29 students at Aalen University of Applied Sciences are currently funded with a Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship program). The fact that this large number of scholarships can be awarded is mainly due to the generous support of mainly regional companies - there are currently 15 supporters, sponsors. Donors and scholarship holders came together at a joint club event at the institution of higher education.
"A noble task"
"It is one of the most noble tasks to support the younger generation - also so that they can further develop what was built up by previous generations," said Vice President Prof. Dr. Andreas Ladurner in his welcoming address and thanked the sponsoring companies on behalf of Aalen University of Applied Sciences. Representatives from Kessler + Co, Handtmann Service, Inneo Solutions, Bosch, Kreissparkasse Ostalb and the Manfred Theodora Schurr Foundation came to the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme) club event in explorhino's Blue Laboratory to exchange ideas with the scholarship students. A total of 15 companies make the Scholarships possible through their support.
"A great Christmas present"
The Deutschlandstipendium scholarships are awarded to students and first-year students whose personal background indicates outstanding assignment, credit, performance in Studies and appointments for professors; appointment funds. In addition to convincing marks (UK), grades (US), social commitment and special personal assignments, credit, performance are also taken into account. Those who meet these prerequisite(s) receive 150 euros a month from one of the sponsors. The federal government then adds another 150 euros on top, so that the scholarship holders receive a total of 300 euros. Take Florian Hohenstein, for example, who is funded by the Gips-Schüle Foundation. The 23-year-old first completed vocational training as an industrial mechanic and then went on to complete his university of applied sciences entrance qualification at the Gewerbliche Schule Schwäbisch Hall. Since the winter semester 2022/23, he has been studying General Mechanical Engineering at Aalen University of Applied Sciences. It was not a given for him that he would go to university. He is therefore all the more pleased about the financial support from the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme). "The news came the day before Christmas, which was a really great Christmas present," says the student with a mischievous grin. He recently moved to Aalen and the funding is helping with the rent. "It gives me the freedom that I don't have to work so much and can concentrate on my Studies."
"The Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme) made it possible"
Carolin Bieg also finds the financial planning security "very reassuring". "It's really great that the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme) exists. It's not something that can be taken for granted," says the young woman, who is in her 7th semester of Business Psychology at Aalen University of Applied Sciences. In January, she returned from Ireland, where she completed a semester abroad at the TU Dublin. "The Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme) made it possible. It was a great time," says the student, beaming all over her face. Bieg, who is involved on a voluntary basis in the field (of) sports acrobatics at TSV Hüttlingen 1892 e.V. in her free time, is funded by Kreissparkasse Ostalb. "We are pleased to maintain the lively and long-standing partnership that we have with the institution of higher education Aalen University of Applied Sciences, also in the form of the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship programme)," emphasizes Holger Kreuttner from Kreissparkasse Ostalb. It is always great to follow the development of the students.
"A great opportunity to get in touch with companies"
In addition to the financial support, another important aspect is the exchange between the sponsoring companies and the scholarship holders. "It's simply a great opportunity to come into contact with companies," says Fabienne Deeg, "I was very pleased to be funded by Bosch, because I can well imagine doing my practical semester in a school, practical semester there." But for now, a semester abroad is on the agenda: the business psychology student will be heading to Hawaii at the end of August. Thanks to the Deutschlandstipendium (national scholarship program), the flight has already been booked. And following the round of introductions and the presentation of the Diploma, certificate, degree certificate to the new scholarship holders, there was also a little trip. Not to Hawaii, but on an exciting journey of discovery through the Experiments Museum with explorhino Head /Director Dr. Jana Weßing.
