Further financial assistance
Housing benefit & state aid - support to help you! Studying is expensive and sometimes the usual funding options are not quite enough. Fortunately, there are various state aids that can give you a helping hand so that you can concentrate on your studies.
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Housing benefit for students
Housing benefit is a subsidy towards housing costs for people with a low income. However, if you are eligible for BAföG, you are not normally entitled to housing benefit.
In order to apply for housing benefit, you must first apply for BAföG - even if you know for a fact that it will be rejected. The BAföG rejection notice is the proof for the housing benefit office.
You can apply for housing benefit if you are not entitled to BAföG because
- your studies are not eligible for BAföG (e.g. second, postgraduate or supplementary studies),
- you have exceeded the maximum funding period,
- you have reached the age limit,
- you have not submitted a transcript of records,
- you would only receive a loan from BAföG,
- or you do not meet the requirements for BAföG as an international student.
Tip: If you are a student with a child, you can also apply for housing benefit for you and your family under certain conditions.
Help in emergencies - we show you where you can get support!
Sometimes not everything runs smoothly during your studies - a financial crisis, social problems or the news that you are expecting a child and are worried about money. Don't panic: There's the social counseling service of the Studentenwerk Dresden. You can get support and advice there if you find yourself in a difficult situation.
Important to know: Financial aid is only available after a personal consultation. This means: Simply make an appointment with the social counseling service - they will work with you to see what support is right for you.
What help is available?
If you find yourself in a temporary financial emergency, you can apply for a free meal card worth €100 from Studentenwerk Dresden. This allows you to eat in all Studentenwerk canteens and cafeterias - including drinks and desserts. Important: There is only one card per person per year and you have no legal entitlement.
Simply submit proof of your financial hardship (e.g. late payment, illness, debt) and the application with justification and documents to the social counseling service.
If you find yourself in a financial emergency through no fault of your own, you can apply for a one-off grant of up to €1,000 from Studentenwerk Dresden. This support is paid from the social fund and is non-repayable.
Typical reasons for an emergency:
- Illness (physical or psychological)
- Missing payments from parents (e.g. due to war, natural disasters, unemployment)
- Education and maintenance of own children
To apply for the allowance, you must submit an application with supporting documents to the social counseling service. You will then be invited to a personal interview. They will also check whether, for example, a free meal card will also help.
If you are pregnant during your studies and only have a low income, you can apply for a pregnancy allowance from Studentenwerk Dresden. The amount of the pregnancy allowance is €200 plus a free meal ticket worth €50 for the Studentenwerk canteens and cafeterias.
Who can receive the allowance?
- Enrolled female students at universities in the Studentenwerk Dresden area
- Income must not exceed the specified limits (depending on the household situation)
To receive the allowance, you must submit the form with all supporting documents to the Social Counseling Service or the Campus Office Uni mit Kind before the date of birth.
If you are almost finished with your studies but no longer receive BAföG, you can apply for an interest-free loan from Studentenwerk Dresden.
The loan is paid out in monthly installments . However, one to three
1 to 3 guarantors (resident in Germany, 21-65 years old, with verifiable income) are required for the application.
Here, too, you must submit an application to the social counseling service of the Studentenwerk Dresden, stating your reasons and providing the necessary documents.
Studying doesn't always run smoothly - even if you know what credit points, tutorials or SHK are. If you have social or financial problems, sometimes you simply need independent and objective advice.
The social counseling service of Studentenwerk Dresden is your first port of call. It helps all students at Dresden's universities and also students at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.
Tip: Don't be afraid to make an appointment early on - that way you can quickly clarify any problems and get the support you need.
Child benefit for students?
Are you over 18 and studying? Then your parents may continue to receive child benefit - until your 25th birthday. If you move out, child benefit will continue to be paid to your parents by default. However, with their consent, you can apply for the money to be transferred directly to your account - the family benefits office must be informed.
- Child benefit is paid when you start school or vocational training or study for the first time.
- You can work up to 20 hours a week if you are doing a second course of training or studying - income is irrelevant.
- Mini-jobs alongside training are also permitted without losing child benefit.
- In transitional periods (e.g. between school and university) you can continue to receive child benefit - as long as the period is no longer than 4 months.
Child benefit is also paid if you do a practical internship that matches your career goal or if you do voluntary service (e.g. Federal Voluntary Service, FSJ, FÖJ).