Financing

Financing options

Scholarships

In order to be eligible for a scholarship, you should not only have good to very good grades, but also be politically or socially active. This can also be the case in university committees, such as the student council or the AStA. Of course, you don't always have to have an A in front of the decimal point or study at a university: For some time now, foundations have been setting up new support programmes for students at universities of applied sciences. Often, foundations support students not only financially, but also ideally by teaching key qualifications or building valuable contacts. Find out about your options at the University Scholarship Advisory Service or browse the DAAD Scholarship Database. The Studierendenwerk Karlruhe also offers an emergency financial aid and study loans - you can apply here.

STIBET Scholarships for International Students
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) funds with financial means from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AA) the combined scholarship and support programme STIBET which serves for improved assistance and support for international students as well as for hospitable and performance-lifting surrounding conditions for international students at German universities. The STIBET scholarships are a part of this programme. If you study in a Bachelor or Master degree at HKA and if you comply with the requirements mentioned below you can apply.

There are 2 types of scholarships:
+ Graduation scholarships (for study completion)
+ Engagement scholarships (e.g. for beeing a Buddy)
There is no legal claim to a STIBET scholarship.

Application deadline for the study completion grand: June 11, 2023
Application Documents (to be send by mail to the International Office: anna.tillhon@h-ka.de):

• Application Form
• Proof of Enrollment from HKA
• Current transcript
• Proof about start and end of the thesis (issued by professor/faculty)
• For applicants with financial need: please provide documentation of this need (bank statements)

Loans

When other financing options are no longer sufficient or viable, interest-bearing loans can be a solution for students. However, they are usually not suitable for fully financing a course of study, as there is an excessive risk of debt. Before applying for a loan, the following points should be considered:

• First draw up a budget and determine your monthly financing needs.
• Compare the offers, e.g. via the annual CHE student loan test
• Check whether the offer has a debt ceiling
• Go well prepared for the bank counselling interview necessary to close the loan. Loan conditions are often negotiable with private providers.
• Look for flexibility so that you do not have to cope without funding in the event of a semester abroad, but also in the event of a change of subject and/or place of study.
• For interest calculation, contracts with fixed interest rates are more attractive than those with variable interest rates. The amounts paid out should also be fixed and the interest can be deferred so that you do not have to get by with less money at the end of your studies than at the beginning.
• The question of the grace period is particularly important: how long after the end of the funding do you have until you have to start repaying?
• The effective interest rate is decisive for the repayment, not the nominal interest rate, which is often published and somewhat lower

BAföG

The Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz), better known as "BAföG", is a state education support programme that benefits students in particular, in addition to pupils and persons in continuing vocational education. BAföG is granted half as an interest-free loan and half as a grant. Support is granted to German students and students of equal status studying for a Bachelor's degree. The subsequent Master's degree programme can also be funded, but usually not postgraduate or supplementary studies. Further requirements for BAföG entitlement are

• the income of the parents,
• the age (application is usually possible up to the age of 30 for a Bachelor's degree or 35 for a Master's degree),
• the suitability of the applicant for BAföG.
• the suitability through proof of previously completed academic achievements after the fourth semester

For non German- and non-EU students the conditions are different. You can find some information here. 
or you can consult the BAföG-Amt Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe.

Part-time job

Studies at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences are full-time. Nevertheless, for many students a part-time job is a common way to finance their studies. In order to be considered a student under social security law, you may not work more than 20 hours a week during the semester. Income above €450 per month is subject to social security contributions and also counts towards BAföG, which is reduced as a result. Compulsory internships provided for in the study and examination regulations are exempt.

A typical job is that of a student assistant (HiWi). The Online-Career-Center provides an overview of job offers in and outside the university. The Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe also offers a job exchange. A good overview of regulations concerning jobs as a student is provided by the German Student Union

Housing allowance

A student who has no BAföG entitlement or has lost it, or who only receives a loan under BAföG, is generally entitled to housing benefit. This also applies if students have children and live with them in the same household. However, the children may not then receive any other social assistance from the state, child benefit is excluded from this.

The chances of receiving housing benefit in these cases are not bad. The application is made to the authority that is responsible for the place where you live. For example, if you live in the city of Karlsruhe, the Liegenschaftsamt is responsible; if you live in the district of Karlsruhe, the Landratsamt is your contact.