Many ways of financial support
At state universities in Rhineland-Palatinate, first degree studies are generally free of charge. Only a semester fee is charged. Nevertheless, for many, financing their living expenses during their studies is a major challenge. At least, that is what the latest surveys by the German Student Union(Deutsches Studentenwerk) on the economic and social situation of the approximately 2.8 million students in Germany(www.sozialerhebung.de) show. Before you rule out studying for financial reasons, first find out what options are available for financing your studies. You will probably find one or two options that you may not have thought of yet. We have put together some useful tips for you on this page.
The classic: BAföG
According to the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), support is primarily provided to those whose own assets are not sufficient to finance their studies and whose parents cannot (sufficiently) support them in financing their studies. However, you can find a lot of general information on the web (for example, at www.bafög.de) and also a BAföG calculator with which you can first check whether you are entitled to the education subsidy: www.bafoeg-rechner.de/Rechner/
On-site consulting options
You prefer to be advised personally? No problem: Simone Auns and Andrea Henninger, two competent contact persons, are available at the BAföG office of the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences. The BAföG office is open on Tuesdays (9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and Thursdays (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.).
Jobbing next to your studies
Almost two-thirds of students have a job alongside their studies, either permanently or only occasionally. Such a part-time job not only helps to finance (or at least supplement) one's living expenses. If students also succeed in finding a job that is related to their field of study, they can gain practical experience and lay the first foundations for their career planning. The prospects for a "sideline" are not bad at all: numerous jobs for student assistants are offered at the university itself. But in the economically strong Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, there are of course also plenty of interesting companies outside the university that offer exciting internships or job prospects. Our university's own Career Portal mediates between supply and demand and has already launched many successful employment relationships.
Scholarships - not only for high-flyers
Ever thought about a scholarship to get financial support as a student? Let's get one thing straight right away: No, it's not just for people with straight A's! Because in addition to the academic qualities, personal qualities of the applicants are also decisive. We welcome independent and (self-)critical thinkers with a sense of responsibility that is reflected, for example, in their university, social, ecclesiastical or political commitment. Apart from direct material benefits, non-material support in the form of seminars, stays abroad and networking contacts should not be neglected. And it goes without saying that being part of a study foundation looks good on your résumé.
The chances for a scholarship are better than expected
There are a total of 13 major organizations for the promotion of the gifted that receive financial support from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)(www.stipendiumplus.de). These include such well-known names as the German National Academic Foundation, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. In addition, students at the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences are eligible for funding from a few selected foundations with which we have close ties - including the Stipendienprogramm Ludwigshafen (StipLU) e.V., which deliberately supports underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. And last but not least, more than a dozen of our students are currently benefiting from a Deutschlandstipendium. They receive 300 euros a month, half of which is paid by the federal government and half by private donors. Overall, the chances of receiving a scholarship are higher than students generally believe. It is therefore worthwhile to obtain more detailed information. You can get this information on our scholarship info page, among other places. Another excellent opportunity to find out about scholarship opportunities is the Scholarship Day, which takes place once a year at the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences.
Study pioneers are especially welcome in Ludwigshafen!
In its mission statement, the university has formulated the goal of supporting educational advancement and promoting the compatibility of studies, career and family. We are therefore pleased that the proportion of so-called "study pioneers", i.e. students from non-academic parental homes, at our university is above average in a national comparison. We work very closely here with the Arbeiterkind.de network, which has also opened a regional office at the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences since April 2017.
For more information, visit www.arbeiterkind.de.
The contact person in Ludwigshafen is Shamila Borchers(borchers@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 arbeiterkind.de)
Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences, E Building, Room E 1019
Other funding opportunities
There are other ways to get money, although student loans should rather be considered as a last resort, for example to bridge financing gaps at the end of studies. The federal government's education loan program provides financial support for education and study. The education loan is a temporary, low-interest loan designed to support students in advanced stages of their education.
The KfW student loan is designed to help students finance their living expenses during their first degree. A maximum of 650 EURO per month over 14 semesters is possible. A combination with other subsidies is generally possible.
Useful and further links
- Are you interested in studying? Everything you should know about HWG LU as a prospective student can be found in our Quick Link PDF for downloading
- General information on the subject of BAföG (brochure with examples, legal basis, leaflets, forms, etc.) can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) at www.bafög.de.
- The most frequently asked questions about BAföG can be found at www.bafoeg-rechner.de/FAQ/ueberhaupt.php.
- BAföG office of HWG-LU with important information, contact persons and opening hours at www.hwg-lu.de/service/ausbildungsfoerderung-bafoeg.html
- BAföG for you too? The German Student Union (Deutsches Studentenwerk) provides information on types of funding, requirements, loan amounts, and much more. With application forms for download. www.studentenwerke.de
- Information for foreign students and funding opportunities for foreign and German students at www.daad.de.
- To keep an overview in the scholarship jungle, we recommend the site www.mystipendium.de.
- More on the topic of support for the gifted, scholarships, and the scholarship organizations that work with the Ministry of Education at www.stipendiumplus.de.
- The BMBF also provides information on grants for gifted students, education loans and upgrading grants on its website at www.xn--bafg-7qa.de/de/weitere-foerdermoeglichkeiten-519.php.