University of Cologne Sozialstipendium (Social Scholarship)

• EUR 300 per month for at least two semesters (EUR 3,600 per year).
• Private donors cover the full amount of EUR 3,600 for at least one year per scholarship.

Applications are accepted in one annual application phase for funding from the winter semester. The round for winter semester 2025/26 ran from 3 to 28 August 2026. The next phase is planned for August 2027 for winter semester 2027/28. Students not yet enrolled must still apply on time and can submit the enrolment certificate later.

How to apply

1. Register in the university's Deutschlandstipendium application portal (required even for returning applicants).
2. Read the FAQ and the scholarship guidelines.
3. Submit the online application; one application can cover all scholarship types.
4. Check that the application is complete and submitted within the application phase; only complete, timely applications enter selection.
5. Upload documents as PDFs of at most 20 MB per file, merging multiple PDFs into one in the correct order.

Contact

Deutschland- and Sozialstipendium: [email protected], 0221/470-2216. Inclusion scholarship: [email protected], 0221/470-4351.

Official links

• Official scholarship page
• Application page

• CV in tabular form (max. 2 pages).
• Motivation letter (1-2 pages, A4) covering studies, reasons for applying, voluntary or family involvement, awards and career path. Financial need alone should not be the argument.
• Proof of qualification for admission to higher education.
• From the 3rd semester: current transcript of records.
• Master's applicants: Bachelor's certificate and credited overall grade; for foreign Bachelor's degrees, a VPD from uni-assist.
• Training certificate or proof of professional experience, if applicable.
• First-year students: admission letter or certificate of enrolment, if available (may be submitted later).
• Other documents supporting the social criteria, e.g. honorary posts.

• Proof of social need, preferably official certificates.
• Separate sheet listing all monthly financial resources (parents, relatives, BAföG, scholarships, rent subsidies, child benefit, etc.).
• Details of parents' occupation and income, with copies of earnings statements or income tax assessments.
• BAföG notice(s), if applicable.

A Central Awards Committee with representatives of all faculties and other university groups selects recipients. The Rectorate makes the final decision. Applicants are notified by email.