Baden-Württemberg is setting up a student emergency aid fund with one million euros for hardship cases - for students who have lost their part-time jobs due to the corona pandemic and are therefore in financial difficulties.
"We are providing students with money via a BW emergency aid fund to bridge the loss of part-time jobs and thus cushion emergencies with interest-free loans. Not everyone has parents who can simply absorb and compensate for lost income, especially since they too can be affected by pandemic-related restrictions. Dropping out of university for financial reasons must be prevented at all costs. We hope that our support will reach the students as quickly and easily as possible," said Science Minister Theresia Bauer speaking in Stuttgart on Tuesday (28th April).
As a result of government measures to curb the corona pandemic, public life has come to a standstill in many areas. In particular with the closure of restaurants and shops, many students have no possibility to earn money through student jobs in order to finance their studies and livelihood. Approximately two thirds of all students have had such additional income so far - quite a few have therefore got into considerable financial difficulties.
With the emergency aid fund, the state provides interest-free loans of up to 450 euros for the months of April and May - a total of up to 900 euros - for students in such an emergency situation if they can prove that their earnings have been lost since April. Applications are to be processed as quickly and easily as possible. The implementation will be carried out by the Studentenwerke Baden-Württemberg.
Studierendenwerke take over the processing
"The Studentenwerke are predestined for this important task: they have extensive expertise in advising on social issues and questions of student financing. They enjoy the trust of the students and already offer help for students in emergency situations regardless of the current situation. In addition, they have the human resources and professional expertise to be able to issue these loans to students. I am therefore very grateful to our eight student unions in the country that they immediately agreed to take over the handling of the loans. We must not waste any more time here," Bauer continued. The Minister had met with the Studentenwerke personally in a video conference.
Federal Government to make unspent BAföG funds available
The Minister will also continue to advocate to Federal Minister Karliczek that the federal government should finally commit itself with a support programme. She pointed out that in 2019 alone, 900 million euros of BAFöG funds were not spent in the federal budget. "When will the Federal Government finally realise its announced emergency fund?", Bauer said. "I am still convinced that a nationwide solution would be the best, because ultimately it is a question of expanding the BAföG idea in these emergency times. However, since we can neither make students wait so long nor do we want to, Baden-Württemberg has now presented I appeal to the federal government to follow suit very soon," said Bauer.
"With all these building blocks - the Baden-Württemberg emergency fund for students, a possible fund from unspent BAföG funds and the broad spectrum of social services provided by the student unions - we can provide reliable and uncomplicated support for students in this exceptional situation," said the Science Minister.
Further Information
The BW Emergency Aid Fund offers a possibility of interim financing for students who are unable to take advantage of the existing assistance and support options or who are unable to do so to a sufficient extent. Eligible to apply are enrolled students from the member universities of the Studentenwerke Baden-Württemberg who can prove that an emergency situation has arisen due to the loss of additional income opportunities and who are not receiving other adequate benefits, such as BAföG or scholarships.
Applications can be submitted to the responsible Studierendenwerk, which also decide on the applications.