Student Assistance
As the Central Student Advisory Service, we provide guidance to our students on all general study-related questions or issues. We support you, for example, with questions concerning study financing or changing your course of study. Even if you are looking for alternatives to traditional studies, we can help you!
Information on all our advisory topics can be found below. If needed, you can always schedule an individual advisory appointment with us through our Appointment booking tool.
We regularly offer workshops on various topics within our advisory areas. You can also find information about these offerings on our channel 'gut-studieren' in the university app gut-studieren university app (it's best to subscribe right away!) and in the News section.
An overview of all the support services for students at the Hochschule Aalen (including study guidance) as well as information on offerings related to physical and mental health can be found on gut-studieren.
Information for first-year students
If you just started your studies or recently enrolled we'd like to welcome you to Aalen University ! The Student Services team has compiled all the essential information for you, so you know what to expect and what you need to do. Simply visit us here.
For many students and prospective students, the question arises: How can I finance my studies? Can I take advantage of government funding? Do I have a chance at a scholarship? And how and where can I apply for it?
You can find initial information below. For further questions, we are happy to assist you with individual guidance! You can schedule an advisory appointment with us at any time through our Appointment booking tool.
Student Financing with BAföG
The government's student financing program, BAföG, is designed to help young people finance their education that corresponds to their abilities and inclinations. Students receive BAföG when their own financial means, as well as those of their parents or spouse/partner, are not sufficient. Student BAföG is usually granted as half grant (= gift) and half interest-free loan. The total maximum amount to be repaid from the loan is 10,010€.
If all the requirements of the Bundesausbildungsfördergesetz (BAföG) are met, students have a legal entitlement to receive BAföG payments. The amount of support depends on individual circumstances.
Online Tools for BAföG Requirements and Calculation
You can determine if you are eligible for BAföG, for example, using the website of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk. There, you can find all the necessary requirements, links to (non-binding) BAföG calculators, and information on the BAföG application.
Information Events by the BAföG Office
At least once per semester, staff from the BAföG office inform students of the university of Aalen about funding options and application procedures. We will notify you in advance by email to your student account about the events, which usually take place online.
Student Financing with Scholarships – not just for geniuses!
Contrary to common belief, scholarships are not only for highly gifted individuals. For many scholarship providers, volunteer work or advocating for certain social values is particularly important. Germany has a large scholarship landscape, including the 13 scholarship foundations, the Detuschlandstipendium, and over 2,000 smaller scholarship providers.
Given this variety, it's worthwhile to take a closer look at the respective offers and requirements! You can find an initial overview of various scholarship providers here. A database for finding suitable scholarship providers, for example, is offered by e-fellows.net.
Student Financing with Student Jobs
Many students work part-time while studying to earn some extra money and gain initial professional experience. You can find out the rules you need to consider on the website of Deutsches Studierendenwerk. Helpful information is also available on the website of Studierendenwerk Ulm. Offers for student jobs at the University of Aalen or local companies can be found among our career opportunities.
Student Financing with Student Loans
For more information on when and how to take out a student loan, visit the website of Deutsches Studierendenwerk. Helpful information is also available on the website of Studierendenwerk Ulm or, for example, on the website of Arbeiterkind.de.
Becoming a parent or caring for a child during your studies is a beautiful but not entirely easy challenge.
We are more than happy to provide individual guidance at the Central Student Advisory to help you and your child/children navigate through your studies. Simply use our Appointment booking tool or email us at studienberatung@hs-aalen.de. If you are pregnant, it is advisable to bring a copy of your maternity pass or a medical certificate of your pregnancy to the consultation so that we can fill out the official notification form for the Maternity Protection Act together.
MATERNITY PROTECTION ACT NOTIFICATION FORM (0.3 MB)
Below, you will find initial information on organizing your studies during pregnancy, parental leave, or during periods of childcare.
IMPORTANT: General information on
- Maternity Protection
- Parental Leave
- Financial Support (Parental Allowance, Child Benefit, BAföG, Housing Allowance, Scholarships, etc.)
- Childcare
- Changing and Nursing Facilities
can be found on the Equality page at family-friendly-university (subsections "Child and Studies," “Family-friendly offers for parents," and "Consulting and Support Services").
INFORMATION ON STUDY ORGANIZATION
Leave of Absence Semesters
Students can take leave during pregnancy, parental leave, or due to the care and upbringing of a small child. Leave of absence semesters are counted as university semesters, but not as specific subject semesters. During leave of absence semesters due to parental leave, you are allowed to attend lectures and take exams because these are not regular leave of absence semesters (cf. LHG §61). However, there is generally no BAföG entitlement during leave of absence semesters.
If you wish to request a leave of absence, you can contact the Studierendenservicecenter.
Important note: Keep in mind that during a leave of absence semester, you generally do not have a right to BAföG. Furthermore, if you continue studying during a leave of absence semester, you also do not have a right to government assistance for citizens (Bürgergeld) – more information can be found on the website of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk. Due to these regulations, it's worth considering together whether a leave of absence semester is a sensible solution in your case or what other (financial) options are available.
Exams During Maternity Leave or Parental Leave
General information on student maternity leave and parental leave can be found on the Equality page at family-friendly-university - child and studies.
Maternity protection periods interrupt any deadlines set by the study and examination regulations. In addition, specific special regulations apply. For example, exams can be taken during this time despite being on leave of absence. At the same time, you can withdraw from all exams during maternity protection. If you couldn't withdraw from your exams in a timely manner, they will not be graded, provided that maternity protection is proven.
Deadlines for parental leave must also be considered upon request. For this, it is necessary that the responsible examination board is informed of the planned duration of parental leave no later than four weeks before the start date of parental leave. This information must be provided in writing, and the necessary documents must be attached.
Important note: The processing period for the bachelor's thesis cannot be interrupted by parental leave.
Further details on the mentioned points can also be found in your respective study and examination regulations.
If you have any questions, we are here to help. Simply book an appointment through our Appointment booking tool or send us an email at studienberatung@hs-aalen.de.
Physical and mental impairments as well as chronic illnesses can make studying conditions challenging for students.
The Central Student Advisory Service can provide information on the study conditions at Hochschule Aalen before you start your studies. We also happy to provide you a tour of the university.
Prof. Dr. Markus Weber serves as a contact person for students with impairments for their specific information, counseling, and support needs.
Prof. Dr. Markus Weber
Program: User Experience
Room: G1 1.28b, Anton-Huber-Straße (Burren), Building 1
Helpful Information
You can find helpful tips and information for students with impairments on the website of Deutsches Studierendenwerk and studis online.
Scholarships
Some scholarship providers specialize in supporting students with impairments. Information can be found...
As of June 2023, HS Aalen itself awards five scholarships to support female students. The scholarships are for Bachelor's and Master's students who successfully study a STEM (MINT) subject under challenging conditions, such as due to illness and disability, caring for their own children, caring for dependent family members, work-related to their studies, family background, belonging to a marginalized group, a migration background, etc. More information can be found on Equality.
Accessible University:
Information on the accessibility of the city of Aalen can be found in the guide "Aalen for All," which you can download here.
Is your study not meeting your expectations? Are you questioning if university is the right path for you?
Starting anew can be tough. We at the Central Student Advisory Service are here to assist you in exploring alternatives to your current course of study.
If you prefer personalized advice, it's best to schedule an appointment directly through our Appointment booking tool . Alternatively, you can contact us via email at studienberatung@hs-aalen.de.
Helpful Tips
Here's a helpful information portal on the topic of dropping out of studies:
http://www.studienabbruch-und-dann.de/
For an initial overview of various options for reorientation, check out our flyer "Studienfachwechsel / Studienabbruch":
FLYER STUDIENFACHWECHSEL STUDIENABBRUCH (1.16 MB)
While an exam exclusion may not come as a complete surprise to most affected individuals, it is often still a shock.
Reasons for an exam exclusion can include:
•Credit Point Exclusion
•Subject Exclusion (failing the exam for the 2nd or 3rd time)
•Time Exclusion (basic studies + 2 semesters or total main studies + 3 semesters).
It's crucial to note that you typically have only one month to file an objection against an exclusion.
For more detailed information on the various exclusion reasons and your response options, please visit the website of the examination office.
We at the Central Student Advisory Service are here to guide you if you're wondering how to proceed next (application for approval to continue studying, hardship application, objection, course change, dropping out, etc.).
To discuss this, it's best to schedule a timely appointment through our Appointment booking tool or email us at studienberatung@hs-aalen.de.
Dear students,
with various support services, we aim to help you navigate through your studies as smoothly and balanced as possible.
If you are currently experiencing psychological distress, you can find important information on who can advise you and assist you on the website of gut-studieren.
If you wish to enhance your mental well-being and strengthen your mental resilience, take a look at the current offerings of the Student Health Management, also available on the website of gut-studieren.
For a general overview of all support services for students at HS Aalen, please refer to this page here
General Tips:
Information on "studying while mentally fit" is available for download, for example, on the website of our cooperation partner, Irrsinnig Menschlich e.V.
You can find a recommended workbook for effectively managing stress and challenges here.