Scholarships and loans

Scholarships are granted when parents and the student himself or herself do not have sufficient income and assets to cover the costs of living and education.

Important notes:

• If the parents refuse to support the studies even though they are able to do so according to the shortfall calculation, there is usually no entitlement to scholarships.
• If you receive scholarships, you must report any changes to the facts stated in the application. This could be, for example, a change in income due to jobs during your studies. You must send the notification to the Education Grants Department within two months. You must remember this - otherwise, your scholarship may be reduced or refused.
• If you discontinue your studies without good cause, you will be required to repay the scholarship funds. Repayment may be waived if this causes you exceptional hardship. If you discontinue your studies, be sure to contact the Education Grants Department immediately.
• Scholarships are not granted for a second university degree.
• The Master's degree is considered as initial education, even if you have entered professional life for the time being after your Bachelor's degree.
• After reaching the age of 35 , you will only be eligible for contributions in exceptional cases:
  
  • If the training is intended for professional (re-)entry after a career break or after caring for dependents.
  • If you can prove that there are important reasons that make it considerably more difficult for you to continue your previous occupation.
     

The amount of the scholarships is determined on the basis of budgets. The budget is primarily based on the parents' financial situation and compares income and expenses.

On the website of the Department of Education and Culture (BKD) you can find a forecast calculator for scholarships. You can use it to enter the most important information, for example the costs of your education, your parents' income and rent expenses, etc. The program then calculates whether you are likely to be eligible for a scholarship and, if so, how much.

You do not need to be familiar with the details of tax-free allowances, allowable rental costs, etc. The program contains all the legally binding information

• BKD – Services – Promotion and support – Training grants – Scholarships – Forecast Calculator Scholarships (in German or French) 
   

In principle, eligibility for a scholarship lasts for 12 years of education after lower secondary school. This calculation includes not only the time during which you receive scholarships, but also the actual duration of your education.

In the case of courses that are divided into Bachelor's and Master's degrees, the Master's degree is considered the first ordinary degree in the Canton of Bern. This applies to both university colleges and universities of applied sciences. The field of study of the Master's degree does not have to be the same as that of the Bachelor's degree.

Scholarships may be granted for the first three years of training at university level. From the fourth year of study onwards, two thirds of the recognised shortfall is awarded as a scholarship and a further third as a loan.

Please note the deadlines for submitting scholarship applications:

• 30 June for academic years that begin in the first half of the year.
• 31 December for academic years beginning in the second half of the year.

You can fill in your application form online. The portal on the Education and Culture Directorate (BKD) will guide you step by step through the process of entering your data.

• BKD – Services – Promotion and support – Training grants – Scholarships – Application for education grants (online) (in German or French) 

You must resubmit your application for each year in which you wish to receive a grant. Your master data will be stored in the application portal, so that you only need to enter the information relating to the year in question.

If you prefer to submit the application by post, you can order hard copies of the forms. Contact the Education Grants Department at the Department of Education and Culture of the Canton of Bern.

• Make sure that you submit all the required documents and receipts with the application.
   

Scholarships are usually granted in the first three years of training at university level. From the fourth year of education onwards, two-thirds of the recognised shortfall is awarded as a scholarship; a loan may be granted for the missing third.

Loans are one-time or recurring contributions that you must repay after completing your education. You can also apply for a loan.

• if it is impossible for your parents to provide you with reasonable support for objective reasons,
• for school and tuition fees that are significantly higher than the recognised costs,
• for essential purchases that are absolutely necessary and directly related to your education,
• to complete a course of study after 12 years of study have been exceeded.
   

The repayment and interest obligation begins on 1 January of the second year after you complete your training. The exact date is determined by the Education Grants Department.

If you have interrupted your education prematurely, the repayment and interest obligation begins on 1 January of the year after the interruption. If you interrupt your education, this is usually treated the same as dropping out. Justified exceptions are possible, check with the Department for Education Grants.

You must repay the loan in full in equal, annual instalments within a maximum of ten years from the start of the period. The start of the repayment and interest obligation can be postponed in justified cases, but by no more than two years.

The interest rate corresponds to the average interest rate in general housing published by the Berner Kantonalbank BEKB.
 

From the fourth year of education at university level onwards, one third of the grants awarded will automatically be paid out as a loan.

If you would like to submit an application for other reasons, please contact the Education Grants Department of the Education and Culture Directorate of the Canton of Bern:

• BKD – Services – Promotion and support – Loans (in German or French)