Saving Money
“More than one in three students in Germany was at risk of poverty last year [2021].”
(Source: Tagesschau, accessed 04.09.2023)
We have collected information and tips for you that can help you with financial problems.
Financing your studies
The Studierendenwerk Stuttgart offers a social counselling service that also deals with student financing. So if you have any questions, we recommend that you ask them at a personal counselling session or at one of the anonymous chat counselling sessions that take place regularly. You can find more information on the Studierendenwerk website.
BAföG: BAföG is probably the most convenient way to finance your studies. The BAföG maximum rate has been €934 since the winter semester 2022/2023 (source: https://www.bafoeg-rechner.de/FAQ/bafoeg-hoechstsatz.php, accessed 04.09.2023). However, it depends on various aspects, for example, whether you live with your parents and whether you have family insurance. This means: If you receive BAföG, you do not automatically receive 934 €. The emphasis here is also on “if”, because in 2019 only about 11.4% of all students received BAföG at all (source: https://www.bafoeg-rechner.de/Hintergrund/art-2416-bafoeg-statistik-2019.php, accessed 04.09.2023). If you don’t receive BAföG because your parents are liable to pay maintenance, you theoretically have the option of suing your parents. You should think carefully about whether you want to do this, because such a lawsuit can destroy the possibly good relationship with your parents. You know your situation best here. For advice on this topic, you can also contact the Studierendenwerk.
Housing allowance: Depending on your circumstances and your studies, you may qualify for housing benefit. You can find more information about housing allowance on the website of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction. If you have any questions, you can contact the Studierendenwerk.
Child benefit: Even if you are already of age, you may be able to receive child benefit. You can find more information about this at the Federal Employment Agency. Important: One of your parents receives this money, so you will need to communicate with your parents.
Jobs: Many students work alongside their studies. You can find job postings at the university, for example in K2 on the glass wall next to the entrance on the ground floor. Depending on your degree programme, your student group (Fachgruppe) or institute may also advertise job vacancies via social media or a mailing list. There is also an official job portal for the University of Stuttgart, Stellenwerk. So-called student assistant jobs have the advantage that you do something at the university and usually learn or deepen something for your own studies. But other jobs can also have advantages, such as tips. So when looking for a job, pay attention to what is important to you. Since you are a full-time student, you should make sure (as far as your financial situation allows) that you still have enough time for your studies.
Scholarship: Another option for financing your studies is a scholarship. There are many different scholarships available, often depending on your voluntary work, political activity or subject area, so you have to see for yourself which one you qualify for. You can find more information on this university website.
Saving money
Food and groceries: Eating out is usually much more expensive than cooking for yourself. You can find a lot of “broken dishes” online, with which you can eat cheaply. Of course, as far as possible, you should make sure that you eat a balanced diet so that you stay healthy. If you cook larger portions and then eat them several times (meal prep), this is often cheaper and saves you time. It’s also worth regularly comparing the offers of different grocery shops. You can often find a bargain here! You can also get free food through food sharing. There are various groups for this and also Fairteiler. If you can’t afford to buy food at the grocery shop, you can also go to the food bank.
Books: If you have to buy books for your studies, it can be quite expensive. Before you buy a book, check whether it is already available in the libraries (university library or institute libraries, Württembergische Landesbibliothek, city library, etc.) or whether a library can fulfil your purchase request. You can also buy and sell used books via various university groups on social media. Sometimes there are also notices on the noticeboards at the university. If you are “only” interested in leisure literature, you can also visit one of the many bookcases in Stuttgart and see if you can find something. There are also charity shops in Stuttgart where you can buy used books at low prices.
Clothes: There are various ways to buy clothes for less, even apart from sales. You can buy second-hand clothes on various platforms and there are also various second-hand shops in Stuttgart that you can easily find online.
Free time: You don’t have much money, but you still want to do something with friends and maybe go out partying or to a bar? The bars on both campuses are usually cheaper than other bars in Stuttgart. Likewise, university parties are usually cheaper than a night out at a club. Some businesses offer reduced prices for students, so it’s worth checking beforehand to see where you might pay less. Don’t forget your student ID with the valid semester stamp! If you’re a nature lover, you can also discover many things in Stuttgart for free. Unfortunately, we can’t replace a whole gym, but if you want to work out for free, the outdoor fitness area on the Vaihingen campus is an option.