SER - Scholarships & Awards

1. I have a German nationality but did not go to school there or lived in Germany before. Can I apply?

> No, due to the clear guidelines we cannot accept your application, even though you may not identify as German.

2. I am eligible for two scholarships. Can I apply for both?

> It is only possible to apply for one scholarship at the same time. If you are eligible for more, please choose one and apply for it. Generally, there are more applications for "Study Completion" as for "Committed Students".

3. I have received a (STIBET) scholarship before. Can I apply?

> Yes, you can apply! Same applies when receiving any KLU scholarship. However, please indicate the scholarship in the application form to avoid any legal implications.

4. What happens if I receive a scholarship but my situation changes (i.e. hand in the thesis earlier, earn more than EUR 1.000 per month)?

> That can happen, however, you need to inform Student Services immediately about changes to your situation. Your scholarship rate might be adapted.

5. Some of my grades are not yet entered and I do not have enough credits. Can I apply?

> Yes, you may apply but hand in the last grade(s) and the new transcript of records by May 1. If you cannot achieve that by that date due to internal delays, we can communicate with the International Office and Registrar's Office directly.

6. What is a good academic performance, why don't you give an average grade?

> Good academic performance is not based solely on the grade average, but may include other factors like general performance and behavior during the course of study.

7. I do have a blocked bank account until April 2025 and with that my monthly income of 1000€ exceeds the limit. Can I apply?

> If your blocked bank account only provides you funds until April 2025, you can apply. Please indicate your blocked bank account in the last row of the financial table. Alternatively, you may indicate it in the monthly row like this: January 2025: 934€ blocked bank account, 520€ student job.

Application requirements

• Your academic performance is good to very good.
• You are close to completing your studies: successful completion is expected within one year (you have already registered your thesis or have at least completed 50% of the credits (Bachelor) or 40% (Master) of your total studies).
• Through no fault of your own you find yourself in financial difficulties during the final phase of your studies.
• You do not receive any income from paid employment or social benefits (BAföG, Wohngeld) exceeding EUR 1,000 monthly.
• You do not receive any other scholarships during the funding period (especially if funded by the DAAD or Foreign Ministry).
• You have not been granted a graduation scholarship before/during the funding period.

Scholarship rate, funding period and scholarship duration

Scholarship rate:
EUR 350 per month

Funding period:
May 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025

Duration of scholarship:
6 months (or until the earlier deadline for the submission of your final thesis); an extension is not possible.

Required documents

• STIBET Scholarship application form.
• Current transcript of records from MyKLU.
• If applicable: confirmation of thesis registration.
• On request further proof of income: current bank statement(s) (1-page bank statement with the current account balance, tax assessment from parents, etc.).
• If you have less than the needed 40/50% of credits you may apply in case some grades are not yet online. However, you must proof until August 31, 2025 that you completed 50% of the credits (Bachelor) or 40% (Master) of your total studies. Therefore, you must submit your transcript twice:

- the first time by the end of the application period April 7 (even if less than 40/50% of the credits have been achieved or the thesis has not yet been registered)
- the second time by  August 31, 2025 (by this date the 40/50% of the credits must have been achieved or the thesis must have been registered).

Application requirements

• Your academic performance is good to very good.
• You do not receive any income from paid employment or social benefits (BAföG, Wohngeld) exceeding EUR 1,000 monthly.
• You do not receive any other scholarships during the funding period (especially if funded by the DAAD or Foreign Ministry).
• You face a special challenge, for example (at least one characteristic must be fulfilled):

1. You have a refugee background (refugee students from Ukraine, Iran and other war and crisis zones).
2. You care for a child/children up to the age of 12 in your own household (especially single parents).
3. You care for a first or second-degree relative.
4. You have a degree of disability of at least 50% or a chronic illness.
5. Other special challenges and life circumstances apply.

Please describe in the application form to what extent you are affected by one of the special challenges listed in the call for applications and enclose suitable evidence with the application. This can be, for example: severely disabled person's pass, medical certificates, official documents, child's birth certificate, etc. You may redact information that is not necessary for your application.

Scholarship rate, funding period and scholarship duration

Scholarship rate:
EUR 350 per month

Funding period:
May 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025

Duration of scholarship:
6 months; no extension possible

Required documents

• STIBET Scholarship application form.
• Current transcript of records from MyKLU.
• Proof (in German or English) of the special challenges and circumstances (official documents, certificates or other evidence), for example:
• Proof of application for asylum or other suitable proof of refugee background, copy of current residence status; for refugees from third countries (citizenship other than the country from which you were forced to flee from): copy of the last residence permit or other official proof from the country from which you had to flee.
• Birth certificate(s) of the child/children and, in the case of single parents, a copy of the tenancy agreement.
• Proof of a degree of disability of at least 50% (severely disabled person's pass) or medical certificate of chronic illness.
• Proof of the person in need of care, registration certificate showing the address of the person in need of care, birth certificate(s) stating the relationship.
•  Proof of other special challenges and life circumstances.

Application requirements

• Your academic performance is good to very good.
• You are engaged in intercultural activities at KLU or outside KLU, such as mentoring international students or assisting in cultural events. Please list and attach certificates.
• You do not receive any income from paid employment or social benefits (BAföG, Wohngeld) exceeding EUR 1,000 monthly.
• You do not receive any other scholarships during the funding period (especially if funded by the DAAD or Foreign Ministry).

What is considered as engagement in the international context at KLU?

• Active involvement in an international context at KLU is the basis for an application for the committed student scholarship. Such a commitment is often also referred to as an honorary position.

Your engagement should fulfill the following criteria:

• It must have begun at least during the semester before the start of the scholarship (future engagements cannot be considered).
• It officially counts as a volunteer position (= activities that are carried out for others in a self-determined and non-profit manner and are oriented towards the common good) and is only marginally compensated, if at all.
• It should have a minimum duration of 6 months. In the case of a shorter commitment, a high level of impact must be demonstrated.
• Please provide written proof (from the respective department at KLU or any institution or association outside of KLU) about the duration, scope and nature of the social or intercultural commitment (with official letterhead of the institution and contact details of the person issuing the certificate).

Scholarship rate, funding period and scholarship duration

Scholarship rate:
EUR 350 per month

Funding period:
May 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025

Duration of scholarship:
6 months; an extension is not possible.

Required documents

• STIBET Scholarship application form.
• Current transcript of records from MyKLU.
• Written proof / certificates of engagement.