Funding (exchange programs)

In addition to being exempt from tuition fees, participants also receive a country-specific study grant ranging from 540 to 600 EUR per month for a funding period that is recalculated annually based on the approved funds and may be shorter than the actual duration of their stay. “Students with fewer opportunities” (those with a chronic illness or disability, those traveling with a child or children, or first-time university students) can also apply for additional funding of 250 EUR per month upon submission of appropriate documentation; however, this additional funding for working students will no longer be available at Leuphana starting with the 2026 project cycle. In certain cases, students with a child or children, a disability, or a chronic illness may also apply for additional funds to cover extra costs incurred abroad by submitting an application for actual expenses through the IC. Please get in touch with us so that we can verify your eligibility.

Erasmus study grants can often be combined with other forms of financial aid, such as educational loans (Bildungskredit) and the Germany Scholarships (Deutschlandstipendien).

BAföG for Study Abroad: For students receiving BAföG for study abroad, 300 EUR per month is exempt from the income limit. Top-ups for “students with limited opportunities” are not counted toward the Bafög limit for students with children, students with disabilities, and students with chronic illnesses. For working students and first-time university students, the top-up was/is counted toward the Bafög for studying abroad.

Detailed information about the Erasmus+ Program for study abroad programs can be found here.

At partner universities outside Europe, you usually do not have to pay tuition fees (the few exceptions are marked accordingly in the call for applications and in our database). To cover travel and/or living expenses, the following scholarship programs are particularly suitable:

• DAAD PROMOS Scholarships for up to 6-month study stays outside Europe (announcement by the International Center)
• DAAD scholarships for one-year study stays abroad (not available for Erasmus program countries and the United Kingdom)

The largest scholarship provider for students, graduates, doctoral candidates, and university teachers is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). In the DAAD scholarship database, you will also find information about other scholarship providers. Please carefully check whether applications are possible for participants in exchange programs and/or international students. Information is available in German only.

Study abroad can be funded through “Auslandsbafög”, which depends on the parents’ income. Auslandsbafög is a German government financial aid program that provides support to students. Different assessment limits apply for domestic and foreign funding, so students who do not receive domestic Bafög may still be eligible for funding abroad, depending on the costs. Further information is available here.

International students please check here to find out whether you are eligible to apply (in German only).