: Scholarships in Germany for Turkish Students

BAföG Alternatives 2026: A Funding Guide for Turkish Students in Germany

Are you a Turkish student dreaming of university in Germany? That's a great decision! However, if you're thinking "BAföG" to cover your education costs in Germany, hold on a second...

BAföG Alternatives 2026: A Funding Guide for Turkish Students in Germany

Are you a Turkish student dreaming of university in Germany? That's a great decision! However, if you're thinking "BAföG" to cover your education costs in Germany, hold on a second. Unfortunately, like most international students, the door to BAföG is closed for you. So, are there no other ways to get financial support while studying in Germany? Of course there are! In this guide, we explain in detail which BAföG alternatives and funding options you can apply for as an international student. As ApplyToGerman (AlmanyaUni), we will help you find the right path.

#Why is BAföG Not Suitable for Turkish Students?

For many students aspiring to study in Germany, the first financial resource that comes to mind is BAföG, the Federal Education Assistance Act. However, this system is generally designed for German citizens or EU citizens who meet specific conditions. The requirements for international students to receive BAföG are quite strict:

• You must have a permanent residence permit in Germany (usually a "Niederlassungserlaubnis" or settlement permit, or "Daueraufenthalt-EU" or EU long-term residence permit).
• At least 5 years must have passed since you obtained this residence permit.
• You must be able to prove "continuous residence" in Germany.

As you can see, for a Turkish student who is new to Germany or has been there for a short time, meeting these conditions is almost impossible. Therefore, instead of focusing on BAföG, you should look into other funding options for Turkish students specifically tailored for you.

#Main Scholarship and Funding Options for Turkish Students in Germany

The options beyond BAföG are actually quite diverse and can open up great opportunities if researched well. Here are the most popular and accessible ones:

#1. DAAD Scholarships: Germany's Largest Scholarship Provider

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), the German Academic Exchange Service, is the organization that offers the most comprehensive scholarship programs for international students in Germany. DAAD scholarships cover a wide range from postgraduate (Master's, PhD) education to research projects.

• Who can apply? Turkish students can apply directly for DAAD scholarships. For those wondering, "I couldn't find Turkey in the list of participants on the DAAD website, did I look incorrectly?", let us clarify: Turkey is one of DAAD's important partner countries, and many scholarship opportunities are available for Turkish students, including special programs. You can visit DAAD's official website (daad.de) and select your country in the "Find a Scholarship" section to see current programs.
• Types of Scholarships:
  • Master's Scholarships: Typically last 10-24 months, offering a monthly living allowance of 934 Euros, travel expenses, and health insurance support. Ideal for Master's programs in Germany.
  • PhD Scholarships: Applicable for individual or structured doctoral programs. In response to the question, "Do I have a chance to get a scholarship while doing an individual PhD?", yes, DAAD also supports individual PhD projects, but the quality of the application and project is very important. It provides support of approximately 1,300 Euros per month.
  • Research Scholarships: For short or long-term research visits.
• Application Process and Timing: The question, "Are scholarship applications after acceptance?" is very common. Generally, you need to apply for DAAD scholarships before or simultaneously with your university application. Although some programs require a university acceptance letter, the application period may start much earlier than the university admission process. For example, scholarship applications for the next academic year open in the autumn months of the previous year. For those asking, "Is there any approval I need to get or a document I need to submit before the application dates begin?", yes, you usually need to create an account on an online portal before filling out the application form, and prepare documents such as a CV, letter of motivation, reference letters, and transcripts. Preparing these documents in advance saves time.
• Application via TEV: DAAD scholarships cannot be applied for only through TEV. You can apply directly through DAAD's own online application portal. Although TEV (Turkish Education Foundation) also offers scholarship programs in cooperation with DAAD, this is not the only application channel for DAAD.

Before applying for DAAD scholarships, you should thoroughly review DAAD's official website. From there, you can list the scholarship programs suitable for you.

#2. Deutschlandstipendium: University-Independent Support

The Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship) is a scholarship awarded to successful and promising students. This 300 Euro per month scholarship is financed half by the state and half by private companies, foundations, or individuals.

• Who can apply? German citizens, EU citizens, and international students can apply. Students from Turkey can also qualify for this scholarship.
• Conditions: Criteria such as academic achievement, social engagement, and personal development are taken into account. Income status is not a criterion for awarding the scholarship.
• How to apply? The answer to "How do I get a scholarship from a university in Germany?" is right here! You apply for the Deutschlandstipendium not directly through DAAD or a central institution, but through the university you are enrolled in or have been accepted to. Each university determines its own application process and deadlines. Application documents usually include transcripts, a letter of motivation, and reference letters. You should check the "Stipendien" (scholarships) or "Deutschlandstipendium" section on the university's website. For information on general university application processes, you can look here.

Although this scholarship may not provide significant financial relief, it means an additional monthly income of 300 Euros and a prestigious reference you can add to your CV.

#3. Party-Affiliated Foundations Scholarships (Parteinahe Stiftungen)

Foundations affiliated with political parties in Germany offer quite generous scholarships to students who align with their political views and values. These scholarships usually expect academic achievement as well as political or social engagement (volunteering, association activities, etc.).

The main party-affiliated foundations are:

• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS): Associated with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES): Associated with the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

• Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (HBS): Associated with the Green Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen).

• Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung (FNS): Associated with the Free Democratic Party (FDP).

• Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (HSS): Associated with the Christian Social Union (CSU).

• Who can apply? International students can also apply for these scholarships. Generally, German language proficiency (C1 level), good academic achievement, and social/political engagement compatible with the foundation's values are sought.

• Scholarship Amount: Covers monthly living expenses, book allowance, health insurance, and in some cases, travel expenses. Similar to DAAD scholarships, they can provide support of around 934 Euros per month for Master's students and 1,300 Euros for PhD students.

• Application Process: Each foundation has its own application process and timeline. It usually includes online application, a detailed letter of motivation, reference letters, and interview stages. The application process for these scholarships is highly competitive, and early preparation is important.

For more information on the cost of living in Germany, check out this article.

#4. Erasmus+ Joint Master Degree Programmes

Erasmus+ is generally known for student exchange programs, but it also provides funding for full degree programs, especially at the Master's level.

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD): These programs are high-quality Master's programs offered jointly by two or more universities in at least two different European countries. Students have the opportunity to study in different countries during the program.
• Scholarship Amount: These scholarships are quite generous and cover tuition fees, travel and settlement costs, and monthly living expenses (usually around 1,000-1,200 Euros).
• Who can apply? Students from all countries worldwide can apply.
• How to apply? You should find the relevant programs directly through the Erasmus+ program's own website (Erasmus Mundus Catalogue) and apply through the application portals of those programs. Beyond DAAD, you can also use other websites for your Master's program search, such as uni-assist.de, study-in.de, or the universities' own websites directly.

#5. University-Internal Scholarships and Other Funding Options

Some universities or faculties may offer small-scale scholarships or aid funds for international students within their own structures. These are usually very limited in number and apply to specific departments.

• Private Foundations: In Germany, beyond DAAD and party-affiliated foundations, there are hundreds of smaller foundations focusing on specific fields (e.g., engineering, medicine, art) or regions. These foundations are harder to find but worth researching. For example, you can search through platforms like Stifterverband (Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany).
• Student Services (Studierendenwerk): Each university's student services office (Studierendenwerk) provides students with housing, meals, and social counseling services, as well as sometimes small financial aid in very urgent cases or for special needs.
• Part-time Work (Werkstudent/Minijob): International students in Germany have a work permit for a certain period per year (usually 120 full days or 240 half days). Working as a "Werkstudent" (working student) in a company in your field, in particular, provides both financial support and valuable work experience. However, this income source is usually not considered sufficient when applying for a visa, and you are asked to show a Sperrkonto (blocked account).

#Sperrkonto (Blocked Account): What is its Relationship with Scholarships?

When applying for a student visa to Germany, the German government requires proof that you can cover your education and living expenses. This is where the Sperrkonto (blocked account) comes into play. This is a special bank account opened in your name where a certain amount of money (as of 2024, approximately 934 Euros per month, approximately 11,208 Euros per year) is blocked, and you can access a specific portion of it each month.

• Important Note: A Sperrkonto is not a source of funding; it is merely a method of proving your financial solvency. If you receive a scholarship and the scholarship amount covers the monthly blocked account amount (934 Euros), you can submit your scholarship acceptance letter as financial proof during your visa application, and you may not need to open a Sperrkonto. However, if the scholarship amount is below this limit, you may need to supplement the difference with a Sperrkonto. For current and accurate information on this matter, you should contact the consulate or visa application center.

#FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question 1: How do I get a scholarship from a university in Germany? What documents are required? Answer: Getting a direct scholarship from a university in Germany usually happens through the Deutschlandstipendium. You apply for this scholarship via the university's own website. Required documents typically include transcripts, a letter of motivation, a CV, and sometimes reference letters. Each university may have different application conditions and deadlines, so it is important to verify current information on the official website of the university you plan to apply to.

Question 2: Can DAAD scholarships only be applied for through TEV? I couldn't find Turkey in the list of participants on the DAAD website, did I look incorrectly? Answer: No, DAAD scholarships cannot be applied for only through TEV. You can apply directly through DAAD's own online portal via its official website (daad.de). Turkey is one of DAAD's important partner countries, and many scholarship opportunities are available for Turkish students, including special programs.