Tuition fees, living expenses and scholarships Tuition fees, living expenses and scholarships

The scholarship can be awarded to anyone who is enrolled in a degree course at HAW Hamburg during the funding period or who fulfils the admission requirements for the course of study and is about to commence their studies.

No student is legally entitled to receive the scholarship funding.

A student is not eligible to receive the scholarship if they are already receiving scholarship funding based on talent or achievement through one of the measures or institutions listed in section 1, paragraph 3 of the law on the creation of a federal scholarship programme (StipG) or from another domestic or foreign institution. This regulation does not apply if the total funding per semester for which the funding has been approved is less than a monthly average of €30 (section 4, paragraph 2, StipG).

Due to their particular circumstances, students from the Department of Public Management are not eligible to apply.

• The scholarship is a non-repayable grant which is paid in monthly installments of €300. The funding period is usually one year. An extension of the scholarship is possible if a new application is submitted. 
   
• The maximum funding length is based on the standard period of study for the respective degree course (section 6, paragraph 1, StipG). An application can be made to extend the funding length if the study period is prolonged due to complicating circumstances – for example, health issues, pregnancy, childcare responsibilities or a study-related stay abroad (section 7, paragraph 1, StipG). The scholarship is not paid out during a leave of absence. When studies are taken up again following a leave of absence, the funding period will be adjusted upon notification by the scholarship holder (section 7, paragraph 2, StipG).
   
• The scholarship cannot be made dependent on provision of a service to the private donor or on employment or a declaration of intent regarding future employment (section 5, paragraph 2 StipG). The scholarship does not establish an employment relationship with HAW Hamburg.

Each faculty establishes its own selection committee. The selection process is based on the following criteria:

Evidence of achievement

• Applications from first-year students (first and second semester) in undegraduate degree courses are ranked according to the grades awarded for the university entrance qualification.
   
• Applications from first-year students (first and second semester) in Master's degree courses are ranked according to the grades awarded for the degree entitling them to enrol in the Master's course.
   

• For applications from the third semester onwards, the ranking is based on the weighted arithmetic mean of the examination results to date as shown in the transcript of records or a certificate of grades.

• Subject-related qualifications and achievements – for example, particular successes, recognition and awards related to the individual's studies or to previous professional activity or vocational training.

An additional prerequisite for scholarship funding is proof of at least one of the following:

• Extracurricular activities such as volunteer work; involvement in societal, social, university or political causes; or participation in religious communities, associations or clubs
   

• Complicating circumstances that have impacted the individual's educational biography to date, including:

  • exceptional personal or family circumstances such as disability or chronic illness

  • pregnancy and periods of caring for children who live in the same household, especially as a single parent

  • caregiving for a spouse, parent/grandparent, or sibling

  • participation in the family business

  • part-time employment alongside studies

  • family background: the family of origin is considered non-academic if neither of the parents has a university degree

  • immigration background: a person is considered to have an immigration background if they were not born in the territory of the present-day Federal Republic of Germany and immigrated after 1950, or if they do not have German citizenship or have been naturalised. In addition, Germans are considered to have an immigration background if one parent fulfils at least one of the above conditions.

  • forced migration/flight background

These 'soft' factors must be adequately documented. It does not suffice to simply mention them in your application.

A point system is used for the overall assessment of applicants' individual potential:

• Achievements: 0–8 points                   
  (A maximum of 5 points can be obtained for grades, and 3 points for professional qualifications.) 

• Extracurricular engagement: 0–4 points

• Effort and barriers: 0–6 points
  (max. 6 points; this category takes into consideration the applicant's personal situation (see above), including childcare provision, caregiving for relatives, barriers/disabilities that make quick completion of studies or better grades more difficult, immigration background, part-time employment during studies, and a non-academic family of origin.)

An overall total of 18 points can be achieved for the three categories.

The ranking list according to which the scholarships are awarded is based on the total number of points. If students have the same rank based on the overall number of points, the selection committee will make a decision based on the suitability of the applicants.

Scholarships can only be awarded on the basis of complete applications that are submitted on time. Applications are made using an online form. This online form is available during the application period only.

Please note:
In order to apply, you must have at least two semesters within the standard period of study left to complete at the time the scholarship funding begins. This means that if you apply in winter semester 2018, you need to be enrolled at HAW Hamburg in summer semester 2019 and winter semester 2019/2020.

Extending the standard period of study:
If you are not able to complete your studies within the standard period of study due to complicating circumstances such as health-related issues, pregnancy, caring for a child, or a study-related stay abroad, you can apply for an extension. Please submit documentation to support each reason given for the extension request.

All applications must include: 

• CV
• Enrolment certificate (if you have already received it)
• Certificates and transcripts
• Other supporting documents where applicable

 Bachelor's students in the first and second semesters:

• Your higher education entrance qualification
• In the case of certificates from outside of Germany, a certified translation that is transferable to the German system and a conversion to the German grading system
• Where applicable, proof of a special qualification entitling the individual to study in the particular degree course at HAW Hamburg

Advanced Bachelor's students:

• Proof of academic achievements to date (myHAW printout listing the grade point average and the credits completed). Confirmation from the Faculty Service Office is not required.

Master's students in the first and second semesters:

• Certificate from first university degree
• If the Bachelor's certificate is not yet available when the application is submitted: myHAW printout with the grade point average and the credits earned in the most recently completed semester in accordance with the admissions and selection regulations for the Master's degree course
• Master's students in the first semester: proof of admission to HAW Hamburg

Advanced Master's students:

• Proof of academic achievements to date (myHAW printout with the grade point average and the credits completed)

 Documentation regarding the following can also be included to supplement your application:

• Professional qualifications and employer references
• Additional qualifications and knowledge
• Special awards and prizes
• Social and family engagement (e.g. in associations, clubs, religious communities, university politics, etc.)
• Complicating circumstances which have impacted your educational biography

Normal copies in German or English are sufficient; official certification is not necessary.

What you don't need to submit:

• A letter of application
• Letters of reference
• Photos

Please refrain from enquiring about the status of the selection process. We will inform you in writing about the outcome.

Students selected to receive scholarship funding will receive a notice of award. The notice includes:

•   the scholarship amount
•   the funding period
•   the statement that the extension of funding is dependent on a new application.

Students who are not awarded a scholarship will receive a letter informing them that their application has been unsuccessful.