Have you completed vocational training, already gained professional experience and are planning to study or have just started your degree? Then the Advancement Scholarship (Aufstiegsstipendium) could be of interest to you.
The current application period for the Advancement Scholarship runs until 30 November 2026. The scholarship supports experienced professionals who have demonstrated outstanding performance in vocational training and their careers and who would like to pursue their first university degree or are still at the beginning of their studies.
Applicants are generally required to have completed vocational training and to have at least two years of professional experience. You can apply before starting your degree or up until the end of your second semester.
Financial support during your studies
Students enrolled in a full-time degree programme receive €992 per month plus an €80 book allowance, amounting to a total of €1,072 per month. An additional childcare allowance of €160 per child may be available for children under the age of 14. Students pursuing a part-time degree alongside their job can receive up to €3,045 per year. The scholarship is granted independently of income.
In addition to financial support, scholarship holders benefit from a wide range of seminars, regional networking groups and the SBB-StipNet digital network. The SBB also offers opportunities such as insights into companies and mentoring programmes.
How the application process works
The selection process consists of several stages. After the online application, successful applicants proceed to a competence assessment, followed by a selection interview.
Online applications for the current selection round are open until 30 November 2026.
Find out more and apply online
Further information about the Advancement Scholarship, eligibility requirements and the application process is available directly from the Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB): www.sbb-stipendien.de/aufstiegsstipendium
