High School Awards and Scholarships
The German Society of Maryland encourages the study of the German language in Maryland schools and homeschool programs. To this end, the Society honors Maryland student who excel on the National German Exam and provides a scholarship for the German Summer Study Program conducted by the American Association of the Teachers of German (AATG) and the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD), an agency of the German government.
National German Exam Awards
The National German Exam (NGE), a program of the American Association of the Teachers of German, is administered each year to over 15,000 high school students of German.
Every May, the German Society of Maryland, in conjunction with the Maryland/DC Chapter of the AATG holds an awards ceremony to honor Maryland high school students for their exceptional performance on the NGE.
During the 2022/23 school year, 208 Maryland students took the National German Exam (NGE). Of these, 62 received Gold Medals, 24 received Silver Medals, and 21 received Bronze Medals. The German Society provides a cash award to the Gold- and Silver-Medal winners on the Level 2, 3, and 4 exams. Typically these are students in their sophomore, junior, or senior years. This year, Gold-Medal winners who came to the awards ceremony received $85, and Silver-Medal winners received $50.
German Summer Study Scholarship
For over 10 years, the German Society of Maryland has provided a scholarship to a Maryland high school student to participate in the German Summer Study Program. The study program is a joint undertaking of the AATG and the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD), an agency of the German government.
The German Summer Study Program for High School Students provides a three-week homestay and school experience. Students attend classes at a Gesamtschule or Gymnasium (high school), live with the family of a sibling who attends the school, visit regional attractions, and experience the German language and culture firsthand. Students return speaking German better–with a greater sense of confidence, maturity, and independence.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be U.S citizens, enrolled in a Maryland high school or home school program, have completed at least 2 years of high school German, and be between the ages of 15 and 17 during the entire study trip. Additional eligibility requirements are listed on the online application form.
The Society is now accepting applications for the 2024 Scholarship
Applications, letters of recommendation, and transcripts must be received by midnight, January 12, 2024.
Students can view the all eligibility and application requirements and submit an application by clicking on the button below.
Members of the Society are encouraged to forward information about the scholarship to students who may be eligible for it.
Members may also nominate a student by forwarding the name and email or address of a candidate to the Society’s Education Committee. The Education Committee will then contact the student and provide a link to the online application. Please submit any nominations as soon as possible so that the students have time to complete the application.
Donate to the Educational Fund
Donations to support the educational activities of the German Society of Maryland, including the Summer Scholarship program, may be made on line by clicking on the link below. Your support is appreciated.