Financing your ISM Studies

Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)

The ISM also participates in the nationwide Deutschlandstipendium, which is a German public-private scholarship. Since the winter semester 2012/2013, students and first-year students in Germany have had the opportunity to receive funding through the Deutschlandstipendium. The alliance of civil society engagement and state funding by the federal government is aimed at Bachelor's and Master's students of all disciplines, regardless of whether they are studying full-time, distance learning or part-time, and whose academic and professional careers promise outstanding achievements. The scholarship is completely merit-based and is granted regardless of parental status.

This is an attractive support program for top-performing young students. Scholarship holders receive 300 euros per month for one year - half from the federal government and the other half from companies. The Deutschlandstipendium supports particularly high-achieving students and applicants who also demonstrate social commitment. The average grade must be better than 2.0.

Scholarship holders benefit not only financially, but also in terms of ideas: through ‘your’ sponsor, you will establish a wide range of important contacts in practice.

Please note: The ISM Scholarship and the Deutschlandstipendium are NOT combinable! Get more information here. If you have any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Application periods:

-  June 1 -  July 31 of the respective year  (for fall term)
-  December 1 - January 31 of the respective year (for spring term)

Scholarships from foundations

Foundation Scholarships

There are many foundations where scholarships can be applied for by our international students. You can find information on scholarships and types of funding on the following websites: mystipendium.de, stipendiumplus.de, stipendienlotse.de.

In addition, there are numerous private foundations without denominational or party ties. To get an overview, we recommend a look at the website e-fellows.net.

Dortmunder-Volksbank-Foundation Scholarship

The Dortmunder-Volksbank-Foundation awards for each - spring and fall term - a semester abroad scholarship in the amount of 2500 Euro unique to 4th semester (Bachelor) or 3rd semester (Master) students of ISM in Dortmund. In the 3rd Bachelor semester and 2nd Master semester the students choose from the university network of the ISM another university, where they spend their integrated term abroad.

Often the choice of a foreign university depends on the costs, course content and location of the partner university. Therefore, the Dortmunder-Volksbank-Foundation in cooperation with the ISM Funding Committee want to enable highly qualified students to choose the desired university without financial worries. For more information, please visit our Study Financing Brochure (PDF).

Please submit your application digitally per This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (International Office). Only complete applications can be considered.

For further information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (full-time students) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (exchange students).

ISM Education Fund

ISM Education Fund

Study first, pay later: The Reverse Generation Contract (UGV) is an innovative model for financing studies. During their studies, students do not have to pay any or only pay a part of the tuition fees. After completing their studies, and only if they have reached a stable minimum income, those receiving support make an income-related contribution back to the ISM education fund. The amount of the repayments is linked to the income earned and thus to the personal ability to pay.

To apply, you need to be a citizen of a EU-country or hold a permanent, unrestricted work and resident permit for a EU-country. Basic knowledge of German is required as well. If you meet these requirements, you can apply. When reviewing the applications, we pay close attention to your academic and practical experiences. The student contract with the university does not yet have to be signed.

These payments enable subsequent generations of ISM students to complete their studies without the burden of tuition fees. In this way, the "old" finance the studies of the "young". The ISM education fund is available to students from full-time programs.

Education Loan

Education Loan

From the 5th Bachelor semester and for all Master students, there is also the possibility of using the Education Loan of the German Education & Research Ministry. Students who are already advanced in their studies (from approx. 5th semester) receive the so-called education loans from the BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung/Federal Ministry of Education and Research) at very favorable conditions, also for their time of studying abroad. Please find the exact conditions of the education loan here.