Financing your Studies – Studying with a Plan

Studying is worthwhile: it provides access to knowledge and opens up career prospects. We will show you ways to secure financing for your dream degree.
Termine
Weitere TermineNews
More newsCounselling Services in Potsdam
If you have a specific need for advice, simply send us an e-mail. We will be happy to put you in touch. In addition, we offer you detailed information on financing your studies in Potsdam on these pages. The main contact persons for questions about financing your studies in Potsdam are:
Studentenwerk Potsdam
The Studentenwerk Potsdam is the service provider for students in Potsdam, Wildau and Brandenburg an der Havel. It operates student halls of residence, refectories and cafeterias and offers a wide range of counselling services on student financing, job placement and social and psychotherapeutic counselling.
General Student Committee (AStA) of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Students of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam who need advice can contact the General Student Committee (AStA) of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.
The AStA is the student representation of the university. Here, you can take advantage of counselling and apply for funding for projects, among other things.
Furthermore, the AStA of the University of Applied Sciences cooperates closely with the AStA of the University of Potsdam, so that further counselling services are available:
Potsdam advice centre of the Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg
The Counselling Centre of the Brandenburg Consumer Advice Centre (Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg ) offers a wide range of counselling services on topics related to general living costs, which are free of charge for students of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam:
- Counselling on study and living costs
- Counselling on financial and insurance issues (including student loans)
- Counselling on general consumer issues (from fitness contracts to broadcasting fees)
- Energy-saving advice
- Advice on telephone and internet services
Registration is requested.
Potsdam advice centre of the Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg
arbeiterkind.de
Social background must not determine a person's educational path. The vision of arbeiterkind.de is that in Germany every child from a non-academic family with suitable qualifications should have the chance to advance in education. Detailed regional counselling and open meetings are parts of the offer.
6 Tips for the Student Purse
Licence fee
The following students have the possibility to be exempted from the licence fee(GEZ):
- Students who receive support under the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (BAföG) and do not live with their parents. When applying, a certified copy of the BAföG decision must be enclosed. This can be obtained for a fee of 2.00 Euros from the Studentenwerk at the BAföG Office.
- Students with extensive physical restrictions can apply for an exemption or reduction in fees
Child benefit
Child benefit does not count as income in Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (BAföG) and is paid until the child reaches the age of 25. Child benefit is usually paid to the parents. However, the student can also request that the child benefit claim be transferred to him*her if no educational maintenance is paid from either side. If trainees earn their own income (and this also includes BAföG in the amount of the grant), the maximum income limit of 7.680 Euros gross for the receipt of child benefit must be observed. Income-related expenses and other provident expenses/social security contributions are deducted from the income. For example, if you are entitled to BAföG of 530 Euros per month and have additional student income from a mini-job of 400 Euros per month, you will still be entitled to child benefit.
BAföG funding independent of parents
There are three situations in which the parents' income is not taken into account when applying for BAföG:
- Students who have been gainfully employed for at least three years after vocational training and for whom training and gainful employment together amount to at least six years. Gainful employment must be linked to a certain minimum income.
- Students who have been gainfully employed for at least five years after their 18th birthday and have earned a certain minimum income.
- Students who start their studies after their 30th birthday and are still eligible for financial support.
Unemployment benefit II/Social benefit
If you apply for a semester off due to illness, pregnancy or bringing up a child, you are no longer entitled to BAföG. However, if a need for assistance is established, there is a claim to assistance for living expenses via unemployment benefit ll.
Another reason for entitlement to unemployment benefit ll is part-time study. However, this is only intended to bridge the time until a job is found. The situation is different for part-time studies with compulsory attendance, as it can be more difficult to be gainfully employed here.
The following persons are entitled to an additional needs supplement:
- Pregnant women after the twelfth week of pregnancy
- Single parents with children
- Seriously ill persons
Family members of students are entitled to social benefits if they are not able to work. For children, this amount increases with age.
Refund of semester ticket fee
The General Student Committee (AStA) provides information on the possibilities of getting the semester ticket fee back. There is also a social fund for students who cannot afford the ticket.
Current account
Most accounts for students are free of charge. In addition, many providers offer a free EC card. As a rule, it is sufficient to submit a valid certificate of study each semester as proof. It is definitely advisable to compare the offers of the individual providers and thus save a lot of money each year.
Studying in Special Life Situations
Studying with a child
Not easy – but doable and plannable. You can find more information on the pages of our family affairs commissioner.
Study abroad
For students who would like to gain experience abroad and are considering a stay abroad, the International Office offers information on funding programmes and scholarships.
Studying in times of housing shortage
The cost of rent is one of the largest items in student finance. Living in Potsdam and Berlin is expensive. All information about living in Potsdam.