TUM’s main “Scholarship for International Students” (often named as TUM International Student Scholarship 2026) is a need- and merit-based support for enrolled international students, offering €500–€1,800 per semester, with a defined Summer Semester 2026 application window (13 April 2026–26 April 2026) and reapplication possible each semester (max. funding period 36 months). In addition, TUM offers tuition-fee waiver scholarships for newly enrolled non-EEA students (tuition introduced since Winter Semester 2024/25), with separate deadlines and an important rule: these waivers cover tuition fees and do not pay cash.
Basic scholarship information (with deadlines)
1) Scholarship for International Students at TUM (cash support)
Bavarian government budget resources fund this scholarship and provides a one-time financial aid of €500 to €1,800 per semester. You can reapply every semester, and the maximum total funding period is 36 months. Application period (Summer Semester 2026): 13 April 2026 to 26 April 2026. TUM notes that summer semester results are typically sent by mid-July, and winter semester results by mid-December.
2) Tuition-fee waivers/waiver scholarships (non-EEA, tuition-paying groups)
Since Winter Semester 2024/25, TUM charges tuition fees for newly enrolled international students from non-EEA “third countries,” and eligible applicants can apply for waivers and waiver scholarships. These waivers correspond to the tuition fee amount for the relevant degree program, and no payment is made (meaning it reduces/waives tuition rather than giving monthly cash). TUM lists different waiver types with different application periods, including merit-based and need-based waivers for Master’s applicants, and merit-based waivers for continuing students with deadlines such as 31 May–30 June (for the following winter semester) and 30 November–31 December (for the following summer semester).
General Information
- Offered by Technical University of Munich (TUM).
- Funded by the Bavarian government.
- One-time financial aid: €500 – €1,800 per semester.
- Students can reapply every semester.
- Maximum funding period: 36 months.
Result Announcement
- Summer semester: Results by mid-July.
- Winter semester: Results by mid-December.
University/institution details
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is a public research university in Munich, Germany, and its scholarship information is managed via TUM web pages and the TUM Center for Study and Teaching scholarship/fees offices. For waiver scholarships/waivers/exemptions, TUM states you need an application number from TUMonline (or a student number if already admitted) to apply in the portal.
Study areas (available program names)
TUM’s “Scholarship for International Students” is awarded to eligible students who are enrolled at TUM in Bachelor’s or Master’s studies (with semester-based conditions), rather than being restricted to one specific department. Because TUM offers many degree programs and the scholarship is not published as limited to a small list on the scholarship page, the practical guidance is: choose any TUM Bachelor’s/Master’s program you are admitted to and confirm you meet the scholarship’s enrollment/semester requirements before applying.
If you tell me your intended field (e.g., Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Management, Data Engineering), I can help you pick high-search program keywords to include in your blog headings.
TUM International Student Scholarship benefits
- Financial support of €500–€1,800 per semester as a one-time aid (per semester), with reapplication possible each semester.
- Potential support over time up to a maximum funding period of 36 months (if you keep reapplying and being selected).
- If they continue to fulfill the requirements, students may reapply each semester.
- Financial assistance is meant to help with living expenditures and study-related costs
- Clear timing guidance for decisions (mid-July for summer semester results; mid-December for winter semester results).
Benefits not included
- It is not described as a full scholarship covering all living costs; it is a limited per-semester aid amount.
- During a leave of absence, the scholarship will not be paid.
- Tuition-fee waiver scholarships are not cash payments; TUM states no payment is made and the waiver corresponds to tuition fee amounts.
Eligibility criteria for benefits
For the “Scholarship for International Students at TUM,” the key requirements include:
- Must be an international student not eligible for BAföG due to nationality.
- Bachelor’s students: eligible from the 3rd semester at TUM.
- Master’s students: eligible from the 2nd semester at TUM.
- If bachelor’s degree completed at TUM → eligible from the 1st semester.
- Thesis submission deadline:
- 30 June (summer term)
- 31 December (winter term)
- Must show:
- Good academic performance
- Financial need
- Low parents’ income
- Additional Notes
- Scholarship will not be paid during leave of absence.
- Waiver scholarships count as income.
Required documents (checklist you can copy)
TUM asks applicants to prepare PDF files for upload, including:
- Motivational letter (100–200 words explaining financial situation).
- CV/Resume.
- Residence permit.
- TUM grade report (from TUMonline).
- Two recommendation letters (not older than one semester).
- Proof of applicant’s income (last 12 months).
- Bank statements for the last 12 months.
- Explanation of incoming payments (salary, parents’ support, scholarship, loan, etc.).
- Proof of parents’ income or spouse’s income (12 months).
- Additional documents if relevant (work contract, internship contract, loan papers, scholarship notice, BAföG notice).
- Translation Requirement
TUM International Student Scholarship apply (step-by-step process)
- Confirm you meet the core requirements (semester status at TUM, BAföG ineligibility by nationality, merit + proven need).
- Prepare all PDFs in advance (motivation letter, CV, residence permit, grade report, recommendations, income proofs, and translations if needed).
- Apply within the official application window (for Summer Semester 2026: 13 April 2026–26 April 2026) using TUM’s online submission link published during the application period.
- Ensure recommendations are on time; TUM notes that even if recommendations are submitted later, the deadline must still be met (15 November / 15 May referenced on the page).
- Watch for results timing (mid-July for summer semester decisions; mid-December for winter semester decisions).
Important Notes
- Only complete applications will be accepted.
- Recommendation letters must be submitted before the deadline (15 May / 15 November).
- Application will be submitted online during the application period.
Tips for a successful application
- Write a motivation letter that matches TUM’s format: include a clear 100–200 word financial explanation (not a long story), and connect it to your study performance and progress.
- Make your proof of income “audit-ready”: label incoming payments directly on statements (salary, parents’ support, scholarship, loan), because TUM explicitly asks you to explain incoming payments.
- Avoid incomplete submissions; TUM states only complete applications can be accepted.
- If your documents aren’t in German or English, plan time for certified translation by a sworn translator (with official seal), as required for income proofs.
- If you’re also applying for tuition-fee waivers, remember these are handled in the waiver system and are not paid out as cash, so plan your living-cost budget separately.
Monthly living expenses in Munich (USD)
TUM’s scholarship pages focus on eligibility, documents, and deadlines rather than listing living-cost figures, so you should budget conservatively for Munich as a high-cost German city. A practical estimate many international students use is USD 1,200–1,800 per month, depending on rent type (dorm vs shared flat), lifestyle, and insurance choices.
Typical monthly budget (USD estimate):
- Rent + utilities: $650–$1,100
- Food: $250–$400
- Health insurance: $130–$180
- Transport + phone/internet: $80–$150
- Study materials + personal: $90–$200
If you want, tell me your housing plan (student dorm, WG/shared flat, or studio) and I’ll tailor a tighter budget range.
Why choose this scholarship? (at least 5 reasons)
- It is specifically designed for international students at TUM who have both good academic performance and demonstrated financial need.
- It is renewable: you can reapply every semester, which helps students manage changing financial realities during their degree.
- It provides relatively fast, semester-based support (results are typically communicated by mid-July for summer semester).
- The application criteria are clearly stated (semester standing, thesis timing condition, required documents), which reduces uncertainty if you prepare early.
- It can complement other support mechanisms at TUM, including tuition-fee waiver pathways (where eligible) that reduce tuition obligations rather than paying cash.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the TUM International Student Scholarship 2026 fully funded?
No—TUM describes it as a one-time financial aid of €500–€1,800 per semester, which is support but not full funding of all costs.
Can I apply in my first semester at TUM?
Not for this specific scholarship: TUM states eligibility starts from the 3rd Bachelor’s semester or from the 2nd Master’s semester (with an exception for 1st Master’s semester if the Bachelor’s was completed at TUM).
What is the deadline for Summer Semester 2026?
TUM lists the application period for Summer Semester 2026 as 13 April 2026 to 26 April 2026.
What documents are mandatory?
TUM lists a motivation letter, CV, residence permit, TUM grade report, two recommendations, and proof of income (student + parents/spouse if applicable), among others.
Is a tuition-fee waiver the same as the international student scholarship?
No—TUM’s waiver scholarships/waivers correspond to tuition fees and do not pay cash, while the international student scholarship provides a per-semester financial aid amount.
Where do I apply?
TUM states the scholarship application is submitted online during the application period, and the relevant link is published during that period.
Application Period (Summer Semester 2026)
- 13 April 2026 – 26 April 2026
