Study Scholarships (Cologne Gymnasium and Foundation Fund)
Grant scholarships for students to close funding gaps (including study abroad, advanced studies, doctoral studies) and to support timely completion of studies. Application deadlines: February 1 to March 1 and August 1 to September 1.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The study scholarships of the Cologne Gymnasial and Foundation Fund assist students in bridging financing gaps between educational costs and available personal funds and/or other sources of funding. They enable a swift and focused course of study within the standard period of study and promote both the academic talent and the social commitment of the recipients.
Eligible to apply
- Individuals
Funding requirements
- Average grade of the school leaving certificate at least 2.0
- Enrollment from the 3rd semester onwards
- Average grade of academic achievements at least 2.5
- Completion of studies within the standard period of study (max. +30%)
- Completion of studies by the age of 30
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Documents required for application
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Proof of enrollment
- Overview of academic achievements
- High school diploma
- Cost and income overview
- Proof of expenses (rental contract, fees, etc.)
- Proof of income (student and parents)
- University reference
- Proof of family members in education
- Exposé and schedule (for doctoral studies)
- Photograph
Evaluation criteria
- Academic achievements
- Financial need
- Social engagement
Description
The Cologne Gymnasial and Foundation Fund awards nationwide grant-based study scholarships that specifically close financing gaps between education costs and available personal funds or other funding. Studies at state-recognized universities and universities of applied sciences are supported, including academically justified stays abroad, advanced degree programs, and doctoral studies. In addition to financial support of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 euros annually, scholarship recipients benefit from mentoring and educational offerings that enable focused and timely completion of studies within the standard period of study. The initiative also ideologically promotes scientific talent and social engagement equally to ensure a balanced development of professional competencies and social responsibility.
Applicants are primarily students from the third semester onward with demonstrable financial need, average grades of at least 2.0 in the secondary school leaving certificate and 2.5 in previous academic achievements, as well as proof of commitment. The complete application requires, among other documents, a letter of motivation, a tabular CV, proof of enrollment, secondary school diploma, overview of academic records, and income and cost statements. Additionally, applicants must not be older than 30 years at the time of application, and the study program must be expected to be completed within up to 30% beyond the standard period of study. Foreign applicants can only be considered for studies in Germany.
Submission is made digitally via the Foundation Fund’s online application portal. Application deadlines are annually from February 1 to March 1 and from August 1 to September 1. After a positive pre-selection, the responsible parties invite candidates to full-day applicant days, which constitute an essential prerequisite for the final approval.
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