Becoming a parent or looking after a child while studying is a pleasant, if not entirely easy, challenge.

 

We at the Central Student Advisory Service will be happy to advise you individually so that you and your child/children can get through your Studies well. Simply use our appointment booking tool or email us at studienberatung@hs-aalen.de. If you are pregnant, it is best to bring a copy of your maternity pass or a doctor's certificate about your pregnancy to the consultation so that we can fill out the official registration form for the Maternity Protection Act together.

Below you will find initial information on the organization of your studies during pregnancy, parental leave or parental leave.

IMPORTANT: General Information on

  • maternity leave
  • parental leave
  • Financial funding (Elterngeld, family allowance, BAföG, housing benefit, scholarships, etc.)
  • Childcare
  • Changing and breastfeeding facilities

can be found on the Equal Opportunities page under the menu item “Family-friendly institution of higher education” (sub-items “Child and course of studies”, “Family-friendly offers for parents” and “Advisory services, guidance, advice and support”).

INFORMATION ON THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUR STUDIES

Semester on leave

Students can take leave of absence during pregnancy, parental leave or to care for and raise a small child. Semesters on leave are only counted as Semesters (all of all study programs), not as academic semesters. The following applies to semesters on leave during parental leave: as these are not regular semesters on leave (see LHG §61), you may attend lectures and take a test. However, there is generally none BAföG (German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG)) entitlement during semesters on leave.

If you would like to submit an application for holiday leave, you can contact the Student Service Center - they will be happy to help you.

Important note: Please remember that you are generally not entitled to BAföG (German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG)) during a semester of leave. If you continue to study during the semester of leave, you are also none entitled to Bürgergeld - you can find more information on this, for example, on the website of the Studierendenwerk. Due to the regulations mentioned above, it is worth considering together whether a Semester on leave is a sensible solution in your case, or what other (financing, funding) options are available.

Examinations during maternity leave or parental leave

General information on maternity leave and parental leave for students can be found on the Equal Opportunities page under “Family-friendly institution of higher education - child and course of studies”.

Maternity protection periods interrupt any deadlines according to the study and examination regulations. In addition, specific special regulations apply. For example, examinations can be written during this period despite being on leave. At the same time, you can withdraw from all examinations during maternity leave. If you were unable to withdraw from examinations promptly, on a timely basis, they will not be counted as long as proof of maternity leave is provided.

Deadlines for parental leave must also be taken into account on application, request. For this purpose, it is necessary to inform the responsible examinations board, examination committee of the planned time period of parental leave no later than four weeks before the date from which the parental leave is to begin. This Information must be provided in writing and the required documentation must be enclosed.

Important note: The completion deadline for the Bachelor's thesis cannot be interrupted by parental leave.

You can also find more information on the points mentioned in your respective study and examination regulations.

We will be happy to advise you if you have any questions. Simply book an appointment via our appointment booking tool or send us an email to studienberatung@hs-aalen.de.