Frequently Asked Questions about HNEE Deutschlandstipendium
Who can apply?
All students on all degree courses offered at HNE Eberswalde who can provide evidence of above-average academic performance and social commitment. Guest students and visiting students may not apply.
Is the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship linked to any particular faculties?
Up to two-thirds of the available scholarships may be linked to specific faculties. The exact number of faculty-linked scholarships is specified in the call for applications for the respective funding period. In principle, however, at least one-third of the scholarships are available to students in all faculties.
I am not a German national but am registered at HNE Eberswalde. Can I apply for the HNEE Deutschlandstipendium scholarship?
Yes, if you are properly registered at HNE Eberswalde and are not attending the university via an exchange programme (e.g., Erasmus).
When do I apply for the HNEE Deutschlandstipendium scholarship?
The HNEE Deutschlandstipendium scholarship is awarded every year for the winter semester. The application period for current students is June, new students can apply in August. The specific application deadlines are available on our website as of mid-May.
I am not sure whether my grades are sufficient for a scholarship. How can I find out whether I qualify?
The
scholarship is primarily a performance-based funding instrument for which you
generally need a minimum of 20 ECTS points per semester and an average
of 2.3 or better. However, social or (university-related) political commitment, voluntary
work in associations, professional experience, the special situation of single
parents, care of family members or similar will also be taken into
consideration.
If you do not have the minimum grades and minimum ECTS points but meet other criteria pursuant to Section 5 (5) of the “Satzung für die Vergabe von Stipendien im Rahmen des Deutschlandstipendiums an Studierende der HNEE” (Statute for the award of scholarships under the Deutschlandstipendium scheme to students at HNEE), your application may still be considered by the selection committee in exceptional, duly justified cases.
I have applied for a place at HNE Eberswalde but have not yet been accepted. Can I still apply for the scholarship?
Yes, prospective students may also apply before they have been accepted. However, you are required to submit the certificate of enrolment by 15 September to ensure that the selection committee can consider your application.
How and where do I submit my application documents?
Send you application as a PDF document of max. 5 MB to the responsible coordination office (deutschlandstipendium@hnee.de) before the expiry of the application deadline. Other file formats (including ZIP files) cannot be considered.
Your application document should contain the signed application form, the tabular curriculum vitae, the cover letter, the declaration of consent regarding the retrieval of the certificates of performance, reports and evidence as well as the certificate of enrolment.
I have applied for a place but have not yet received my leaving certificate. Which certificate of performance can I submit for my scholarship application?
You can also submit a preliminary leaving certificate to apply for the scholarship. When applying for a Bachelor degree course, we will need confirmation from your school that shows your average grade. When applying for a Master degree course, we need a certificate of performance from your university that shows at least 150 ECTS and the provisional average grade.
What can I submit as a certificate of performance?
Your university and school performance will be checked during the application procedure. In the case of new students, the grades in the school leaving certificate (bachelor degree) or the grade achieved in the first undergraduate degree is decisive. As regards funding in the second year of the course, the academic performance including the last winter semester is also included. For funding in the third year of the course, only the academic performance including the last winter semester is decisive.
Aside from an excellent academic performance at school and university, you also consider other selection criteria. What evidence can I submit in this area?
As a rule, e.g., special qualifications, voluntary
work, language proficiency or university-related commitment can only be
considered if respective evidence (reports, certificates, etc.) is submitted.
If no evidence can be submitted, a sufficient explanation of special personal circumstances
relating to the study programme should be submitted.
The following will not be considered: letters of recommendation by professors,
language proficiency certificates which were a precondition for admission to
the course and further education certificates which form part of the academic
education / study programme.
At the time of my application I do not yet have the complete required evidence, e.g. for a particular field of commitment. Can I submit documents at a later date?
No further evidence can be submitted after the application deadline.
What points should I keep in mind when applying?
Since we can only consider complete and timely applications, you should comply with all of the requirements listed in the call for applications (e.g. signature, form, file format). A single copy of your certificates is sufficient. Application documents in a language other than English or German must be accompanied by a single copy of the officially certified German translation.
Will I receive confirmation that my application documents have been received?
Once you have sent your application online, you will receive an automatic reply confirming receipt of your application.
When will I be notified whether the application has been successful or unsuccessful?
The selection procedure takes place in September. As a rule, all applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision in mid-October. Rejections will be sent out by post, acceptances will initially be sent by email.
Can I reapply after my scholarship has expired?
Yes. Within the official study period, previous scholarship holders can reapply by submitting the complete set of required documents.
What happens if I change university or faculty or withdraw from my course?
Students who have completed at least one full semester or are in their second semester at HNE Eberswalde and are changing university will receive the scholarship for one further semester (see Section 8 StipG). In all other cases, the funding will discontinue in the month of their de-registration, withdrawal or change of faculty. You can apply for the scholarship offered at the new university (see Section 8 StipG).
Who awards the scholarships?
HNEE Deutschlandstipendium scholarships are awarded by a selection committee consisting of the President, one representative from each faculty, the Equal Opportunities Officer and two student representatives.
How does the selection procedure work?
After receipt of the application documents, the committee inspects the documents and assesses them on the basis of set selection criteria. As a next step, the selection committee decides who will receive a scholarship. Notifications of acceptance or rejection are sent out promptly.
How does the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship affect the BAföG support grant and can it be combined with other scholarship programmes?
The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship will not be offset against BAföG. In the case of other scholarship programmes, the type and amount of the scholarship is decisive. Students who already receive aptitude and performance-related funding that exceeds an average of EUR 30 a month will not be awarded the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. Scholarship programmes that can be combined with the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship are listed on the BMBF website at www.deutschlandstipendium.de.
Will the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship be offset against other social welfare benefits (excluding Bafög)?
No. As a matter of principle, the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship will not be offset against other social welfare benefits, for instance Arbeitslosengeld II (unemployment benefit). Wohngeld (housing benefit) is an exception to this rule. In this case, similar to other scholarships, half of the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship will be included in the calculation of the annual income. If you have any further questions on the subject of housing benefit and scholarships, please contact your local Wohngeldstelle.
Will the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship be paid during the practical semester?
Yes, the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship will be paid during practical semesters that are integrated in the study programme.
Can I take leave of absence and have the HNEE Deutschlandstipendium scholarship temporarily suspended?
Yes. For instance in the case of maternity leave, parental leave or studies abroad that are funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Upon continuation of your studies, the scholarship allocation period is extended by the duration of the leave of absence (see Section 7 StipG).