Scholarships & Financial Aid

KLU supports exceptional BSc & MSc students by offering scholarships.

KLU Scholarships

KLU offers a limited number of merit and need-based scholarships, plus a sports scholarship program for German national team athletes. Scholarship holders of gifted education institutions (Begabtenförderwerke) can apply for a full tuition fee waiver at KLU. We will also support students from refugee communities in Hamburg. Do read up on the criteria that apply for each scholarship.

Corporate Scholarship for Family Members of Kühne + Nagel employees from Southeast Asia plus India and Bangladesh!

The Kühne + Nagel Scholarship Program aims to support talented and ambitious students who have a “first-degree” relative currently employed at Kühne + Nagel. The goal is to foster the education of new professionals in logistics, supply chain management, and related disciplines while promoting cultural diversity within our community.  Successful applicants may receive a partial scholarship.  

As Kühne Logistics University (KLU) prepares to expand its global reach with the opening of a new campus in Vietnam, this scholarship demonstrates our commitment to the region and our belief in the transformative power of education. With Vietnam being a key logistics hub in Asia, this initiative aligns with Kühne + Nagel’s strategic focus on the region and KLU’s mission to provide world-class education in emerging markets. 

KLU and Kühne + Nagel share a strong historical and institutional connection (through the private Foundation of Klaus-Michael Kühne), with both committed to advancing logistics and supply chain excellence. By offering this scholarship, KLU strengthens its ties with one of the leading logistics companies globally, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. By targeting employees’ families, KLU ensures that the scholarship benefits a motivated and invested group with a direct connection to the industry. 

Eligibility Criteria 

  1. Nationality: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam or India and Bangladesh.  
  2. Applicants must be a child, sibling, or spouse of a current Kühne + Nagel employee. 
  3. Demonstrated outstanding academic performance through transcripts and references. 
  4. Commitment and interest in logistics, supply chain management, or sustainability, outlined in a motivation letter (approximately 500 words). 
  5. Proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) meeting KLU’s admission requirements. 

We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions. 

Application questions 

Applicants must answer two questions (500 characters for each question) during the application online: 

  1. "What motivates you to pursue a career in logistics, supply chain management, or a related field? Share your vision for the future of the industry and how you see yourself contributing to meaningful change through innovation, sustainability, or leadership." 
  2. During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community? 

This scholarship is not only a testament to KLU’s dedication to education and Kühne + Nagel’s commitment to its employees but also an investment in the future of logistics. KLU continues to position itself as a global leader in logistics education, offering unparalleled opportunities for students to shape the future of the industry.

The "Deutschlandstipendium" is a scholarship program in Germany that supports exceptional university students irrespective of their background. It combines private and public funding, providing each recipient with 300 euros monthly. Eligible applicants include students enrolled at German universities, with selection based on academic merit, personal achievements, and social engagement.

For more information about the Deutschlandstipendium at KLU, visit our main page dedicated to Deutschlandstipendium or contact Student Services.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF; pl. check BMBF website) supports 13 institutions for gifted education that give scholarships to young people whose talent and personality indicate that they will be outstanding at university and in their professions, and take on social responsibility as well.

Scholarship holders of one of the institutions for gifted education supported by the BMBF can apply for a full tuition fee waiver at KLU:

Requirements 

  • Completed application for a KLU study program (BSc/MSc; incomplete applications will not be considered), please see our FAQ for more information. 

  • Minimum academic performance of 1.5 overall GPA plus top grades in quantitative subjects 1.5 Quant GPA (GPA: German equivalent; if you are unsure how to convert your international grade and are already admitted for a place of study at KLU, you may inquire with us whether you fulfill the GPA criterion). 

  • Completed scholarships application form containing an approval letter of the respective institution. We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. 

  • Important: To receive a Gifted Education Award you need to be an approved scholarship recipient of one of the institutions above before your start your studies at KLU (i.e. before September 01st).  

Latin-America Scholarship

KLU offers Latin America scholarships to exceptional candidates coming from these countries for our Business Foundation, Bachelor's and Master's Programs. Successful applicants may receive a partial or full scholarship. Candidates must demonstrate outstanding achievements, which may include academic excellence, social engagement, exceptional leadership skills or an entrepreneurial drive. 

We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions. 

Applicants must answer two questions (500 characters for each question) during the application online: 

  1. Describe a specific experience or project where you demonstrated exceptional skills—whether through academic achievement, leadership, social engagement, or innovation. How did this experience shape your goals, and how does it reflect the values of this scholarship? Please focus on one of these categories in your essay. 
  2. During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community 

Merit-based scholarship

KLU offers merit-based scholarships to exceptional applicants for our Business Foundation, BSc. and MSc. programs. Successful applicants may receive a partial or full scholarship. Candidates for the merit-based scholarship must demonstrate outstanding achievements, which may include academic excellence, social engagement, exceptional leadership skills or an entrepreneurial drive.

Examples of Merit-Based Scholarship Categories:

  1. Academic Excellence - Exceptional performance in quantitative or analytical subjects.
  2. Social Engagement - Significant involvement in community service, volunteer work, or social impact initiatives.
  3. Leadership Skills - Proven ability to lead teams, organize events, or initiate projects that drive positive change.
  4. Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Development of innovative ideas, business concepts, or entrepreneurial ventures.

We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions.

Application questions

Applicants must answer two questions (500 characters for each question) during the application online:

  1. Describe a specific experience or project where you demonstrated exceptional skills—whether through academic achievement, leadership, social engagement, or innovation. How did this experience shape your goals, and how does it reflect the values of this scholarship? Please focus on one of these categories in your essay.
  2. During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community?

Need-based scholarship

KLU offers a limited number of need-based scholarships for applicants to our Prep., BSc., and MSc. programs. These scholarships are designed to support individuals who face significant financial challenges.

Examples include but are not limited to:

  1. First-generation students: Individuals from non-academic family backgrounds (i.e., ArbeiterKind).
  2. Individuals with migration history: Those who come from migrant families.
  3. Low socio-economic status: Those eligible for financial aid, such as BAföG recipients.
  4. Recipients of social assistance: Individuals who grew up with or currently rely on benefits like Sozialhilfe or Bürgergeld.
  5. Care leavers: Individuals who have lived in foster care, group homes, or other forms of youth welfare support.

We will give you access to the application portal for scholarships upon submittance of your program application. All applicants must fill out a questionnaire form (max. 500 characters for each question, not including spaces) OR a video (max. 3 minutes) as a response to the application questions.

  1. Describe a challenge or barrier you have faced due to your background, and explain how it has shaped your aspirations and determination to succeed. How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals and create a positive impact in your community or field of study?
  2. During your time as a KLU student, what is something you are passionate about achieving or working on? How will you as a person add value to the KLU Community? 

KLU understands the challenges that students from refugee communities face in accessing higher education. To support these learners, we offer full tuition waivers for refugee students who have been admitted to our programs.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Have recognized refugee status,
  • Hold a local residence permit for Hamburg, and
  • Have successfully completed secondary schooling or undergraduate education.

Additionally, Ukrainian nationals who fled Ukraine due to the war may apply for a tuition fee waiver with a residence permit according to § 24 Residence Act (Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 24 AufenthG). If this applies to you, please provide a scanned copy of your ID or passport with valid proof of § 24 status.

For any questions or further assistance, feel free to reach out to us.

KLU offers Southeast Asia scholarships to exceptional candidates coming from these countries for our Business Foundation, Bachelor's and Master's Programs. Successful applicants may receive a partial or full scholarship. For more information, please visit the main page for Southeast Asia Scholarships.

Sport Scholarship

KLU is an official partner university of high performance sport represented by the Olympiastützpunkt Hamburg/Schleswig Holstein (Olympic base) and the Allgemeiner Deutscher Hochschulsport Verband (German University Sports Federation).
 
In this cooperation, we offer a sport scholarship program for german and international top athletes, as well as a scholarship for Bundesliga athletes (or an equivalent) in various sports. Find out more under KLU Sports.

Intended to provide hospitable and performance-promoting conditions for international students at German universities, the program STIBET means “Combined Scholarship and Support Programme” (in German Kombiniertes Stipendien- und Betreuungsprogramm). It is funded by the Federal Foreign Office for German universities. The funds are administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).  

Student Services offers three different types of STIBET scholarships for highly qualified international students enrolled at KLU:

1.    Scholarships for Study Completion (EUR 350/month for 6 months)

  • Your academic performance is good to very good.
  • You are close to completing your studies.
  • Through no fault of your own you find yourself in financial difficulties during the final phase of your studies.

2.    Scholarships for Highly Committed Students (EUR 350/month for 6 months)

  • Your academic performance is good to very good.
  • You are engaged in an intercultural context at KLU, such as mentoring international students or assisting in cultural events.

3.    Scholarships for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities (EUR 350/month for 6 months)

  • Your academic performance is good to very good.
  • You face a special challenge such as a refugee status, disability, or caring responsibilities.

Conditions for Application

  • The scholarships address international students (non-German nationality)
    • When you have multiple nationalities including the German nationality, you cannot apply.
  • You must be a degree-seeking, full-time student enrolled at KLU.
    • As an exchange student and as a doctoral student, you cannot apply.
  • You need to be at least in your 2nd semester.
  • You may not receive any other scholarship funding; income is possible up to a certain limit.

Detailed application requirements, documents, and deadlines can be found in the specific scholarship guidelines. For more information, please find all necessary please find all necessary information on Moodle under the section Scholarships (please log-in prior). 

For any questions regarding the STIBET scholarship, feel free to reach out to Student Services.

DAAD Scholarship Database

The DAAD's extensive scholarship database for foreign students, graduates, and academics offers you a wide range of tips and information on successfully applying for a scholarship for a degree program or research assignment in Germany. You can filter your search by country of origin, subject, and your current status.

Other scholarship databases

Contact

Genevieve Steffan, Student Recruitment & Marketing Manager (BSc & Preparation Program)
Genevieve Müller

Student Recruitment & Marketing Manager (BSc & Business Foundations Program)

Jaroslav Bahnik

Student Recruitment & Marketing Manager (BSc & Business Foundations Program)

Kühne Logistics University

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Vivien Wawer

Student Recruitment & Marketing Manager (BSc & Business Foundations Program)

Kühne Logistics University

Abril Perez

Student Recruitment Manager

Kendra Triblet

Student Recruitment Manager

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Dung Pham

Head of Student Recruitment & Marketing KLU Southeast Asia

Kühne Logistics University - KLU

For information on external scholarships, or other financing options, please visit our page Tuition & Financing.