In eight Länder, administrative fees ranging from EUR 50 to 75 are charged to all students. In Sachsen, HEIs may charge examination fees ranging from EUR 25 to 150. In three Länder, HEIs may charge administrative fees or fees/charges for learning materials and use of HEI facilities. Students in four Länder are liable to pay fees of EUR 500 (in Saarland, up to EUR 400) per semester when exceeding the regular study period. In Rheinland-Pfalz, students have to pay EUR 700 per semester, if the they study for a second degree.

International students are liable to pay EUR 1 500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg. In Bayern the fee policy for students from outside the EU and EEA is based on the Bavarian Higher Education Act, into force as of January 1, 2023.  Some HEIs might not apply this policy, while others would do as of the winter semester 2024/2025. In all other Länder, international students pay the same fees as home students.

Students with extended length of studies (first and second cycle) are required to pay fees of EUR 500 in four Länder (Saarland, up to EUR 400) per semester. 

Grants are available to full-time and part-time home and international students and are paid in monthly instalments for 12 months period

Need-based grants are offered to full-time home students in first and second cycles and, under certain conditions, also to international students. 

Need based grants ("BAföG"), are public student support including one half of the individual amount awarded as a grant, and for the other half an interest free loan. Need based grants ("BAföG") are available to third country nationals only with long-term residence permits, not for in-coming students for study purposes. For those eligible, the same conditions and amounts apply as for home students.

There are DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) merit-based scholarship programmes for study stays as well as for internships abroad for students from German universities (irrespective of their nationality) of all academic disciplines on a Bachelor's and Master's level. Part-time students at a German university may also apply, as long as they will study full-time during their scholarship stay abroad.

DAAD scholarship programmes are offered for students from abroad of all academic disciplines in second cycle and in some programmes in first cycle. 

Data on share refers to DAAD outgoing scholarship programmes..  

The age limit for access to grants is mostly 45 years with certain exceptions. The “Deutschlandstipendium” and the “Aufstiegsstipendium” have no age limits. The “Weiterbildungsstipendium” is for young professionals up to the age of 25.