Corona bridging assistance will be extended again!

The consequences of the Corona pandemic are also noticeable in everyday student life. Students who rely on income from part-time jobs are particularly affected. Due to the many closures, for example in the catering trade, many of them have lost an important opportunity to finance their studies. Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek and Deutsche Studentenwerk (DSW) have therefore agreed to continue offering bridging assistance for students in pandemic-related emergencies throughout the summer semester of 2021. Applications for a grant of up to 500 euros per month can be made online.

Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek explains:

"I receive many letters in which students describe their very personal situation to me. I take these concerns and fears seriously. It is important to me that no one has to stop their studies because they lost their jobs or their parents' income has decreased. That's why it's important that the bridging assistance is now smoothly offered as support for students throughout the summer semester of 2021.

However, we also know that there are many students who do not receive benefits from BAföG, even though they are entitled. I encourage students to first submit a regular application for BAföG."

Achim Meyer auf der Heyde, Secretary General of Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW), which unites the 57 Studentenwerke and Studierendenwerke nationwide, explains:

"The Studentenwerke and Studierendenwerke are also supporting in the summer semester of 2021 students who have got into a financial emergency as a result of the pandemic. Studierendenwerke are helping, and their employees are working hard to provide bridging assistance. The longer the pandemic lasts, the more essential the systemic relevance of student and student services becomes."

Background:

Students at state-recognized universities in Germany have been able to apply online for bridging assistance in the form of a grant from the responsible Studierendenwerk or Studentenwerk to reduce pandemic-related emergencies since June 2020. This assistance will also be offered smoothly for the entire summer semester of 2021.

Bridging assistance as a grant is only one part of the BMBF's offer for students in pandemic-related emergencies. The second support of the bridging assistance is the KfW student loan, which has been made interest-free for borrowers until the end of the year. The student loan is a proven program of Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). Since 2006, it has offered students the opportunity to borrow up to 650 euros per month. Students at all state-recognized universities in Germany between the ages of 18 and 44 are eligible if they meet one of the following requirements:

• German citizens with a domestic registration address,
• Family members of a German citizen who reside with him or her in Germany and are registered here,
• EU citizens who have legally resided permanently in Germany for at least three years and are registered here,
• Family members of such an EU citizen who reside with him or her in Germany and are registered here,
• Residents of Germany who are registered in Germany.
• More informationen: www.kfw.de/studienkredit-coronahilfe.

Further information:

FAQ of BMBF about the bridging assistance:

https://www.bmbf.de/de/wissenswertes-zur-ueberbrueckungshilfe-fuer-studierende-11509.html