Apart from the full and partial scholarships that the Hertie School offers, there are a number of external financing possibilities. These may include private and public foundations, banks and other national or international institutions. We recommend you consider external funding options early on.
The Student Funding Office can assist you in finding the right mix of grants, loans, and awards. Learn more about different external funding options using our Funding Navigator, and don't hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.
*The scholarships and awards in the navigator are NOT directly administered by the Hertie School unless stated otherwise. This list is intended to direct you to other organisations which may be able to offer assistance. Additional information is available from the contact addresses or website links. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with the structure and formalities of these initiatives and consider the contract clauses carefully to determine the funding option that will suit you best during your studies.
The Hertie School cooperates with some funding organisations worldwide:
Europe
Brain Capital GmbH
Phone: +49 261 450 934 90
https://hertie.braincapital.de
Email: info[at]braincapital[dot]de
Brain Capital offers a flexible concept for students with EU citizenship or a permanent EU work permit to finance their studies based on the idea of the Generation Contract, "Umgekehrte Generationenvertrag (UGV)". Brain Capital will cover up to 100% of tuition fees. Recipients begin repayments when a fixed minimum income is reached. Repayments last for a maximum of 10 years and are based on the recipient's earnings, the maximum being 9,5% of the total income. Brain Capital additionally offers career advice and coaching during your studies and after graduation.
CHANCEN eG
Phone: +49 230 228 946 30
https://chancen-eg.de/partner/hertie
Email: info[at]chancen-eg[dot]de
CHANCEN eG offers financial support for German and European citisens through an Income Share Agreement (ISA) covering up to 100% of tuition fees. Recipients set a maximum repayment limit and begin repayment when the minimum income threshold is reached. Repayment is income-based and agreed upon on a case-by-case basis, meaning this financing option is tailored to each student’s needs.
Deutsche Bildung AG
Phone: +49 699 203 954 50
https://www.deutsche-bildung.de
Email: hallo@deutsche-bildung.de
Deutsche Bildung AG is an educational funding organisation that offers financial support to German and EU citizens through an Income Share Agreement (ISA). This funding option can be used to cover both tuition fees and living expenses. Deutsche Bildung offers monthly or lump-sum payments to allow students to fully concentrate on their studies. Furthermore, access to Deutsche Bildung Academy provides students with the skills to succeed in their studies and early careers.
Studentische Darlehnskasse e.V.
www.dakaberlin.de
Email mail[at]dakaberlin[dot]de
DAKA offers students the opportunity to finance their studies regardless of personal factors such as their parents’ income, the student's age, nationality or their field of studies. The loan is paid out in monthly instalments and charged with a fixed interest rate. Repayment begins 6 months after the last disbursement and may be extended by another 6 months. Depending on the financial situation, it is possible to agree on an individual repayment.
Deutsche Bank - Personal Loan for tuition fees
Email: Christian Weichhart christian.weichhart[at]db[dot]com
Deutsche Bank offers a personal loan for tuition if you have citizenship in the EU or residency in Germany, hold a German employment contract (more than 6 months), pay taxes in Germany and hold a German bank account. For further information, please get in touch directly with Christian Weichhart.
North America
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) offers student loans financed by both the Ontario government and federal government. The maximum amount for full-time students is 210 C$ per week. It covers tuition fees and living expenses.
For questions and requests, please get in touch with the Student Life team at us-loans[at]hertie-school[dot]org
Student loans
Questions: Student Life us-loans[at]hertie-school[dot]org
Since January 2013 the Hertie School has been accredited by the US Department of Education, making it the second university in Germany to fulfill the US agency's strict requirements regarding the quality of study programmes and overall financial stability. US applicants who are accepted by the Hertie School can apply for the following loans:
- US Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- US Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Aid
Deferment loans
Questions: Student Life us-loans[at]hertie-school[dot]org
The Hertie School is authorised to certify "in-school" loan deferment applications for US students. An in-school loan deferment suspends a student's obligation to repay prior US Federal Student Loans while enrolled. Students must be enrolled at the Hertie School on a minimum half-time basis to receive loan deferments.
Please download the form. The Hertie School’s Office Postsecondary Education Identifier (OPE ID) is: 04128700.
An authorised personnel of the Hertie School must sign the deferment form. Alternatively, the Hertie School may attach its own enrolment certification report listing the required information.
Latin America
Vetor Brasil Fellowship
In this partnership programme with Vetor Brasil, the Hertie School will guarantee Vetor Brasil alumni and staff members at least a 25% tuition waiver upon admission to the Master of Public Policy, Master of International Affairs, Master of Data Science for Public Policy or Executive Master of Public Administration.
This fellowship is for applicants who have successfully completed their traineeship and staff members that currently work at Vetor Brasil, who wish to pursue a degree in public policy, data science, international affairs or public administration at the Hertie School.
ANID- Becas Chile
https://www.anid.cl
As of November 2018, the Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo -ANID- (former CONICYT) and the Hertie School have a mutual scholarship programme for graduate students. Students can apply for Becas Chile, which covers tuition fees after a discount, living expenses, a return ticket in economy class and health insurance.
The Hertie School will grant 25% tuition waivers to up to 3 students supported by Becas Chile.
The agreement can be found here.
Colfuturo
www.colfuturo.org/
Email: yosoyfuturo[at]colfuturo[dot]org
Since October 2017, the Hertie School has had a cooperation agreement with Colfuturo in order to promote Colombians' access to high-quality postgraduate education. Colfuturo offers a scholarship-loan support model, which can provide students with up to US$25.000 per year for a maximum of 2 years. In total, students can get up to US$50.000 and can use the money as they wish to cover their tuition, living expenses and/or campus fees.
Students may be awarded a 40% scholarship of the loaned amount if they complete their degree, return to Colombia and remain in the country for at least 3 years. They can get up to 40% in additional scholarship money if they work for at least 3 years outside Bogotá in the public or academic sector.
The Hertie School will grant 25% tuition waivers to up to 5 students supported by Colfuturo. Additionally, it will award one full scholarship per year. See the COLFUTURO-Hertie School Scholarship for more information.
FIDERH - Fund for Human Resource Development Mexico
www.fiderh.org.mx
Email: fiderh[at]banxico.org[dot]mx
FIDERH and the Hertie School started a collaboration in 2017. The target is to provide financial assistance for talented Mexican students through a joint Loan-Tuition Fee support programme.
The Hertie School will grant 25% tuition waivers to up to 10 students supported by FIDERH.
FUNED
www.funedmx.org
Email: funed[at]funedmx[dot]org
FUNED supports Mexican students with a loan scholarship of US$5,000 to US$30,000. 90% of the loan scholarship is provided by EdukPro with a fixed interest rate of 7.95%. After graduation, the beneficiary starts repayment after 6 months, followed by a 5-year period.
The Hertie School will grant 50% tuition waivers to up to 3 students supported by FUNED.
Asia
WeMakeScholars
https://www.wemakescholars.com/university/hertie-school-of-governance/abroad-education-loan
The Hertie School is an accredited partner of WeMakeScholars, an organisation which supports admitted students from India in the process of securing an education loan to finance their studies.
Indian students admitted to the Hertie School’s graduate programmes can request more information from the admissions team or fill out the form on the WeMakeScholars Hertie School webpage to speak with a dedicated financial officer.
The WeMakeScholars financial officer will meet with the student one-on-one to go over the different types of loan options for which prospective students are eligible, as well as any necessary documents for the education loan application.
Teach for India Fellowship
In this fellowship with our partner Teach for India (TFI), the Hertie School will guarantee TFI alumni and staff members at least a 25% tuition waiver upon admission to the Master of Public Policy, Master of International Affairs, Master of Data Science for Public Policy or Executive Master of Public Administration.
This partnership programme is for applicants who have successfully completed their TFI Fellowship and staff members who have worked with TFI for a period of at least 20 months, who wish to pursue a degree in public policy, data science, international affairs or public administration.
Bank of China
www.bankofchina.com
The Bank of China offers loans to cover tuition fees and living expenses for studying abroad at various stages of the student's study, including pursuing a master's or doctoral degree.
Coverage:
- Max 90% of the total amount of the student's tuition fees and living expenses.
- Security Deposit
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)
www.icbc.com.cn
The ICBC offers a Overseas Study Loan to Chinese students studying abroad. The loan covers most of the cost involved in studying for a master's or doctoral degree at the Hertie School.
Coverage:
- Tuition fees, miscellaneous fees and living expenses
- Security Deposit
Specific funding for Executive MPA
Support from employer
Many of our part-time Executive MPA participants receive some sort of support from their employer. This can be in the form of non-financial support, such as more flexibility or extra-leave, but also financial support. Seminars and certificates are often supported by the employer as an integral part of continuing education.
Modular enrolment
A modular enrolment into the Executive MPA Programme is possible via the Executive Seminars and Certificates. All courses offered are Executive MPA seminars of 2-4 days each. Certificate participants select a certain academic focus and accomplish four courses (11 days in total) within a period of one or two years. There are no scholarships or reductions of the tuition for this programme, but credits earned can be recognised if a participant later starts with the Executive MPA (all tuition fees paid for seminars and certificates are offset against the Executive MPA tuition fees).
- Employees of the higher civil service ("höherer Dienst") working for German Federal Ministries and their subordinate agencies can be financially supported. Please contact your personnel department or empa-admissions[at]hertie-school[dot]org for details.
- In most German federal states, legislation allows employees to attend continuing education courses (paid educational leave - "Bildungsurlaub") for several working days per year with no loss in earnings. Please check your state government for further details.
- In Germany and many other countries, tuition fees are also fully tax-deductible as professional training expenses.
Scholarships for current students
Questions: studentlife[at]hertie-school[dot]org
This scholarship is advertised by the Ministry of Education and Research and aims to support students studying in Germany with a monthly amount of 300 euros for 12 months. For more information please have a look at the ministry's website.
To be eligible for the grant you must meet the following criteria:
- Students of all master’s programmes with no further financial aid such as a Hertie School tuition waiver, scholarship, travel grant, etc.
- Full-time enrolment at the Hertie School for at least 12 more months
- Submit all required application documents before the deadline (July 15th 2023)
Required application documents:
- Submitted online request on MyStudies
- Explanatory statement
- Most recent transcript (bachelor's or master's)
- CV
For further questions please contact Student Life team to studentlife[at]hertie-school[dot]org
Work and study
Many students find that combining their studies with a part-time job a useful way to get the most out of their graduate school experience. We offer various student assistant positions within our administration, across our Centres of Competence and with our research projects. You can find more information about vacancies here.
Non-EU/EEA students are also able to work in Germany alongside their studies up to 20 hours per week. In total, students can work for 120 full days or 240 half days per year.
