How to Apply: The 8-Step Process
The Stipendium Hungaricum application process is more complex than most scholarships because you must apply through two separate channels. Miss either one and you're automatically rejected. Here's exactly how to do it right.
Application Wizard
Step 1: Research Programmes (Nov-Dec)
Browse the Stipendium Hungaricum programme catalogue. You can choose a maximum of 2 programmes. This is a strict limit — you cannot change your choices after submission.
Tips:
- • Use the official programme catalogue at apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu
- • Filter by degree level, study field, and language of instruction
- • Check university rankings and city locations
- • Read the university placement guide for strategic choices
Step 2: Contact Your Sending Partner (Dec-Jan)
Find and contact your country's sending partner (usually Ministry of Education or a national scholarship agency). They may have additional requirements beyond what Tempus asks for.
Critical:
- • Your sending partner's deadline may be EARLIER than January 15
- • They may require documents that DreamApply doesn't ask for
- • Some sending partners conduct their own interviews
- • See the sending partners page for a full list
Step 3: Prepare Documents (Dec-Jan)
Gather all required documents. Most need to be officially translated and notarized/apostilled. This takes time — start early.
Core Documents:
- • Online application form (via DreamApply)
- • Motivation letter (1,500-4,000 characters)
- • Academic transcripts with certified translation
- • Degree certificate (or expected graduation letter)
- • Language proficiency certificate
- • Medical certificate (some sending partners require upfront)
- • Full list: Documents page
Step 4: Create DreamApply Account & Submit (Jan)
Register on the DreamApply portal at apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu. Fill out the online form, upload all documents, and select your 2 programme choices. Submit by January 15.
DreamApply Portal Tips:
- • The portal gets extremely slow near the deadline — don't wait until the last day
- • Upload documents in PDF format, under 4MB each
- • Save your application frequently — session timeouts are common
- • You can edit your application until the deadline, but NOT after
- • Take screenshots of your submitted application for your records
Step 5: Submit to Sending Partner (Jan-Feb)
Separately submit your application to your country's sending partner. This is the most commonly missed step. Applying only on DreamApply is NOT enough.
The Dual Submission:
- • Your sending partner reviews and creates a nomination list
- • Only nominated applicants proceed to university review
- • If your name isn't on the nomination list, your DreamApply application is ignored
- • Sending partner deadlines are often BEFORE January 15
Step 6: Sending Partner Nomination (Feb)
Your sending partner reviews all applications from your country and sends a nomination list to Tempus Public Foundation by the end of February.
What Happens:
- • Your sending partner has a quota of nominees
- • Not all applicants get nominated — this is the first filter
- • You usually won't be told if you weren't nominated
- • Some countries nominate 3-5x more than their quota (expecting rejections)
Step 7: University Review & Interview (Mar-May)
Hungarian universities review nominated applications. Some universities conduct online interviews. This is the longest wait — 3+ months with no status updates.
During the Wait:
- • There's no way to check your application status
- • Tempus rarely responds to status inquiries
- • If you're invited for an interview, it's a positive sign
- • Not all programmes interview — it depends on the university
- • See the interview guide for preparation tips
Step 8: Results & Next Steps (Jun-Jul)
Results are announced via email and on the DreamApply portal, typically in June or July. If awarded, you'll have several urgent tasks to complete before the September semester start.
If Awarded:
- • Accept the scholarship offer promptly
- • Submit medical certificate by April 15 (if not already done)
- • Apply for visa/residence permit immediately
- • Arrange accommodation (dormitory or private)
- • Full checklist: After Selection page
Dual Submission: Visual Flowchart
Path A: DreamApply Portal
apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu
Fill online form, upload documents, select 2 programmes
Deadline: January 15
BOTH
required
Path B: Sending Partner
Your country's ministry/agency
Submit application + country-specific docs to sending partner
Deadline: Varies by country
Nomination List Sent to Tempus
Only nominated applicants proceed to university review
Results: June/July
Document Checklist
Track your application preparation progress. Click to check off items.
Common Submission Mistakes
This is the #1 reason for automatic rejection. Many applicants don't realize they need to submit to their country's sending partner separately. The DreamApply application alone is incomplete without the sending partner nomination.
DreamApply requires PDF files under 4MB. Scanned documents should be clear and readable. Blurry scans or images that are too dark have caused rejection in previous years. Use a proper scanner, not your phone camera.
The motivation letter has a strict 1,500-4,000 character limit (not words). DreamApply will cut off text that exceeds the limit. Write in a plain text editor first, check the character count, then paste into DreamApply. See our motivation letter guide for tips.
Documents not in English or Hungarian must be officially translated by a sworn translator. Some countries also require apostille stamps. Getting these takes 1-3 weeks, so start the process early in December.
Every year, DreamApply experiences severe slowdowns on January 14-15 as thousands try to submit simultaneously. The portal has crashed in previous years. Submit at least 2-3 days before the deadline. Extensions are extremely rare and never guaranteed.