Brain Capital Financing
Imagine starting your studies at KLU without the stress of tuition fees—Brain Capital makes this possible! This innovative and flexible financing model empowers you to focus on your education now and make income-dependent payments only after you’ve graduated and launched your career.
The model is based on a solidarity principle: graduates with higher incomes contribute more, while those with lower incomes contribute less. Payments are capped annually and overall, giving you the freedom to focus on your future with confidence, all while ensuring a fair and transparent system!
Brain Capital typically covers only part of the tuition fees in many cases so, additional planning may be necessary. We offer Brain Capital in specific amounts, so please be sure to select the correct percentage when filling out the application form. With Brain Capital, you can focus on your studies and future career with less burden of financial strain!
Prerequisites to apply:
- You need to apply for a study program at KLU to be eligible.
- Submit your application before starting your studies.
How to apply:
1. Fill out this application form: Brain Capital Application Form
2. Send it via email to admission@klu.org with your CV
Deadline: July 31
Selection process:
The earlier you apply, the sooner you’ll receive a decision. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis between November and July, with decisions based on regional quotas and individual circumstances.
Your application will be considered once you've received an offer letter from KLU for a study program. If you're still waiting for a decision, there’s no need to worry—your Brain Capital application will be placed on the waitlist.

Gordon Kirstätter
Online Marketing Manager - Key Account
Brain Capital


Brain Capital provides a smart and supportive way to fund your studies at KLU. Here’s how it works:
• Solidarity: As a KLU graduate, your income-based repayments help fund the education of future KLU students, creating a community of mutual support.
• Flexibility: Repayments are tailored to your income. Earn less? Pay back less. Earn more? Contribute a bit more—it’s fair and adaptable to your career path.
• Safety: Financial challenges? No problem. If your annual income falls below EUR 30,000*, repayments are paused until you’re back on track.
• Freedom: Pursue your career and life goals without pressure—repayments only begin when you earn at least EUR 30,000*.
*EUR 15,000 non-OECD countries.

Since my Bachelor studies, the combination of the KfW student loan and the Brain Capital financing scheme has been the perfect way for me to finance my academic education. I decided for those options as I don’t have to pay the full tuition all at once and can rather concentrate on my studies first. Once I have a regular income, I will make the repayments.
Marie Besselmann - Student MSc Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Class of 2019
Loan Schemes
There are different loan schemes to finance the cost of living. These primarily target German and EU nationals. Candidates of other nationalities are only eligible if they have a German baccalaureate (Abitur) and permanent residence status in Germany.
The German federal government and KFW banking group, a German government-owned development bank, offer the following loan to Germans and EU citizens. Non-EU candidates are eligible only if they have a certificate of graduation from a German secondary school and permanent resident status in Germany.
Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG)
German federal government loan program: The loan program provides you with state funding to pursue education and training. You receive 50 percent of BAföG aid as a state grant and 50 percent as an interest-free loan. Your eligibility is dependent on your parent’s income. Read more about the Federal Training Assistance Act (in German).
KfW-Student Loan
The KfW offers the KfW-Studienkredit for our Bachelor and Master programs as well as our MBA. With the KfW-Studienkredit, you are able to finance your costs of living. The KfW-Studienkredit is highly flexible. Please find all information concerning the KfW-Studienkredit here. The product profile of the loan can be found here (unfortunately both is only offered in German). Please note: This loan scheme is primarily available for German citizens or students with a German baccalaureate (Abitur). There are exceptions, please consult the KfW-website for further information.
Our partner concerning the KfW-Studienkredit is the HASPA, which offers advice for the KfW-Studienkredit as well as a student bank account with many benefits for students in Hamburg.
For further information, please contact Ms. Sophie Harms (Tel. +49 40 3579-7227, hafencity@haspa.de) from the HASPA.
Counseling center for study financing
The counseling center for study financing "BeSt" from Studierendenwerk Hamburg offers free and objective advisory service on all topics of student finance such as BAföG, scholarships, student loans, etc. As a (prospective) KLU student you may make use of their counseling services and get individual advice:
Counselling centre for study financing – BeSt
Grindelallee 9
(first floor)
20146 Hamburg
(near Dammtor railstation)
Telephone: +49 / 40 / 41 902 - 300
best@studierendenwerk-hamburg.de
Office hours
Mon 9.30 am - 3.00 pm
Tue, Thu 9.30 am - 5.00 pm
Wed, 11.00 am - to 1.00 pm
Fri 9.30 am - 1.00 pm
Online you find information here:
student financing for international students
student financing for German students
Contact

