German Studies Scholarships

Gain an Edge in U.S.-European Affairs

The cultural melting pot of the United States contains a heavy dose German lineage, and German educational traditions are perpetuated with dedicated German immersion schools.  Consider just a few of the good reasons to study German at the post-secondary level: more than 120 million people around the world speak German; it is the official language at many conferences; and it is similar to English. German education leads to employment opportunities in the areas of banking, education, science, communications, and government.

Scholarship programs are available for students pursuing college credentials in German studies.  Whether you are an American citizen studying in your home country, a student looking to study abroad, or a German national studying in the U.S., ethnically-inspired financial aid serves your educational agenda.

Scholarship Programs

The University of Cincinnati, Department of German Studies

The Department offers several awards for students majoring or minoring in German Studies. For example, Lena K. Suter Scholarships provide funds ranging from $500-$5,000 each year. To be considered, interested applicants are asked to submit letters setting-out the reasons why each applicant chose to study German. Cash awards of $500 and $1,000 are also distributed each year to those students who have distinguished themselves academically.

The University of Arizona, Department of German Studies

Undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as those attending graduate school, are eligible to apply for Weinel Memorial Scholarships. Several students receive between $750 and $1,500 annually. German majors who have obtained a GPA of at least 3.5 are eligible to apply. A letter of application, in German, and the names of two faculty members who can provide recommendations for each candidate, are required for consideration.

The University of Toledo, Department of Foreign Languages

Incoming freshmen and returning undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the Marianne Bigney Scholarship Award in German Studies. First-year students must have completed at least two years of German in high school and obtained a grade of a B or higher, in order to be considered for funding. These students must enroll in a minimum of two German courses at the University and maintain at least a B average there, as well. The maximum amount awarded to first-year students is $1,000 each.

Returning undergraduate students are required to complete at least one German course in each term of the year in which they will receive scholarship funding. Up to $1,500 is awarded annually, and the funding may be renewed for up to three years. Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from German instructors.

DAAD Scholarships

U.S. and Canadian citizens, as well as applicants from certain other countries, are eligible to compete for several scholarships offered by DAAD. Opportunities are available for qualified individuals from the undergraduate to the post-doctoral ranks, to study German abroad. Application forms for various funding options are available online.  Recipients are selected based on merit.

Connecticut College, John S. King Scholarship

Sophomores and juniors majoring or minoring in German, who have already been accepted into summer programs in German-speaking countries, for the purpose of studying language and culture, are eligible for additional funding from Connecticut College. All qualified applicants, for John King Scholarships, are asked to write personal statements disclosing where they will be studying in the summer, why they chose to study German, and how their studies will contribute to their educational and career goals.

The University of Arizona, Department of German Studies

Students who intend to participate in the Summer Study in Leipzig Program are invited to apply for the German Heritage Club Scholarship. The Scholarship provides between $200 and $500 in annual funding, for each summer session winner. It should be noted that this scholarship is open to all students, regardless of declared major.

The University of Arizona-Tucson offers a number of other Department scholarships, as well.

Grand Valley State University, Michigan, Department of Modern Languages and Literature

Undergraduate and graduate students from foreign countries are eligible to apply for the University’s International Student Scholarships. These scholarships are designed to cover the difference between tuition fees for residents of Michigan and non-resident students. They are renewable as long as the student is enrolled full-time at Grand Valley State, achieves a GPA between 2.85-3.25, depending on the scholarship, and maintains his or her immigration status.

University of Indianapolis, Department of Modern Languages

International students pursuing undergraduate degrees in German studies are eligible to apply for several different scholarship programs offered by the University.

The Dean’s Scholarship provides $9,500 per annum to first-year students who placed in the upper 5-7% of their graduating classes and achieved a score of 1270 or above on their SAT. Freshmen who placed in the top 15% of their class and scored 1100 or more on their SAT may be awarded $5,800 per year under the provisions of the Alumni Scholarship Program. Other scholarships designed to help cover the cost of tuition are available for those who have distinguished themselves academically. Applicants who can provide confirmation of participation in mainstream organized religions or community service agencies are eligible to receive $2,500 each.

College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University, Minnesota

Renewable scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 each, are offered to international students annually. Academic achievement and financial need are considered when awarding scholarships. Application forms are available online.

Wayne State University – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Worthy applicants compete for valuable scholarship resources within the German department at WSU.  Uwe Faulhaber Endowed Scholarships are worth between $500 and $1000 for annual recipients.  German studies minors also qualify for financial aid, valued at $250 for each winner.