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Scholarships

Bard College Berlin is committed to making its degree programs accessible to students of all socioeconomic backgrounds. In recent years, approximately 80% of students received financial support from the College. Scholarships and financial aid range from €3,000 per year up to the full comprehensive fee.

Bard College Berlin offers a range of scholarships tailored to different student profiles across our degree programs and the Academy Year. Scholarship recipients typically have a predicted IB score of at least 34, complete an Abitur in the 1,0-1,5 range, or have a US high school GPA of at least 3.7.

By submitting a financial aid application, you are automatically considered for every scholarship for which you qualify. It is possible to receive multiple scholarships. Scholarships amounting to the full comprehensive fee are highly competitive and awarded on a limited basis. Even if you are not awarded a named scholarship, you remain eligible for need-based financial aid. 

Visit our Financial Aid page for deadlines and application details.

Which scholarships am I eligible for?

First-Year and Transfer BA Applicants

(except for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree)

  • AP Capstone Scholarship
    The AP Capstone Scholarship is for high school students who have completed or will complete the AP Capstone Diploma program. The highest award amounts are reserved for students with the following AP subject combination: math (Calculus AB or BC), natural science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics C), a language (French, Spanish, German, English Literature or English Language and Composition), and a social science (such as American History, European History, or Macro- and Microeconomics).
  • IB Scholarship
    The IB Scholarship supports students who will earn a full International Baccalaureate diploma with excellent predicted final results in a challenging subject combination 
  • Berlin Scholarship
    The Berlin Scholarship supports students who have demonstrated a sustained interest in German language and culture through their coursework or extracurricular activities. Strong candidates may also have participated in German honor society or taken a leadership role in their school’s German club.
  • First Generation Scholarship
    The First Generation Scholarship supports highly motivated students who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and will be the first in their family to attend university.
  • Global Citizen Scholarship
    The Global Citizen Scholarship is intended to support students who have demonstrated a commitment to being part of an international community by studying or working abroad for at least 6 months during or after high school.
  • Open Europe Scholarship
    The Open Europe Scholarship is intended to support talented students from different regions of Europe seeking higher education in an international environment. 
  • Program for International Education and Social Change (PIESC) Scholarship
    The Program for International Education and Social Change scholarship intends to support students from areas of crisis and conflict who demonstrate academic excellence and a deep commitment to social change, democracy, and human rights. Applicants must:
    • Have residence or origin in a crisis region or country in crisis. One of the following criteria must be demonstrated:
      • Current residence or origin in a region of crisis as defined by UNHCR
      • Background of (forced) migration or (internal) displacement or living under threatening circumstances due to economic, political or environmental reasons, discrimination, war or violent conflicts
      • Refugee status, granted asylum, or recognition of displacement by a national government or an international organization
    *Applicants should be aware that it is their responsibility to obtain legal entry to Germany in time to begin their program of study.
    • Satisfy the following academic criteria:
      • Have a secondary school qualification or equivalent that permits university entrance by the time they enroll at BCB
      • Have no previous undergraduate degree or equivalent from another institution
      • Have C1 English proficiency
    • Be age 25 or under
    • Demonstrate extreme financial need and lack of other support to start academic study
    • Demonstrate commitment to social change:
      • Commitment to making a difference in the lives of others
      • Demonstration of exemplary social service with leadership, strong sense of civic responsibility
      • Advocacy for democracy, human rights and social justice
      • Potential to serve as change agent
    Award amount: Up to the full on-campus comprehensive fee and additional support for living expenses
  • Scholarship in Aesthetics
    The Scholarship in Aesthetics supports students with an outstanding record of artistic involvement who express an interest in the Art and Aesthetics concentration within the BA in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought. Examples of involvement include creating art, helping curate school art exhibitions, or arts-related volunteer engagement.
  • Scholarship in Economics
    The Scholarship in Politics and Economics supports students with an exceptional record of involvement and interest in economics who plan to pursue the Economics concentration of the BA in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought.
  • Scholarship in Liberal Arts
    The Scholarship in Liberal Arts supports talented students with a demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary study and the liberal arts.
  • Scholarship in Literary Arts
    The Scholarship in Literary Arts supports students with an outstanding record of involvement in the written and theater arts who express an interest in the Literature and Rhetoric concentration within the BA in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought. Examples of involvement include participating in school journals and newspapers, publishing original work (fiction, non-fiction, or poetry), and composing or performing theatrical pieces.
  • Scholarship in Politics
    The Scholarship in Politics supports students with an exceptional record of involvement and interest in politics who plan to pursue the Politics concentration of the BA in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought or the Ethics and Politics concentration of the BA in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought.
  • Voluntary Engagement Scholarship
    The Voluntary Engagement Scholarship supports students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement. Applicants should have a record of sustained involvement in volunteer projects or completed a recognized voluntary service program (such as the Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr, Bundesfreiwilligendienst, or European Voluntary Service).

Academy Year Applicants

  • Academy Year Scholarship
    The Academy Year Scholarship supports students applying to the Academy Year program who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to civic engagement.
  • Jens Reich Scholarship
    Jens Reich has been involved with the academic development of Bard College Berlin since its beginning and continues to play an important role as a member of its Academic Advisory Board. In honor of Prof. Reich's longstanding commitment to the College, the Jens Reich Scholarship was introduced in 2014.

    The Jens Reich scholarship supports students transferring from the Academy Year program into a BA degree. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for exploring the connections between the natural sciences and other fields. 

Current Students

Financial aid is awarded on an annual basis (per academic year) and applicants need to reapply each year. Scholarship recipients must maintain a GPA of 3 or higher. The continuation of financial aid is generally offered at the same amount for up to four consecutive academic years, contingent upon the student's timely submission of required documents each year, the demonstration of a similar level of financial need, and the maintenance of good academic standing. For more information on the scholarship renewal process, please visit the Financial Aid Renewal page.

An offer of scholarship/financial aid, unless otherwise stated, is made on the assumption that the applicant will be a full-time student and will incur full-time tuition, room and board charges at Bard College Berlin. If these assumptions are wrong, the applicant should expect a revision of the scholarship/financial aid offer.

Admissions Resources

Admissions Resources