Michael von Zoller Foundation - Michael von Zoller Foundation

Michael von Zoller Foundation scholarship

You will receive a one-off payment of 1,000 EUR per school or study year to cover the costs of attending school or university in Austria. You may submit the application once a year. The money comes from a charitable foundation run by the Lower Austrian provincial government. It supports students who are in financial need and have a connection to Lower Austria, Vienna or Tyrol.

Who can apply

• Level: You are duly enrolled at an Austrian secondary school leading to the Matura, or you are a duly enrolled pupil.
• Where you study: You are studying at an Austrian university, a private university of applied sciences, a university of applied sciences, a university of teacher training, the University of Agriculture and Environmental Education, or a music conservatoire.
• Field of study: All compartments are open.
• Nationality: You hold Austrian citizenship.
• Where you live: Your main place of residence is in Lower Austria or in 1070 Vienna, or you were born with your main place of residence in Tyrol or South Tyrol. You are also eligible if you bear the founder’s surname (‘von Zoller’) or are related to the founder.
• Financial need: You receive state school or study grant, or your family’s net income last year was below the specified threshold. For an adult, this amounted to 2024 1,217.96 euros net per month in 2024; lower thresholds applied to other family members.
• Progress: You are making good progress with your studies. Students must achieve at least 30 ECTS credits per year on a Bachelor’s or Diplom programme, 20 on a Master’s programme, and 12 on a PhD programme. Pupils must qualify to move up to the next year group.

How to apply

Please submit the completed and signed application form, together with the required supporting documents, to the Finance Department of the State Administration. The application period runs from 15 September to 15 May of the current school or academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is subject to very strict criteria. You must be an Austrian citizen and be able to prove that you are permanently resident in Lower Austria, Vienna or Tyrol; you must also demonstrate that you are in genuine financial hardship. As a result, the pool of eligible applicants remains small, meaning that a suitable candidate who documents their hardship and meets the progress requirements has a good chance of success. Please note that the foundation’s funds for 2026 have already been exhausted. You should therefore apply for the following year and submit your application early, as soon as the application window opens.