Other sources of funding

Have you ever thought about a scholarship?

Scholarships also offer a variety of funding opportunities. However, there are also very different funding criteria and you need to plan enough time from the application to the actual funding. As a rule, a few basic rules apply to all funding opportunities. You have to apply for funding yourself (in writing). This often involves a selection procedure (sometimes lasting several days).

As a prerequisite, it is usually assumed that the applicants:

• demonstrate exceptional achievements and willingness to perform,
• demonstrate openness to the world, broad interests and exceptional commitment,
• possess practical and social skills, including a willingness to take on responsibility,
• meet the special requirements of the scholarship provider (according to the respective scholarship provider, e.g. students from non-academic backgrounds, women, German nationality, etc.),
• be willing to participate in events within the scope of the non-material sponsorship (e.g. church sponsors).

Scholarships do not have to be repaid

As a rule, expert opinions on the assessment of academic qualifications and expert opinions on the assessment of personality and extracurricular commitment must also be submitted. These can usually be requested from professors or appropriate persons or institutions (e.g. church congregations). In most cases, you will have to apply to a scholarship programme yourself. You will have to invest a lot of time in the beginning. But it's worth it when you get a scholarship. This is because a scholarship does not have to be paid back. The material support for each student currently amounts to an average of up to 750 euros in basic support plus a 300-euro flat-rate tuition fee per month. Study visits, internships or language courses abroad can be funded separately. You can find detailed information on the stipendiumplus.de website.

Interested in an exchange with scholarship holders?

The Student Advisory Service of the Student Service Centre is in contact with various scholarship holders of the h_da and other universities. If you would like to exchange information with a student who is receiving a scholarship from the Begabtenförderungswerke, simply contact the SSC personally.

For a good overview of the various funding opportunities, we recommend the following websites:

stipendiumplus.de

stiftungen.org

daad.de

mystipendium.de

aufstiegsstipendien.de

Much used, but expensive

A student loan can also be an option for financing your studies. Four out of five students who are currently receiving a loan use the KfW Student Loan.

Caution: high interest rate

However, the KfW interest rate averages 4 percent, which is very high. So before you decide to take out a loan, you should check whether there really is no other option because of the not inconsiderable interest rates: BAföG, savings, a loan from your parents or other relatives, a scholarship, housing benefit, a job, an educational loan for Bachelor's students from the third semester onwards, or a graduation loan in the last semester of your studies. You should be aware that you may start your career with a mountain of debt.

Get advice!

If you can't avoid a loan, be sure to get advice from the AStA or the Studierendenwerk beforehand. The consumer centres also offer well-founded, independent credit counselling.

Further information

Information on student loans can be found on the KfW website.

Advice and applications can be obtained from the Studierendenwerk Darmstadt, Department of Student Financing.

You can find more general information on student loans at studis-online.de/studienkredit.

Child benefit for students up to the age of 25

Child benefit is an important additional source of funding during your studies. As a rule, it is paid up to the age of 25. It is important that you are in a "child benefit-relevant education". This includes compulsory internships, semesters abroad and leave of absence due to illness, maternity or exam preparation. In this case, there are no restrictions on additional earnings.

Observe additional earnings limits

The situation is different if you have already completed a course of study or vocational training and are starting a second course of study - for example, a Master's degree. In this case, you or your parents can continue to receive child benefit, but different supplementary income limits apply if you have a mini-job (marginal or short-term) or a regular job taking into account the 20-hour rule.

Child benefit paid directly to you

By the way, child benefit can also be paid directly to you. The prerequisite for this is that you run an independent household and look after yourself and therefore do not receive any maintenance from your parents.

Sometimes you are also entitled to housing benefit.

In certain situations, students can also apply for housing allowance. If, for example, you are no longer entitled to BAföG (e.g. because you have exceeded the maximum funding period or the age limit), you may be entitled to housing benefit. Since this topic is quite complex, we recommend the DGB Youth website, which provides a good overview.

Apply at your primary residence

You can apply for housing benefit at the place where your primary residence is registered. In Darmstadt, the housing office is responsible.

Find out more

You can find information about housing allowance, including information for students, on the website of the city of Darmstadt. But don't give up just yet, the information for students can be found after the general information at the end of the page.