SBW Berlin Scholarship for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students | Fully Funded

Scholarships for International

The SBW Berlin Scholarship is one of the leading programs that supports talented young people from outside Germany who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to social engagement and aspire to use the knowledge and skills they gain during their studies in Germany to benefit their home communities through sustainable, non-profit social projects.

The program aims to enable these young individuals to pursue their undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Berlin or Potsdam, offering comprehensive financial and living support—on the condition that recipients dedicate their post-graduation efforts to serving their home country through a sustainable social project.

Scholarship Objectives

The SBW Berlin Scholarship seeks to support international students who have a proven record of social or volunteer work and who plan to apply their academic experience to create or develop social or charitable projects in their home countries.

The scholarship is awarded based on three main criteria:

Academic and professional competence.
Personal suitability.
Financial need.

All academic, social, and artistic fields of study are eligible. In certain special cases, vocational training in Berlin or Potsdam may also be funded.

Target Group

The scholarship targets foreign students from countries requiring particular developmental support, especially those in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America.

Students who already receive financial aid from another scholarship in Germany are not eligible to apply, except those receiving support under the German BAföG law, in which case the SBW Berlin Scholarship amount will be adjusted accordingly.

Financial Benefits

The scholarship covers the entire duration of study (up to a maximum of 48 months) and includes:

A furnished room in a shared student apartment in Berlin.
A monthly living allowance of 480 EUR.
Full tuition fee coverage.
A travel allowance for transportation to and from Berlin (up to 500 EUR within Europe and 1,000 EUR outside Europe).

Recipients are generally not allowed to take on part-time jobs during the scholarship period.

Duration and Continuity

The scholarship is granted for a period ranging between 30 days and 48 months, depending on the length of the degree program.

At the end of each semester, student performance is reviewed to determine continued eligibility, focusing on:

Good academic performance.
Actual progress in the social project.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be between 18 and 30 years old.
Have verified professional or volunteer experience in a non-profit social organization (with a letter of recommendation from that organization).
Not have resided in Germany for more than 18 months before application.
Hold an educational qualification that entitles them to university study.
Have a minimum GPA equivalent to 2.0 in the German grading system.
Have no first-degree relatives permanently residing in Germany.
Demonstrate low net household income in accordance with the standards of their home country.
Apply before starting their studies or within the first three semesters of a university degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s).
Commit to returning to their home country and working there for at least 18 months after graduation, or engaging in charitable activities in Germany until the repayment plan (if applicable) is fulfilled.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round, with no fixed deadlines and no application or processing fees.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents:

A recommendation letter from a social institution or organization (sent directly via email to [email protected]).
The application form (link provided to shortlisted candidates).
A description of the social project (2–5 pages).
Proof of university entrance qualification or high school diploma.
Detailed proof of family net income.
The most recent academic transcript showing GPA and grades.
A copy of the highest academic qualification obtained.

Preferred additional documents (if available):

Letter of admission from a university in Berlin or Potsdam.
International language proficiency certificate for the language of study.
Certificates of previous training or employment.
Additional recommendation letters from professors or employers.

All documents must be in German or English. Non-certified copies and simple translations are acceptable during the first application stage.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of three stages:

Initial screening of recommendation letters to determine eligibility for the application form.
Detailed evaluation of the academic and financial status of shortlisted candidates.
Interview (in-person or online) discussing the applicant’s social project and its implementation plan for the first six months.

A final decision is made afterward.

Verification After Acceptance

Accepted applicants will be required to submit official copies of:

Passport and student visa.
Proof of family income.
Grade conversion reports to the German grading system.
All previous academic certificates and updated records.
An internationally recognized language certificate.

The final project details will also be determined and formally included in the scholarship contract.

Post-Graduation Commitments and Repayment

After completing the scholarship, recipients have two options:

Return to their home country and work on developing their social project for at least 18 months — in this case, no repayment is required.
Remain in Germany after completing their studies — in this case, the scholarship must be repaid in 12 monthly, interest-free installments, starting three months after graduation.

Important Notes

Scholarship holders must promptly inform SBW Berlin of any changes in personal circumstances and submit copies of their certificates and academic records after each semester.

Additional obligations are outlined in the individual scholarship agreement for each recipient.