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Studying with children brings new facets to study and daily routine. Obtaining information at an early stage helps you to find a balance between the requirements of study and family, and to be aware of the possibilities for organising study as well as what support is available.
Good planning of studies helps to create balance between the course of study and family duties. Make sure you take advantage at an early stage of the information and advising services offered by the general advising service, the Student Office and the academic advising service of the respective degree programme. For any fundamental questions the Equal Opportunity Office and General Social Counselling services provided by Studierendenwerk Thüringen are also available to help.
It is helpful to:
· Find out exact information concerning opportunities of study organisation by reading the study regulations and examinations for your particular degree programme
· Take advantage of the advising services offered by the university
· Clarify questions concerning financing your studies
· Explore childcare possibilities
Leave of absence
Students can take a leave of absence from their studies if there are important reasons for doing so. The enrolment regulations stipulate that up to two semesters per degree programme are permissible. A leave of absence due to maternity leave or parental leave remains unaffected.
Note: During a semester of leave you are not entitled to BAföG (federal education and trainings assistance for students)
Find out about study organisation and examination matters via the advising services of the Student Office.
Part-time study
Part-time study provides an opportunity to combine studies and family commitments. At the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar students can enrol as part-time students on degree programmes which are suitable for this method of study. Part-time students only cover 50% of the semester volume which therefore extends the standard duration of their programme. Whether or not this model is possible in the respective degree programme depends on the corresponding examination regulations.
Note: During part-time study you are not entitled to BAföG (federal education and trainings assistance for students)
Find out more at the Campus.Office about part-time study opportunities and how to apply.
Semester abroad with Children
You do not have to miss out on a semester abroad if you have a child or children - not even due to financial reasons. Get the relevant information at an early stage in order to plan a semester abroad with children and take advantage of the university’s advising services concerning Erasmus funding, partner universities, country-specific costs as well as German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) opportunities for studies abroad with children.
The International Office can answer any questions concerning a semester abroad.
Maternity protection for students
Protection of expectant mothers and (unborn) children is regulated by law through the Mutterschutzgesetz(Maternity Protection Act) - abbreviated to ‘MuSchG’. As of 01 January 2018, students also receive special protection in accordance with the Mutterschutzgesetz during pregnancy, after childbirth and when breastfeeding. Students are included in accordance with the provisions which apply if the place, time and sequence of the education/training event are obligatory, or if within the scope of school or university-based education completion of an internship is obligatory (Section 1 paragraph 2 item 2 number 8 MuSchG).
What does this mean? – Protection and flexibility for students
The period of protection in accordance with the MuSchG starts six weeks before the expected due date and ends eight weeks after childbirth. During this period of protection students are fundamentally exempted from compulsory courses and examinations. However, students have the option - unlike employees - to forego maternity protection if they expressly wish to do so and provided that nothing obstructs the health-related protection of mother and child. During the maternity protection period students can sit examinations or other academic achievements but they must communicate their desire to do so in writing and in advance.
Who needs to be told? – Telling people about your pregnancy
In order for students to be able to exercise their rights in accordance with the Mutterschutzgesetz, and so that the university can take the necessary protection measures, students should inform the university about a pregnancy as soon as possible. The Student Office is the first point of contact for informing the university about a pregnancy.
If you have any questions or require more information, you can also contact the Student Office or the Equal Opportunity Office.
Further information on maternity protection
Elterngeld (parental allowance)
‘Elterngeld’ is a state benefit to which parents who are currently in some form of education/training e.g. studying at a university are also entitled, generally for a period of 12 months. Students who are not in employment before the birth of their child can receive a minimum monthly benefit. The number of hours per week spent on studying are not relevant in this connection. Students who are already in employment can determine the payment to which they are entitled with the Elterngeldrechner (parental allowance calculator). Studies do not need to be interrupted in order to receive parental allowance. In general international students are not entitled to a parental allowance as it does not apply if a residence permit has been issued for educational purposes or has a restriction of a maximum period.
Please get in touch with the ‘Elterngeldstelle’ (Amt für Familie und Soziales, Schwanseestraße 17, 99423 Weimar) for advice. Here you can get advice before the birth of your child and also obtain further information about applying for the parental allowance.
Kindergeld (children’s allowance)
Every child living in Germany is entitled to ‘Kindergeld’ (child allowance) from birth through to the end of their 18th year. The children’s allowance can be applied for at the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). Furthermore, there is also a ’Kinderzuschlag’ (child supplement) which, under certain conditions, is paid in addition to the children’s allowance for families with small income.
Maternity pay for students
During the protection period, in accordance with the MuSchG (Maternity Protection Act), mothers receive so-called ‘Mutterschaftsgeld’ (maternity pay) from their health insurance company to replace their regular income. Women who are in employment and are entitled to sick pay as part of their health insurance policy are fundamentally entitled to maternity pay. Students generally do not receive maternity pay. Certain conditions must be fulfilled in order to apply for maternity pay (employment - even if only a few hours per week - and direct membership of a statutory health insurance company). It is best to enquire directly at your health insurance company about whether you are entitled to maternity pay.
BAföG for students with children (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act for University Students)
Students in receipt of ‘BAföG’ (federal education and trainings assistance for university students) whose own children are under 10 years old and reside with them in their household receive an additional childcare allowance of €160.00 as a subsidy. If the study programme is delayed due to pregnancy or child-rearing, the maximum period of funding (based on the standard duration of programme) can also be extended. It is recommended to seek specialist advice for all questions concerning BAföG. The Studierendenwerk Thüringen offers comprehensive information and tips on BAföG.
Other transfer benefits
In general students are not entitled to benefits in accordance with SGB II (Second Book of the Code of Social Law), as they are essentially eligible for funding through the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG) (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act for University Students). Under certain conditions students can apply for statutory transfer benefits e.g. ALG II (unemployment benefit). This can occur in some circumstances such as when the education/training is put on hold and evidence of this can be provided - during a leave of absence or part-time study and if BAföG funding is not applicable. In these cases you can find out to what extent you are entitled to support within the scope of the SGB II. As the provisions of the SGB II are extremely comprehensive, please contact the Jobcenter for specific advice and, prior to this, enquire at the Allgemeine Sozialberatung (general social counselling services) provided by the Studierendenwerk Thüringen.
Foundations
The Bundesstiftung "Mutter und Kind – Schutz des ungeborenen Lebens" (Federal Foundation Mother and Child) was established to support pregnant women in need. Financial benefits are administered by one institution in each federal state, in Thuringia this is the "Thüringer Stiftung Hand in Hand". Support takes the form of financial assistance for pregnancy clothing, basic equipment for the baby, etc. Applications can be submitted to ProFamilia e.V., the responsible advisory service for Weimar.
Tokens for the dining halls (Studierendenwerk)
Students experiencing financial hardship can apply to the Studierendenwerk for tokens, which are provided as a subsidy for meals in the students' cafeterias. These students can receive up to 85 free meals per semester (for a maximum of two semesters in total.
Applications may be submitted to the general social counselling services provided by the Studierendenwerk Thüringen, Marienstraße 15a.
Information and contact
Free meals for children in the dining halls
Student parents can apply to the Studierendenwerk for a child’s pass for the university dining halls. This pass enables children up to and including the age of six to receive a free portion of food when another meal is ordered (student, staff, or guest). The pass can be applied for and issued directly at INFOtake (Marienstraße 15b).
Further support opportunities
Studierendenwerk Thüringen can provide information and advice concerning further support opportunities in emergency financial situations (including educational loans, hardship loans).