Financial support for highly talented students is provided by a number of organizations, such as trade unions, churches or political parties. In order to receive a scholarship, applicants usually have to undergo a selection process and meet certain criteria. While some organizations select applicants on the basis of merit and grades, others focus more on volunteer work. Do your research - it is worth it!
The core nationwide organizations and foundations for the support of talented students can be found here.
The website mystipendium.de offers a meta-search engine for scholarships. A matching procedure helps students find exactly which scholarships and other forms of student financing are available and most suitable, in each specific case. The site's database contains more than 2,100 scholarship programs and other grants with an annual total value of more than 465 million euros.
The website Fernstudium-Direkt.de provides the Supported Learning dossier. Its authors not only provide an overview of all the large funding agencies, but also specifically name smaller sponsors and local programs. It also explains the advantages of a scholarship, the various requirements to be met and the application procedures involved. Likewise included are chapters on scholarships for students, professionals and those who would like to study abroad. The dossier can be downloaded here.