Erlangen: Vanessa Kraus wins coveted scholarship for her future!

Erlangen: Vanessa Kraus wins coveted scholarship for her future!

Vanessa Kraus, a student at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), will be awarded a Germany scholarship funded by the auditing and consulting company Rödl & Partner. Rödl & Partner, headquartered in Nuremberg, is sponsoring a total of two scholarships at FAU to support the academic careers and personal development of its scholarship holders. Hariklia Horsch, who is responsible for employer branding at Rödl & Partner, emphasizes how important it is to give students the opportunity to orientate themselves in the professional world.

The Deutschlandstipendium offers not only financial but also non-material support for high-performing and committed students. As part of the program, private sponsors such as companies or foundations undertake to provide 150 euros per month, a sum that is also matched by the federal government with 150 euros. This initiative is based on the principle of public-private partnership, which means that the scholarship is awarded regardless of personal or parental income. The award is made exclusively by the universities, which also regularly check whether the award criteria are met.

Benefits and Offers of the Scholarship

The scholarship holders benefit from a variety of opportunities that go beyond financial support. This includes mentoring programs, networking events and internships that not only expand academic horizons, but also make it easier to enter professional life. In addition to academic achievements, an important selection criterion for scholarship holders is personal values ​​and social commitment. Positive feedback from previous scholarship holders demonstrates the motivation and support they received through the scholarship.

In 2022, 30,500 students have already benefited from the Deutschlandstipendium. This is a clear sign that the program is becoming more relevant, especially since its introduction in 2010. At that time, only three percent of students in Germany received a scholarship. The federal government responded to these inadequate numbers and adopted the national scholarship program with the aim of lowering the financial barriers to academic education and helping talented students.

Vanessa Kraus shows particular interest in topics such as sustainability reporting and has already contacted her contacts at Rödl & Partner. She describes the support from the donors as a sign of trust that motivates her in her further development. Kraus advises potential fellows to be authentic and honest in their applications and to share their passion for their field. She also encourages you not to be discouraged, even if it doesn't work out the first time you apply.

A long-term goal for more equal opportunities

The Deutschlandstipendium is awarded at all participating universities in Germany and therefore represents an important financial support pillar that stands alongside BAföG, educational loans and scholarships from gifted funding organizations. The long-term goal of the program is that up to eight percent of all students at German universities can benefit from this funding. Applicants are assessed not only on academic achievements, but also on social background and commitment, which further diversifies the program and promotes equal opportunities.

Overall, the Deutschlandstipendium shows how talented and motivated students can be supported through public and private collaborations. The existing infrastructure is supplemented by individual offers from universities and sponsors, which creates holistic support. This is an important step towards a fairer educational landscape in Germany.