The fridge is as empty as the bank account
Well over half of all students have to work to finance their studies. The high rents in Darmstadt, the cost of living and learning materials mean that ten to twenty hours a week are often spent on so-called jobbing. If the care of a child is added to this, there is little time to breathe. There is no time to clear the head and summon up the creativity and ability to concentrate that are repeatedly demanded in the seminars.
Help in precarious situations
And the most important thing: absolutely nothing can be allowed to go off the rails. Losing one's job, a not uncommon experience in the current economic climate, can make it difficult or even impossible to continue one's studies. Due to a lack of financial reserves, it is often small sums - the next rent, the health insurance contribution, the semester fee - that lead to major problems. International students are particularly affected by these difficulties. The non-profit organisationVerein zu Förderung in Not geratener Studierender an der Hochschule Darmstadt e. V. (Association for the Support of Students in Need at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences) has set itself the goal of helping students in such precarious situations to get their feet back on the ground.
Financial Support
The main task of the association is to support students in unexpected emergencies. After a detailed examination of their financial situation, the association supports students by taking over their rent, health insurance contributions or providing them with (food) vouchers if they find themselves in a financial emergency through no fault of their own. This includes, among other things, the loss of a job, the inability to work during examination periods, unpaid internships or final theses, or unexpected family changes. Support is always provided in the form of non-cash vouchers or transfers directly to the landlord or health insurance company. However, semester fees are not covered.
Counselling vouchers
Not all emergencies can be alleviated by financial support. That's why it's good to have experts at your side. Through a cooperation with the Caritasverband Darmstadt e. V., the association can issue vouchers for all counselling services offered by the Caritasverband. These include, for example, general life counselling, debt counselling, addiction or pregnancy counselling or support in mental crises. In addition, the association acts as part of a network to inform those affected about the help available from other social organisations in Darmstadt and to provide the necessary information as an information pool.
Nothing but debts? - Doesn't have to be
Unexpected emergencies cannot be foreseen and happen. That's when the association can help. But many financial problems can be avoided if you take a good look at your finances. How much income do I have available each month, what expenses do I have for it each month (e.g. rent and health insurance contribution), each half year (semester contribution) or each year (e.g. liability insurance)? Getting an overview of what needs to be paid when and with what priority does not necessarily prevent you from getting into debt, but at least you have an overview. And if there is barely enough money to pay the rent or health insurance premiums, you can't go shopping or you have to cancel your gym membership. Nothing but debts? Doesn't have to be.
