das  Stipendium

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/stɪpɛnˈdi̯ʊm/

📚 What Exactly is a Stipendium?

A Stipendium (article: das) is a *financial support* or *grant*, usually awarded to *pupils, students, scientists,* or *artists* to enable or facilitate their *education, a research project,* or an *artistic endeavor*. It typically involves *monetary payments* that *do not need to be repaid*.

Unlike a *loan* (*Darlehen*) or *credit* (*Kredit*), a *Stipendium* is often tied to specific conditions, such as *good academic performance* (*gute Leistungen*), *financial need* (*finanzielle Bedürftigkeit*), *social engagement* (*gesellschaftliches Engagement*), or a particular *field of study* (*Studienfach*) or *research topic* (*Forschungsthema*).

🚨 The word 'Stipendium' is always *neuter*, hence it's always das Stipendium.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Stipendium

The noun „Stipendium“ is *neuter*. Here are the declension tables:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Er hat sich erfolgreich um das Stipendium beworben.
   (He successfully applied for the scholarship.)
2. Die Höhe des Stipendiums reicht leider nicht für alle Kosten.
   (Unfortunately, the amount of the scholarship doesn't cover all costs.)
3. Mit dem Stipendium kann sie nun im Ausland studieren.
   (With the scholarship, she can now study abroad.)
4. Viele Stiftungen vergeben Stipendien an begabte junge Menschen.
   (Many foundations award scholarships to talented young people.)

🗣️ How to Use 'Stipendium' Correctly

The word Stipendium is mainly used in the context of *education, science,* and *art*.

• Typical Verbs: *ein Stipendium beantragen* (*to apply for*), *bekommen* (*to get*), *erhalten* (*to receive*), *vergeben* (*to award*), *verlieren* (*to lose a scholarship*).
• Context: People often talk about a *Studienstipendium* (*study scholarship*), *Forschungsstipendium* (*research grant*), *Promotionsstipendium* (*doctoral scholarship*), *Auslandsstipendium* (*scholarship for studying abroad*), or *Vollstipendium* (*full scholarship*) versus *Teilstipendium* (*partial scholarship*).
• Distinction: A *Stipendium* is not a general *social benefit* like *BAföG* (German federal student loan/grant system, although they can sometimes be combined) and not a *salary* (*Gehalt*) for work. It's *purpose-bound funding*.
• Stipendiat/in: The person receiving a scholarship is called *der Stipendiat* (male) or *die Stipendiatin* (female).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Stipendium'

For the article 'das': Think of other *neuter* German words ending in '-ium' often related to education or institutions: das Studium (*study*), das Auditorium (*auditorium*), das Museum (*museum*) all need funding – perhaps through das Stipendium?

For the meaning: A Stipendium helps you with your Studium. (Similar sound and context).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse 'Stipendium' with 'Honorar' (*fee* for freelance work) or 'Preisgeld' (*prize money* for a competition, although scholarships can be competitive).

😄 A Little Laugh

Fragt der Professor den Studenten: „Haben Sie für Ihre tolle Abschlussarbeit eigentlich ein Stipendium bekommen?“
(The professor asks the student: "Did you actually get a scholarship for your great thesis?")

Antwortet der Student: „Nein, Herr Professor, meine Eltern mussten alles selbst bezahlen – das war eher ein ‚Straf-pendium‘!“
(The student replies: "No, Professor, my parents had to pay for everything themselves – it was more of a 'punish-pendium'!")

(Play on words: 'Stipendium' sounds like 'Strafe' = punishment)

📜 Poetic Words on the Stipendium

Ein Traum vom Wissen, weit und groß,
doch knapp die Mittel, schwer das Los.
Da winkt die Chance, hell und klar,
das Stipendium, wunderbar!

Es öffnet Türen, ebnet Bahn,
fängt neuen Mut zu fassen an.
Für Forschung, Kunst und Studienglück,
gibt's finanzielle Stärk' zurück.

A dream of knowledge, vast and grand,
But means are scarce, a heavy hand.
Then comes a chance, so bright and clear,
The scholarship, dispelling fear!

It opens doors, paves the way,
Inspires new courage every day.
For research, art, and study's bliss,
Financial strength returned with this.

🧩 A Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Lohn, muss nicht zurückgezahlt,
helfe Studierenden, dass ihr Traum nicht alt.
Bin oft begehrt, durch Leistung zu erreichen,
um hohe Kosten auszugleichen.

Was bin ich?

I am not a wage, don't need repaying,
Help students so their dreams aren't graying.
Often sought after, earned through merit bright,
To balance costs and make things right.

What am I?
(Answer: Das Stipendium / The scholarship)

🤓 Interesting Facts about Stipendium

• Origin: The word comes from the Latin stipendium, which originally meant 'pay', 'payment', or 'contribution' (from stips = 'small coin', 'offering' and pendere = 'to weigh', 'to pay').
• Foundations (*Stiftungen*): Many scholarships are awarded by private or public foundations (e.g., *Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes*, *DAAD - German Academic Exchange Service*).
• Variety: There is a huge variety of scholarships (*Stipendien*) available for almost every field and situation, from gifted student programs to those based on social criteria.