Studying with a child
Studying with a child is challenging - but possible
The number of young people combining an academic education with family responsibilities is increasing. According to the German Student Union's social survey, almost eight percent of all students* have children. Balancing children and studies is certainly no easy task and requires a high degree of organizational skills and flexibility. But there is all kinds of support available from various sources. We give tips on how student mothers and fathers can find time for their child and the lecture hall - and how everything can be financed.
*Source: https://www.studierendenwerke.de/themen/hochschulpolitik/sozialerhebung
You can count on these support services:
Financing for student parents
Students with children are entitled to financial benefits such as child benefit, child supplement or parental allowance. There is also a wide range of other support benefits.
- For financing your studies, you can apply for a KfW student loan or BAföG. There is a special feature of BAföG: parents who receive BAföG receive a childcare allowance of 160 euros per month for each child under the age of 14 living in the household. Good to know: This amount does not have to be paid back.
- For student mothers and fathers, the following also applies: If you exceed the standard period of study because you had less time to study after the birth of your child, the grant can be extended for a reasonable period of time. However, it is particularly important to note that those who take a break for longer than three months lose their entitlement to the payments.
- Students are not normally entitled to citizen's allowance as they are covered by BAFöG or education funding. However, under certain conditions, it is possible to receive a one-off allowance for pregnancy and baby equipment. Regardless of your student status, you may be entitled to citizen's allowance for your child.
- Students without child(ren) are generally excluded from receiving housing benefit. However, student parents can apply for housing benefit for themselves and other family or household members who do not receive BAföG under certain conditions.
- Some student unions offer family-friendly apartments at affordable rents in their halls of residence. Ask locally whether there are any available offers.
- Another way to finance family and studies can be a scholarship. There are various databases online that you can use to search for suitable scholarships.
- At some universities, students and doctoral candidates can apply to have the costs of additional childcare or babysitting reimbursed by the university during examination and graduation phases.
- Students with little or no income can be exempted from childcare fees.
- And finally, some general student representations (ASten) also offer social loans that students can apply for. Some campuses have emergency funds that provide money for financial emergencies.
It is best to find out about the various options at your university and seek personal advice from the Student Union.
Where can I find help and advice?
Most universities in NRW have advice centers set up specifically for students with children. At these family and parent service offices, you can get answers to your questions about studying, financing and childcare. The offices often also find childcare providers or work with you to find individual solutions. As a student with a child, you should take advantage of this free advice as early as possible, for example to avoid long waiting times for a childcare place.
Other points of contact at universities are the social counseling centers of the Studenten- und Studierendenwerke and the Academic Counseling Centers.
Further information Links to read more
