Financing and Support
“How can I fund my studies?” is an important and occasionally decisive question. Although financing a degree program can sometimes pose a huge challenge, there are ways to find a solution that will suit anyone’s individual circumstances.
These pages will tell you how much it costs to study at the University of Bonn and what your funding options are alongside or as an alternative to financial support from your parents.
Helping Students Get Started
Students who are just getting started on their degree program and can demonstrate a reliance on financial support have two ways to obtain a one-off grant. One is offered jointly by the German federal and state governments, while the other is provided by the General Students’ Committee (AStA) together with the Studierendenwerk Bonn.
Federal and state governments
The “getting started” grant is designed for students who are enrolling at a university for the first time. They must also have claimed certain welfare benefits in the month prior to commencing their studies. Application deadlines:
- Winter semester: November 30
- Summer semester: May 31
AStA and Studierendenwerk Bonn
Together with the AStA at the University of Bonn, the Studierendenwerk Bonn provides financial support to help new students with significant welfare needs to get started, covering their semester fee for the first semester they are enrolled.
Support during your studies
BAföG
Under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), students who do not have enough money to live on and fund their education are legally entitled to individual support.
Scholarships
Besides BAföG, scholarships are a key component of student finance. They are particularly attractive as they are a form of study support that does not usually need to be paid back.
Working while studying
Many students take a job on the side to fund their studies. In an ideal scenario, this does not only provide them with an income but also gives them real-life experience that can be valuable for their degree and their entry into a career further down the line.
International Students
On the following pages, international students will find information about financing and funding opportunities as well as information about the costs of studying.
Parental maintenance
Parents are legally required to fund their children’s education – even after they turn 18 – until they have completed a first higher education degree. This means that parents generally have a maintenance obligation until the end of their children’s studies.
Family allowance
Parents can apply for family allowance for children under 25 who are studying for a degree. It can be used as a regular contribution to funding their children’s studies.
Loans
You can also take out a loan in order to fund your studies. Your options include the federal government’s Education Loan and student loans provided by various banks.
Semester fee
As a state university, the University of Bonn does not charge tuition fees. However, all students are required to pay a semester fee once a semester. The bulk of the fee is used to finance student transit passes. Around one third goes to the Studierendenwerk, which, for example, is involved in maintaining the canteens, providing accommodation for students or organizing educational support/grants. Smaller amounts go to the student self-administration (AStA), the student councils and University Sports. Student social services and assistance funds are also supported.
Studienfinanzierung und studentisches Wohnen - Uni Bonn
Student Finance Flyer
The Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service’s student finance flyer provides a clear and concise overview of all the relevant information for you to print out and read.
83%
of all students receive financial support from
their parents/relatives during their studies
13%
of all students claim BAföG funding
4%
of all students are awarded scholarships
