I’ve been a DAAD scholar. I received DAAD scholarship of 3000€ for 6 months for my master’s thesis in Germany. Prior to my admission to a German university, I had applied for a scholarship to study master’s in KTH Stockholm, Sweden (a Swedish university) and I was granted that scholarship. While applying for these two (and others that I wasn’t granted) I avoided these mistakes.

In my personal experience, this is what I’ve learned when it comes to applying for scholarships.

1. Apply for multiple scholarships but not too many.
2. Make sure the scholarship you’re applying for is really fitting your candidature.
3. If possible, contact people who’ve been awarded the scholarship(s) you’re planning to apply for.
4. Take your time when it comes to writing your motivation letter (why should you get it).
5. Find people who can recommend you for the scholarship with true and supportive LORs.

Now when it specifically comes to scholarships for Germany, here are some tips.

1. There are some scholarships that are offered for all sorts of courses, like DAAD. Go to their website and check the details.
2. Some scholarships are offered only for specific courses like computer science. An MBA student cannot get it no matter how good her/his scores are. So make sure that you’re applying for the right one.
3. Some scholarships are offered by the university itself for students who are pursuing a course in that university. Look for such scholarships and apply on time.
4. Some scholarships are only for international students. Try to keep your eyes open for them.
5. Keep talking to your professors or advisors about scholarships they’re aware of. Sometimes there are scholarships from funds that must be awarded and you as a student are not aware of it.
6. Some scholarships are only for females to promote females in STEM. So if you’re a female student or know someone, let them know about it and apply.

Regarding your application letter, I’d recommend you check what exactly your scholarship is demanding. An application letter is mainly representing you in your absence. So make sure you take time to write a thorough yet precise without grammatical and other errors. It should have a formal tone and encompass both your technical and nontechnical skills. Most importantly, it should mention why should you be given the scholarship or why you deserve to have it.

Here’s a list of a few scholarships for Germany, in case you’re wondering. 😊