Financing
In order to successfully begin your studies, it is very important to consider how you will finance your degree programme before matriculation. There are several possibilities for financing higher education in Germany. For general questions or if you need help with your application, we are happy to advise you during our office hours. Financing options include:
BAföG (federal financial aid)
BAföG offers one possibility for students who cannot fund the cost of their studies independently. You can apply for BAföG if you are:
- Officially recognised as entitled to asylum status,
- Officially recognised as a refugee, or
- A “subsidiär Schutzberechtiger” – you do not meet the requirements for refugee status as defined by the Geneva Convention, but you can provide serious reasons why you would have faced serious harm had you remained in your country of origin.
“Geduldeter Flüchtlinge” or those with certain humanitarian residence permits can likewise apply for BAföG at the end of a specified minimum duration of residence. Since January 1st 2016, this required period is 15 consecutive, legally recognised (“rechtmäßigen, gestatteten oder geduldeten”) months of residence.
As long as your asylum application is still being considered, you may not apply for BAföG.
The government will pay a maximum of 735 Euros per month (as of Fall 2016). Five years after completion of a degree programme, half of the money, but no more than 10,000 Euros overall, must be paid back (as of July 2016). This policy applies regardless of how long you have been in Germany.
Please note: If you receive aid through BAföG, it will be determined by a case-by-case review of all documents.
The Coordinating Center for Refugee Integration offers accompaniment and support throughout the application process.
More information can be found on the website for BAföG Counselling from the TU Darmstadt Student Union.
Scholarships
In Germany there are numerous possibilities to receive aid through a scholarship. These are awarded by foundations and donors with the goal of supporting students during their studies. Therefore, it is very important to consider that many scholarships require a long application process, and there is no guarantee it will result in an award.
An overview of scholarship possibilities is offered by Stipendienlotse, or the Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst (DAAD). On both platforms you will find search filters which will help you narrow down the options.
For further questions about scholarships, the Coordinating Center for Refugee Integration (ZKF) is happy to help during their office hours.
Costs you must consider
| Cost Calculation for a Degree Programme in Darmstadt | |
| Rent | about 300 – 450 Euro |
| Required health insurance (including long term care insurance) | about 85 Euro |
| Food, clothes, etc. | about 200 Euro |
| Books and school supplies | depends on the programme |
| Telephone, Internet, etc. | about 15-50 Euro |
|
Semester fees (biannual, as of Summer Semester 2016): (Includes, for instance, a RMV-Ticket for public transportation, and discounts in the dining hall and at various cultural site and for different activities (i.e. the Staatstheater). Here you will find more information about the composition of semester fees.) | about 260 Euro |