Hessian Student Services
The task of the Studierendenwerke is to provide economic, social, health, sporting and cultural support for students. There are five student services organisations in Hessen. They are public law institutions with legal capacity and are subject to the legal supervision of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture.
The Studierendenwerke are generally active in the following areas:
- Implementation of the Federal Training Assistance Act - BAföG
- Implementation of the Upgrading Training Assistance Act - AFBG ("Upgrading-BAföG")
- Operation of canteens and cafeterias
- Operation of halls of residence and accommodation services
- Operation of student residences (e.g. communication centres, reading rooms)
- Health services in various forms (e.g. accident insurance)
- Student job placement
- Legal advice and general social counselling
- Student financial counselling and
- childcare
You can also find information on current competitions, such as the Student Services Award for outstanding social commitment, on the Deutsches Studierendenwerk website.
The Studierendenwerk's business operations pursue exclusively and directly charitable purposes. They must be managed in such a way that the revenues cover the total costs without making a profit. The Studierendenwerke are financed by their own income, grants from the State of Hesse, student contributions due upon enrolment or re-registration and other donations.
The governing bodies of the Studierendenwerke are the Administrative Board and the Management Board. The Administrative Board is made up of the presidents of the universities, representatives of the professors, the students and the employees of the Studierendenwerk. The President of the respective university chairs the Administrative Board. With the exception of the presidents, the other members of the Administrative Board are appointed for two years.
Further information can be obtained directly from the local Studierendenwerk.