FAQ DAAD Scholarships for Language Courses

DAAD Sprachstipendien: Intensivkurs (ISK) und Hochschulsommerkurs (HSK) DAAD Scholarships for language courses: Intensive Course (ISK) and university summer courses (HSK)

Frequently asked questions – häufig gestellte Fragen 1. What is the difference between the two types of courses / scholarships? 2. For which type can I apply or can I apply for both types? 3. Do I need to be a student? Is there an age limit? 4. Which language courses in Germany can I choose and apply for? 5. Where do I find the application form(s)? 6. In which language do I need to fill in the application form and write my CV and my motivation letter? 7. What is a motivation letter? 8. Can I hand in a recommendation letter (= letter of reference) from my German teacher 9. Is it necessary to use the form for the recommendation letter or can my professor write a recommendation “free-style”? 10. Do I need to get my exam certificate (e.g. grade, transcripts, Bachelor diplomas etc.) translated into English? 11. What kind of language certificate should I attach, how old can it be? 12. Where and when do I need to hand in my application? 13. When will I know if my application was successful and I will get a scholarship? _________________________________________________________________________

1. What is the difference between the two types of courses / scholarships? The ISK/ intensive courses are 2-month language courses and take place at selected institutions. As their main focus is on language, they are for students whose level in German is A1 (completed). The HSK / summer university courses run 3-4 weeks and take place at a number of German universities. They are topic-oriented or have a special focus (German for engineers) and thus require a higher language level. Applicants should have at least B1. For detailed descriptions of the ISK and HSK go to www.daad.de/stipendien or check the DAAD scholarship database on www.funding-guide.de

2. For which type can I apply or can I apply for both types? As mentioned above, this depends on your level in German, if you have A2 or B1 you apply for ISK, if you have B2 or more you apply for HSK. If you are at the end of B1-level (B1/2), you can apply for both. In that case, we will forward the application that looks more promising. Students who study German as a degree course can only apply for HSK.

3. Do I need to be a student? Is there an age limit? Yes, you need to be a student, in your second academic year at least. Of course, Master students, PhD students and students, who have completed their degree recently, i.e. in last summer and are planning to do a Master program, can apply. You must be at least 18 years old.

4. Which language courses in Germany can I choose and apply for? For the ISK (intensive course) scholarships there is a pdf- course lists from which you have to choose a course and an alternative (2nd choice). This list you find on www.daad.de/iskkursliste Do not search the internet for other courses, the DAAD-scholarships are only for the courses quoted on the list. If you give courses that are not listed, your application will not be considered. For the HSK check www.daad.de/hsk-kursliste

5. Where do I find the application form? The application form, the corresponding course lists and the recommendation form you find on http://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/hinweise/en/8527-application-formsdownloads/ under „Further downloads“

6. In which language do I need to fill in the application form and write my CV and my motivation letter? If you have A2-level in German, you can do everything in English. If your level in German is B1 or higher, you need to write everything in German. Do not ask a native speaker or somebody with better German to write those things for you – our experts will notice and your application will not be considered. (Of course, you can ask for single words and/or phrases, but do not let somebody else write the entire text or passages for you.)

7. What is a motivation letter? Motivation letter means a short text (essay of 250-500 words, not a list or table!) giving your reasons for the application, i.e. why you apply in general; why in particular for this course, maybe why for this place/course) ; why (learning) German is important for your studies and especially for your academic interests/plans/career. The DAAD pays special attention to the last point. Of course, you may also give personal reasons, but academic reasons matter much more.

8. Can I hand in a recommendation letter from my German teacher? NO, the recommendation letter must come from a senior academic/professor of your degree course or academic field. HSK- Bewerber, die Germanistik (= Deutsche Sprache und Literatur) als Studienrichtung studieren, können natürlich eine/n Fachprofessor/in um ein Gutachten (= recommendation letter) bitten.

9. Is it necessary to use the form for the recommendation letter or can my professor write a recommendation “free-style”? The recommendation letter can be “free-style” but it must be a proper one! There should be a header giving name, institution and contact of the one who gives the recommendation and it must be signed by hand, the full name given in print below the signature. (A 4-line word document (esp. in a copy-paste fashion) without signature is not acceptable!)

10. Do I need to get my exam certificate (e.g. grade, transcripts, Bachelor diplomas etc.) translated into English? You don’t not need to include degree diplomas in your application, only transcripts of grades. All universities do issue the transcripts of your grades in English, if that costs a lot extra, our tip/suggestion is to photocopy them, get the photocopy certified and include only the certified photocopy into your application and keep the original. (The German Embassy provides certification of copies free of charge for scholarship applicants during office hours Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri from 08.30 to 11.30 am. An appointment is necessary and should be requested around 3 weeks before – check the website of the German Embassy (https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern - Deutsche Botschaft Tel Aviv - Sonstige Beglaubigungen und Bescheinigungen)

11. What kind of language certificate should I attach, how old can it be? No need to attach a language certificate. There will be a language test called OnDaF at the Goethe Institut in Tel Aviv in the second week of January, i.e. after the application deadline! You are required to check your email frequently in the week after the deadline for the electronic invitation to the OnDaF-test. It is mandatory/obligatory for all applicants. On request of the DAAD the test replaces the language certificate (still) required by application form. More information and a sample test you find on www.ondaf.de. Please familiarize yourselves with the test format.

12. Where and when do I need to hand in my application? On the 31st of December, your application needs to be in the German Embassy – postal stamps do not count. Applications that arrive after that will not be considered. www.tel-aviv.diplo.de Even if the Embassy is closed, there will be emergency staff who also take care of the letter box outside the offices on the 19th floor in 3, Daniel Frisch St. or send it to POB 16038 64731 Tel Aviv 61160 Tel Aviv Please write as addressee: German Embassy / Cultural Dept./ Frau Draeger and DAADStipendium on the envelope.

13. When will I know if my application was successful and I will get a scholarship? In mid-January, pre-selection committee decides which applications will be forwarded to the DAAD Bonn, Germany. The final decision will be announced by the DAAD Bonn probably in April – true that is a long time but it is a worldwide program. If you have not heard from the DAAD by the second week in May, write/email to Dr. Kristina Reiss, [email protected], DAAD-Lektorin, Jerusalem