Further information and offers
Exemption of radio and TV license fees
Since 2005 only beneficiaries of social service (unemployment pay II, social welfare), heavily disabled persons and students on BAFöG with an own household may be exempted from radio and TV license fees. Students from non-EU/ EWR countries are in fact excluded from the exemption.
Contact:
GEZ
50656 Köln
Application forms are available at the city administration or online:
www.gez.de
Family Pass of Baden-Württemberg
A Family Pass and its booklet of coupons (vouchers) are offered to families with three or more children, for single parents with one or more children and to families with a heavily disabled child. You get it for free at the citizen centers.
Heidelberg-Pass
Heidelberg offers its citizens with low income under certain conditions, with at least two children or as single parents the Heidelberg Pass. Similar to the Family Pass of Baden-Württemberg it offers reductions on visiting city facilities. The requirements of eligibility are listed on the application form on the homepage of Heidelberg city.
Bishop fund and aid fund of the outreach ministry
The counseling center of the social service of the catholic women offers financial aid (up to 1500 €) for pregnant women in emergency situations during pregnancy or within two years after childbirth out of the bishop fund of the Archdiocese Freiburg. Prompt appointments.
Bauamtsgasse 8, 69117 HD and Felix-Wankel-Str. 25, 69126 HD
Phone: 137086-13
E-Mail: s.eurich@skf-heidelberg.de / m.bronold@skf-heidelberg.de)
www.skf-heidelberg.de
The outreach ministry Heidelberg offers counselling for pregnant women, in cases of unwanted pregnancies and financial aid in emergency situations.
Karl-Ludwig-Str. 6, 69117 HD
Telefon: 5375-25
E-Mail
www.diakonie-heidelberg.de
Federal Foundation “Mother and Child”
Pregnant women may apply for financial aid at the Federal Foundation “Mother and Child”. There is no legal entitlement and the funding is income-related.
The support is paid as a non-recurrent allowance. The money is meant to be for maternity dresses, baby equipment and furniture or household items needed.
The application may only be made a part from the 14th week of pregnancy but not after childbirth. You need a maternity pass, an attestation of the rent and an attestation of your income (alimony). Responsible facilities are: Pro Familia, Diakonisches Werk, Caritasverband.
Important: Beneficiaries of social welfare are not entitled to this aid. As far as pregnancy or childbirth is concerned, they may claim funding at the social welfare service.
Pre-Final Loans of the Student Services Office
When there is financial shortage right before taking the final exams, in individual cases, the Student Services Office gives out an interest-free guaranteed loan. The amount of the loan is usually a maximum of six times the amount of the monthly Federal Financial Assistance payments (BAföG) and one percent of the loan is kept in as administration fee.
The loan will only be given out to students whose graduation and finalization of studies can be anticipated within six to nine month. Another prerequisite for this loan is a capable warrantor and of course, proof of enrollment at the University, respectively of having paid the contribution fee to the Student Services Office as student removed of the register or as student on leave of absence. The loan is interest-free; however delayed repayment leads to defaulted interest.
Alimony payment of the Youth Welfare Office
According to the law of child support, every minor child has the right to be supported, regardless of the marital status of his/her parents. The obligation to support lasts generally until the child finishes a professional education. If a child lives with just one parent, the other is bound to pay support. From majority on both parents are bound to pay according to their income. To claim the obligation to child support, paternity needs to be determined (bringing a suit). Maintenance of support is treated in a simplified procedure at the district court. For questions contact the Youth Welfare Office.
Youth Welfare Office,
Friedrich-Ebert-Platz 3,
69117 Heidelberg
Phone: 06221 58-38430 und 58-38431
Fax: 06221 58-48510
E-Mail
Good to know: Single parents can find advisory support at the Association of singles mothers and fathers (Verband alleinerziehender Mütter und Väter (VAMV) (list of addresses see appendix).
Official Assistance
The new law of official assistance (§§1712-1717 Civil Law Code, Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch BGB) makes no difference between legitimate or illegitimate children. Only a single parent can decide to apply for official assistance, informally and in writing at the Youth Welfare Office. The official assistance may be terminated by the person having the care and custody of the child anytime. The official assistance assumes two tasks, the determination of paternity and the assertion of the child’s maintenance claim.
Credit financing of studies
Credit institutions offering student loans nationwide
The KfW-Studienkredit offers funding options for students. For more information on the application procedure or on the repayment regulations see
www.kfw-foerderbank.de.
Your personal credit limit may be calculated by an accounting clerk of the BAFöG department of the Student Services Office (variable conditions, handling fee). They also inform you on alternative options. Or you may conclude your KfW- loan agreement through the Student Services Office (Department of study financing).
Bank institutes operating state-wide, regional or local (Sparkasse, Volksbank), offer student loans as well.
Federal Credit Programme
Since 2001 exists the Federal Credit Programme for funding an education. It’s a low-interest credit, accorded independently of BAföG by the Federal Administration Office.
Information:
Bundesverwaltungsamt
Phone: 0800 BAFOEG1 0800 2236341
Fax: 0228 99-3584850
E-Mail
www.bildungskredit.de
Advisory counselling in these matters are offered by the department of study funding of the Student Services Office.
Interest-bearing loans according to BAFöG § 17 Sect. 3
Students of universities, colleges, and academies have the possibility to get an interest-bearing loan:
- If an advanced education, complementing a course of studies is a legal prerequisite for a certain profession.
- If another education is necessary to accomplish a specific professional education.
- In case of prolonged periods of studies due to a change of subject (not the first change of subjects for important reasons).
- If help is needed to accomplish a degree.
