Studienstiftung

The German Academic Scholarship Foundation supports exceptionally talented students and doctoral candidates selected in accordance with its mission statement, which is based upon the principles of achievement, initiative and responsibility. Scholars are admitted through various channels:

1. Nomination by a school: The principal of a high school or school with an upper secondary level can nominate one in 50 senior students for admission to the Studienstiftung. This student must excel both academically and in terms of social commitment. Nominated students attend a three-day selection seminar where their eligibility for funding is assessed in individual interviews and group discussions. 23.8% of students nominated in 2015 were offered admission to the Studienstiftung. There is no set admissions quota for the number of students admitted each year.
2. Nomination by professors: Students at universities and universities of applied science can be nominated directly by university teachers. Again, candidates attend a selection seminar. In 2015, 48.3% of students nominated by their professors were offered admission to the Studienstiftung.
3. Nomination by an examination board: Just as students can be nominated by schools, one in every 50 students in the second academic year in his/her respective study programme can be nominated by universities and universities of applied science. The nomination must be supported by a professor. The selection seminar is organised along the same lines as the selection seminar for students nominated by schools. In this case, however, the candidate's proven academic achievements at university also carry weight. In 2015, 28.8% of nominees were offered admission.
4. Winners of a national or federal competition or nomination by select cooperation partners: Winners of or participants in various competitions on a national, federal or international level (e.g. Bundeswettbewerb Informatik, Bundeswettbewerb Mathematik, Bundeswettbewerb Fremdsprachen, Jugend forscht, Jugend debattiert, Internationale Mathematik-Olympiade, Internationale Physik-Olympiade, Altsprachenwettbewerb des Landes Baden-Württemberg) may be offered admission to the Studienstiftung. Select cooperation partners (e.g. START-Stiftung) may also nominate potential sponsorship candidates.
5. Since February 2010,[8] candidates can also put themselves forward for a scholarship. First and second-semester students can sign up for the Studienstiftung assessment test in January/February/March[9] each year. The test is held at test centres throughout Germany. The applicants with the best results are invited to attend the selection seminar. While the assessment test determines applicants' cognitive abilities, the selection seminar focuses on motivation, extracurricular interests, social commitment and social skills, which are assessed in personal interviews and group discussions.
6. Nomination by alumni: Studienstiftung alumni may also nominate students who they consider appropriate, having taught them personally in school or university courses.
7. Support of musicians and artists: After an internal pre-selection procedure, universities can nominate students of the fine arts, music and the performing arts for participation in a Studienstiftung selection seminar.
8. Doctoral sponsorship: Highly qualified and socially committed PhD students may, together with their supervisors, submit an application for support for their doctoral studies.

If admission occurs before the end of the fourth semester, sponsorship is usually granted until the end of the sixth semester. An extension of the scholarship beyond the sixth semester usually depends on academic performance in the first four semesters. In borderline cases, aspects other than academic achievements – such as exceptional social engagement or particular personal circumstances – may positively influence the decision to approve further funding. After an application has been approved, funding is awarded from the 6th semester until studies are completed (for example, until the master's degree or state examinations have been completed). In 2014, 91% of requests for further funding were approved.

The Studienstiftung supports scholars both financially and academically.

• In 2015, the Studienstiftung approved 2,391 student grants and around 350 doctoral scholarships.
• In 2015, 65.2% of scholarship holders received a study expense allowance of €300, 21.3% received a partial scholarship and 13.5% a full scholarship:
• Over 90% of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation budget in 2015 was publicly funded.
• In recent years, the Studienstiftung has significantly increased the number of students from non-academic backgrounds and ethnic minorities: Currently 30% of scholarship holders come from non-academic backgrounds and 18% from an ethnic minority.
• 47.8% of scholarship holders with a student scholarship in 2015 were women, and women accounted for 57.3% of doctoral scholarships.

• Schweizerische Studienstiftung
• National Merit Scholarship Program

• Anant Agarwala: Wie sich die Stipendiaten der Studienstiftung ändern. Die Spitze wird bunter, in: Die Zeit 21/2016.
• Annette Julius: Vielfalt als Ressource – Programme und Maßnahmen der Studienstiftung im Hinblick auf unterrepräsentierte Gruppen. Beitrag zu den Ergebnissen der 2011/2012 durchgeführten Evaluierung der Auswahlverfahren der Studienstiftung, Bonn 2014.
• Annette Julius: Persönlichkeiten fördern, in: Roth, Gerhard / Hartung, Manuel (Hg.): Ressource Begabung: Wie kann Deutschland sein Potenzial besser nutzen?. Berlin University Press, 2013, S. 112 - 126.
• Rolf-Ulrich Kunze: Die Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes seit 1925. Zur Geschichte der Hochbegabtenförderung in Deutschland. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin 2001, ISBN 3-05-003638-9.
• Thomas Ludwig: „Studenten sind nicht mehr Kinder reicher Leute.“ Die soziale Struktur der Studienstiftung seit 1925, in: Jahresbericht der Studienstiftung 2009, S. 105-121.
• Thomas Röbke: Mit besten Empfehlungen: Wer ein Stipendium der Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes ergattert, ist fein raus – doch was tun, wenn niemand einen vorschlägt? In: Die Zeit. Nr. 33/2002.
• Zentrum für Evaluation und Methoden (ZEM) der Universität Bonn: Evaluierung des Auswahlverfahrens der Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes e.V., Bonn 2012.

Studienstiftung und Zeitgeschichte

• Nik Afanasjew: RAF und die Studienstiftung: Aus Stipendiaten wurden Terroristen. In: Der Tagesspiegel. 3. Oktober 2011.

• Alumni der Studienstiftung e.V.
• Selbstbewerbung für ein Stipendium