Digital Annual Report 2023

Studierendenwerk has published its annual report for 2023. A look at the figures provides information about the operating results in another challenging year.

GASTRONOMY
The Studierendenwerk's university dining department once again faced a number of challenges, which were exacerbated by ongoing inflation, the energy crisis and geopolitical conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. These factors have repeatedly led to supply bottlenecks and rising food prices. The poor staffing situation also continued to be an issue, which was reflected in particular in the closure of counters and a reduction in the range on offer. Despite all this, the Studierendenwerk's university dining department made significant progress last year and found good solutions to maintain its services and meet the needs of students.
Following the coronavirus pandemic, all nine dining halls reopened in the reporting year. Overall, the number of meals increased by 35%, from 1.7 million portions in 2022 to 2.7 million in 2023. Total revenue from all facilities amounted to 8,255,221 euros (2022: 6,011,676 euros).

RESIDENCE
In 2023, student housing made great efforts to address structural and social changes in the halls of residence. This included active support for student self-administration as well as new advisory services and financial assistance, which became necessary due to the energy crisis and political conflicts.

Studierendenwerk provided 4,960 beds in 24 halls of residence in the reporting year. At the start of the winter semester 2023/2024, there were around 6,500 applicants on the waiting list, including around 4,000 applicants who still needed a place to live at the start of the winter semester. The remaining applicants were already applying for the summer semester 2024 or for a later date. Demand was highest for apartments, followed by shared rooms, single rooms, single rooms with bathroom, two-room apartments and double apartments. There was little demand for family apartments and apartments suitable for the disabled.

The accommodation available in the halls of residence was almost 100 percent occupied in 2023. Studierendenwerk recorded a total of 2,305 new move-ins (2022: 2,080). The average rent was 255 euros.

BAFÖG
In 2023, the BAföG Office assisted students at RWTH Aachen University, Aachen University of Applied Sciences (Aachen and Jülich campuses), the University of Music and Dance in Cologne (Aachen department) and the Catholic University of Applied Sciences NRW (Aachen department). A total of 7,953 initial and repeat applications were approved (2022: 7,073), resulting in financial support totaling 56.8 million euros. The average funding per capita amounted to around 654 euros per month.

CHILDCARE
The five childcare facilities of Studierendenwerk Aachen recorded a total of 52 new admissions with a total of 174 places (including four overcrowded places). This number of new admissions reflects the continued interest and high demand for childcare for student families. There were once again numerous requests from parents in the reporting year, which unfortunately could not be met. Studierendenwerk is therefore continuing its efforts to meet childcare needs in the best possible way and to improve the general conditions for student parents. With this in mind, new daycare centers are being planned in cooperation between RWTH Aachen University and Studierendenwerk.

The annual report for 2023 has been published as a digital version.
to the complete report