SBW Berlin Scholarship 2025-26: How to Apply, Eligibility, Benefits

The SBW Berlin Scholarship covers your living and study costs so you can focus on your education and social projects. Below are the main benefits you receive during your study program.

Free Shared Apartment

You live in a furnished room at Rudower Str. 67, 12351 Berlin. SBW Berlin pays the rent, saving you housing costs.

Monthly Living Allowance

You get €480 (₹49,440) each month for food and other needs. This helps you live comfortably without needing a job.

Tuition Fee Coverage

SBW Berlin pays your university fees, but you may pay a small amount if fees are above average. This lets you study without worrying about school costs.

Travel Support

You receive up to €500 (₹51,500) for trips within Europe or €1,000 (₹1.03 L) for trips outside Europe. This covers travel to Berlin and back home after studies.

Funding Duration

You get support for 30 days to 48 months, based on your study program. Funding renews each semester if you pass courses and work on your project.

Limited Support for BAfoG Recipients

You receive up to €100 (₹10,300) monthly for books instead of full benefits if you get BAfoG. This ensures you still get some help without breaking BAfoG rules.

SBW Berlin picks you based on your ability to show strong social commitment and clear plans to help your home country: 

• Academic Record: You show good school grades, matching a German grade point average of at least 2.0.
• Financial Background: You prove your family has a low income, so you really need the money.
• Project Plan: You share a detailed project plan that helps people in your home country. You explain how your studies in Berlin or Potsdam connect to your social project.
• Work Experience: You get a letter from a non-profit group explaining your past work and future role.
• Interview: You impress SBW Berlin in an interview with your ideas and goals for your project.
• Dedication: You show you can handle tough studies and finish your degree on time.

Suggested: Best Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad (2025)

The SBW Berlin Scholarship chooses applicants through a clear process to find the best candidates for their program. Below are the main steps they follow to pick scholarship winners: 

• Stage 1 - LORs: SBW Berlin checks your non-profit’s recommendation letter first to see if you qualify. They send you a link to the application form if it is strong.
• Stage 2 - Cross-verification: They review your application form, grades, and family income to check your eligibility. They make sure you meet their rules and need the support.
• Stage 3 - Interview: You will do an interview by video or in person to talk about your project if you pass the review. You may need to complete a practical task or share a six-month project plan.
• Stage 4 - Final Verdict: SBW Berlin makes the final choice based on your overall application and discussion after the interview. They pick candidates who show strong commitment and clear goals.

The SBW Berlin Scholarship welcomes talented students from developing countries who want to study in Germany and help their home communities. The student must meet specific rules to apply:

Nationality and Residence

You come from a developing country that needs help. You lived in Germany for less than 18 months before applying.

Age Range

You are between 18 and 30 years old. This makes sure you are ready to study and lead projects.

Social Work Experience

You worked with a non-profit or social group in your home country. You show proof of this work through a letter from that group.

Education Level

You qualify for university with a high school diploma or similar. You apply for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or sometimes job training.

Study Status

You apply before starting university or during your first, second, or third semester. For master’s, you apply just before or after finishing your bachelor’s.

Grades

Your grades match a German grade point average of at least 2.0. This shows you can handle university work.

Income

Your family has a low income, so you need financial help. SBW Berlin checks this to support those who can’t pay for studies.

Family in Germany

You have no close family living permanently in Germany. This keeps the focus on helping your home country.

Future Plans

You plan to return home after studies for at least 18 months to work on your project. If you stay in Germany, you agree to repay the scholarship.

No Other Scholarships

You do not receive another scholarship for your studies in Germany. SBW Berlin adjusts your funding if you get BAföG.

Suggested: Eligibility Requirements to Study in Germany for Indian Students (2025)

To get selected for the SBW Berlin Scholarship, you need specific documents like a passport, LOR, and more: 

• Letter of Recommendation: A non-profit or social group writes one letter about your past social work and future project role.
• Application Form: You fill out an online form sent to you after the non-profit’s letter is approved.
• Project Description: You write a 2-to 5-page plan about your social project for your home country.
• University Entrance Qualification: You submit one copy of your high school diploma or equivalent to prove you can study at a university.
• Latest School or University Certificate: You provide one certificate showing your grades and a grade overview.
• Highest Academic Degree: You include one copy of your high school diploma or bachelor’s degree with grades.
• Income Information: You show proof of your family’s low income to prove you need financial help.
• Language Certificate: You submit one internationally recognized certificate for the language of your study program, if available.
• University Admission Letter: You include one letter from a Berlin or Potsdam university showing your admission, if available.
• Previous University Certificates: You provide all graded and ungraded university transcripts, if you studied before.
• Work or Training Certificates: You submit all certificates from past jobs, training, or internships, if available.
• Additional Recommendation Letters: You include one or two letters from teachers or employers, if possible, but not required.
• Passport Copy: You provide one copy of your passport with a current photo, needed later in the verification process.
• Student Visa or Residence Permit: You submit one copy of your German student visa or residence permit, needed later in the verification process.
• Grade Conversion Report: You include one report from Uni-Assist or similar to convert your grades to the German system.
• Legalized Academic Certificate: You provide one legalized copy of your highest degree, if it’s from a foreign institution.

Suggested: When to Start Applying for a Scholarship to Study Abroad in 2025?

The SBW Berlin Scholarship accepts applications at any time, making it easy for you to plan your studies in Germany.

Below are the key details about deadlines, start dates, and when you hear back.

• Application Deadline: You can apply any day of the year since there is no fixed deadline.
• Review Periods: SBW Berlin reviews applications mainly from May 15 to June 30 and from November 15 to December 31.
• Decision Timeline: You get a response within three months after submitting your application.
• Study Start Dates: Your studies begin in September for the fall term or March for the spring term, depending on your program.
• Application Attempts: You can apply multiple times if not selected, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Scholarship Slots: Only 20 spots are available, and new scholarships depend on open spaces each semester.

You apply for the SBW Berlin Scholarship by submitting an online form with your documents, and the interview process plays a major role. 

Below are all the important steps you cannot afford to miss out on: 

• Step 1: Get a Letter from a Non-Profit Organisation: Request a letter of recommendation from a recognised non-profit or social organisation in your home country. They must email it directly to application@sbw.berlin to initiate your application.
• Step 2: Receive and Fill Out the Application Form: Once SBW Berlin reviews your letter, you’ll receive a link to the online form. Complete it carefully with your personal details, academic plans, and social project proposal.
• Step 3: Upload the Required Documents: Attach all necessary documents like academic transcripts, project plan, income proof, and ID. Make sure everything is in English or German (or translated).
• Step 4: Application Review and Interview: After submission, SBW Berlin evaluates your profile and may invite you for an online or in-person interview to discuss your motivation and project ideas.
• Step 5: Verification and Final Selection: If shortlisted, provide additional documents such as your passport, visa, and updated project plan for verification. Once approved, you’ll sign the scholarship agreement and move to Berlin to begin your studies.

Suggested: Scholarships for Undergrad International Applicants

The SBW Berlin Scholarship looks for committed students who can show strong social impact and clear plans. These specific tips will help you stand out and improve your chances of selection:

Write a Clear Project Plan

You create a 2-to-5-page project description that explains how your work helps your home country. Make sure it shows a strong link to your studies and the non-profit’s goals.

Get a Strong Recommendation Letter

You ask a non-profit you worked with to write a detailed letter about your past and future roles. The letter should explain how your project supports their mission.

Show Your Financial Need Clearly

You provide clear proof of your family’s low income with documents. This shows SBW Berlin that you truly need their financial aid and scholarships to study.

Prepare for the Interview

You practice explaining your project and goals clearly for the interview. Be ready to discuss a six-month project timeline and a practical task.

Submit Early and Complete

You send your application early in the May or November review periods with all documents. A complete application with no mistakes speeds up the review process.

Studying in Germany is an exciting opportunity, but many students find it challenging to navigate university choices, scholarship options, and the application process all at once. Figuring out which programs match your career goals while managing finances and documentation can feel stressful.

Yocket Premium can make this journey smoother by giving you access to personalized guidance on universities, courses, and scholarships in Germany. It helps you track applications, get expert tips, and connect with other students who’ve successfully studied there.