The prospect of studying internationally seems rather exciting, and once you get into the technicalities, you may find that although there are little to no tuition fees, studying in Germany still requires a moderate amount of money. The average cost of living in Germany is approximately 861 Euros a month, equating to 10,332 euros a year. This is the minimum amount of money you will need to get a student visa. Although you would spend this money over the course of twelve months, you should have it in full, in a blocked German account in your name, before you arrive in the country. This article reviews how you can fund your studies in Germany in order to meet this minimum amount.
Parental Income
As the most convenient form of financial support, it is very normal for international students to rely on their parents to send them monthly allowances to help them keep up with their expenses. For most working parents, 861 Euros is a manageable amount, and requires no extra work, or paying back in the future, on the students’ side. If parents cannot afford to fund the full amount, they can combine this option with other financial routes to build the required 861 euros a month.
Personal Savings
Saving up money in the time before university may prove to be another reliable way to get the funds a student needs for their studies in Germany. Whether it’s money the student individually saves through school, or a college fund set up by their parents, personal savings act as a readily available source of money that students can use throughout their semester and beyond.
Part-Time Job
As one of the most common ways to pay for expenses, students may get part-time jobs when they arrive in Germany, alongside their full-time studies. Getting a job requires constant work and effort from the student. And time divided between studies and work, on top of extra processes like social security and taxes. But it gives the student a chance to earn more than just the bare minimum, as flexible schedules give a student the opportunity to make more money.
Student Loans
During their studies in Germany, students also have the chance to get student loans from various banks in the country. The state and private finance funds them partially. Some loans require the student to have a minimum number of years of residence within Germany before they can apply. They should also have a maximum number of years post-graduation after which students have to start paying their loans back. The amount of money a student can borrow depends on how much they support themselves financially by other means, like parental income and personal savings. It also depends on what organization the loan is coming from. The maximum amount they would borrow can either be more or less than the needed 861 Euros per month
Scholarships
Some students can get scholarships to pay for their living costs and expenses while studying in Germany. While these programs are numerous, they often require the student to have good grades. Or, in some cases, above average extracurricular skills, like sports or music. There is constant competition for these awards. A student should apply for a scholarship with their academic or social strengths, for the best chance at succeeding. Different programs will offer different amounts of money, and different timeframes of study. They could be for one academic year, or for the entire academic course. You can check out our article on DAAD scholarships to get an idea of what they are like.
With options like these, international students have more than enough ways to tackle their financial stability. They have room to change from one option to another, according to their situation. We hope this article helped you find the best one for you to fund your studies in Germany.
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