Hardship procedure

Students in particularly serious social and economic hardship situations can submit a hardship application and, if the application is approved, receive a refund of the student body fee in accordance with Section 2 (2) point 5 of the Fee Regulations (semester ticket amount). Provisional approval is also possible if you do not have sufficient financial means to pay the full semester fee during the re-registration period.

The upper income limit for the approval of a hardship application with regard to economic hardship is currently calculated from the following amounts:

• 300 EUR/person as an allowance
• Rental costs (appropriateness analogous to the local rent level that applies to housing benefit)
• Ancillary housing costs (heating, electricity, water)
• Costs for an internet connection
• Amount of the broadcasting fee, if this is payable
• Costs for health and long-term care insurance, if these are to be paid by yourself

The following documents must be submitted together with your hardship application:

• Hardship form
• Income assessment form (to be completed by all persons living in the household)
• Written explanation of the hardship and efforts

In case of economic hardship additionally:

• BaföG notification (also rejection)
• Proof of income for at least the last 3 months (in the form of bank statements)
• Certificate of enrollment
• Proof of health and long-term care insurance
• Proof of rent and incidental rental costs
• Proof of social benefits (see income determination form)
• Notification of broadcasting fee (optional)
• Proof of Internet connection costs (optional)

You can find the hardship form with the necessary attachments in the download area.

You can find all detailed information regarding eligible applicants, income definition, approval criteria, form and deadlines etc. in the hardship regulations.

If you have any questions, you can contact us by e-mail or telephone.