Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship
The Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship of the University of Mannheim Foundation aims to open up opportunities: The scholarship intends to enable students in a disadvantaged position to take up or complete their studies.
Students are funded for up to one year. At the end of the funding period, they can reapply for the scholarship. The selection committee individually decides on the amount of funding for each student.
Application process
Requirements
You can apply for the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship if you are currently studying or if you have applied for a Bachelor program at the University of Mannheim. Candidates applying for a Master program at the University of Mannheim are excluded from the scholarship program. We accept applications from all schools and departments and from all semesters. However, we require good grades and regular course attendance and coursework. When deciding on the allocation of scholarships, we consider the economic, family-related, and personal circumstances of each student. These include, for example, urgent emergencies, a lack of support from family, disabilities, illnesses, or taking care of relatives.
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines will be announced in spring.
Please submit the following documents
Online Application
The completed online application.
Curriculum vitae
Please include a detailed, current curriculum vitae (CV).
Letter of motivation
The letter of motivation (one to two pages) offers the opportunity to explain in detail why you apply for the scholarship. Please consider the following questions when composing your letter of motivation:
- Why do you apply for an Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship?
- What does your financial situation look like? What kind of financial distress are you experiencing at the moment?
- What is your current personal situation?
- What are your professional and personal plans for the future?
- Is there any information that should be considered when deciding on the allocation of scholarships that has not been requested in the online application?
- International students: How do you intend to meet the financial requirements for your visa?
Please direct your letter of motivation to the selection committee.
University entrance qualification
Please submit a copy of your university entrance qualification. For example, your Abitur or an equivalent qualification.
University degree certificates
Please submit a copy of your university degrees, if available. For example, a bachelor’s degree certificate or other university degree certificates.
Recent Transcript of Records
You can obtain a Transcript of Records from the Express Service. Please make sure to include your current average grade if you have already acquired more than 30 ECTS. The transcript of records including the overview of grades from Portal2 is sufficient, too.
Proof of financial situation
Proof of your financial situation with appropriate supporting documents. Please indicate of all financial resources – including any financial support for example from your parents – available to you each month on the online application and assure the truthfulness of your indication. The foundation can request the submission of relevant proof after the application.
Proof of personal, family- or health-related circumstances
Please inform us of all circumstances that are relevant for the application. If documents only exist in a different language, they need to be translated into German or English.
Any other relevant documents
These include, for example, proof of professional experience, certificate of vocational training, prizes, awards, birth certificate etc. provided that they are relevant for the application. If documents only exist in a different language, they need to be translated into German or English.
Information on residence card
This only applies to international students.
Applicants for a study place at the University of Mannheim have to apply for a study place first before applying for the scholarship. You have to start studying at the University of Mannheim before you can receive the scholarship.
Frequently asked questions
General questions
Who sponsors the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship?
The Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship is financed by donations made to the University of Mannheim Foundation. The term “Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship” currently covers scholarships from the Rheinhyp Unterstützungsfond (RUFE) support fund and the Marie-Luise-und-Normann-Strassen Foundation. There is a uniform application process for the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship. The number of scholarships awarded differs from year to year.
How long do scholarship holders receive financial support?
The foundation grants scholarships for a maximum funding period of one year. If you have not yet finished your studies once the funding period is over, you can reapply.
Can I also apply for the spring semester?
No. Unfortunately, we only accept applications for the fall semester.
Who is responsible for selecting the scholarship holders?
A selection committee will decide on the allocation of the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarships. Representatives of private sponsors and funding organizations are also members of the committee. We will treat your data confidentially. Please carefully read the data protection policy in the scholarship online application.
Is there an age limit in place for applications?
No.
What is the maximum funding amount granted by the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship?
There is no fixed maximum funding amount. Please indicate the amount of money that you will absolutely need each month. You can give a detailed list of your income and expenses in the online application. The difference between income and expenses will help you to estimate the desired amount of funding.
Questions regarding the application
What grade average should I have if I want to qualify for the scholarship?
We consider every application in its individual context. Therefore, there is no predefined grade average requested by the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship.
When will I receive a response to my application?
We are planning to send out responses (confirmations and rejections) by August.
How far into my degree can I apply for an Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship?
All students studying within the standard period of study are eligible to apply. Given an exceptional situation, applicants can be funded even beyond the standard period of study.
Can I receive a scholarship if I am in my second degree program?
Yes. The foundation also funds students pursuing a second or additional degree program.
How can I provide a Transcript of Records or proof of any coursework while I am still in the first semester of my master's program?
Please submit your bachelor's degree certificate.
May doctoral candidates also apply?
No. Unfortunately, doctoral programs cannot be funded with this scholarship. For information on scholarships for doctoral candidates, please visit the web pages of the University of Mannheim.
Can I combine the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship with other funding options?
This is determined by the amount and type of scholarship. Talent- and performance-based grants exceeding the amount of EUR 30 per month cannot be combined with the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship.
Can I apply for different scholarships at the same time?
Yes. You may also apply for other scholarship programs in addition to your application for an Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship. However, usually, it is not possible to receive multiple scholarships at the same time. Please also see the previous question.
May I reapply if my first application has been rejected?
Yes. You may apply again for a later funding period.
Questions regarding the form of the application
In which form do I have to provide the documents when submitting my application?
Copies and printed versions of scanned documents are sufficient proof. You do not have to have the copies certified.
Can I submit documents in languages other than German or English?
Please submit all documents in either German or English. If your documents are written in a different language, please add a translation to the original (or copy) of the document. You can translate the respective documents yourself.
What do I have to take into account when providing evidence of internships or volunteer work?
If possible, please provide proof of total duration and number of working hours you have completed.
What is the difference between current and expected monthly expenses?
Please list your expected monthly expenses in the online application. Under “current” expenses, please indicate the average expenses that you have had in the past three months (international students can, for example, refer to expenses in their country of origin). The information under “expected” expenses refers to future expenses during the period of your studies in Mannheim.
I have never applied for BAföG. Do I still have to present an official BAföG letter?
Provided that you are a German citizen, every application has to include a BAföG letter of approval or refusal. Otherwise, please refer to the questions concerning international students listed further down in order to get more information.
Questions regarding international students
Do I have to be a German citizen to be eligible to apply?
No. International applicants are also eligible to apply for a scholarship. You must be enrolled or have applied for a study place at the University of Mannheim.
Are students with an international university entrance qualification also eligible for funding?
Every university entrance qualification accepted for enrollment at the University of Mannheim can also be used to apply for an Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship.
Do I have to provide an official BAföG letter if I am an international student?
Provided that you are a German citizen, every application has to include a BAföG letter of approval or refusal.
In special cases, international students can also receive BAföG payments. This applies to students- with one parent holding German citizenship,
- who are or have been married to a German citizen,
- who are entitled to asylum, are stateless, or have found refuge in Germany,
- of whom one parent has been legally employed in Germany for three years within six years prior to the start of the applicant’s studies, or
- who themselves were legally employed in Germany for at least five years prior to the beginning of their studies.
- In addition, the applicants have to meet further requirements determined by BAföG.
International students who do not meet any of the requirements listed above should give a short statement hereto in their application. In this case, the applicant does not have to submit a BAföG application.
I do not have received my residence card yet. Can I hand it in later?
Yes. If you have not yet received a residence card, please hand it in later and indicate so in your application.
Questions regarding data protection
Why do you ask about my personal circumstances and why shall I disclose them?
The Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship is aimed at students showing a high level of commitment in their program of study who experience persistent financial need. The scholarship aims to support them in continuing their studies despite straining circumstances. As a prerequisite for receiving the Opportunity Mannheim Scholarship, the beginning, continuation or completion of the applicant’s studies must be severely endangered due to personal circumstances. These may differ widely in each individual case. In order for the selection committee to be able to make a just decision, it is thus important that all circumstances are known and confirmed. For further information, please read the data protection policy in the online application.
Will the funding organization receive my application?
You disclose your data to the University of Mannheim and the University of Mannheim Foundation. Additionally, members of the selection committee have access to your personal data. Representatives of private sponsors and funding organizations are also part of the committee. The selection committee will be provided with your data in summarized and tabular form. Furthermore, the members of the committee receive your letter of motivation and your curriculum vitae. In case you are awarded a scholarship, your data will be transferred to the funding organization. However, this is only possible if you have given your consent in the application. For further information, please read the data protection policy in the online application.