JOINT PRESS RELEASE
- German Rectors' Conference (HRK)
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW)
- German Rectors' Conference (HRK), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) welcome interim aid from the federal government
- Loans from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) for German and foreign students experiencing financial difficulties due to coronavirus
- Grants worth €100 million for German and international students experiencing serious difficulties via student services organisations
The German Rectors' Conference (HRK), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) welcome the plans of the federal government to support students experiencing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic with loans. The three organisations illustrate this in a joint press release.
As announced today by Anja Karliczek, Federal Minister of Education and Research, German and foreign students will be eligible for interest-free loans of up to €650 a month from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). Moreover, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is providing student services organisations affiliated with the German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) with €100 million for their emergency fund as a non-repayable grant for students experiencing serious difficulties.
Prof Dr Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), said the following: “In so doing, the federal government is addressing an urgent issue for many students. We are thankful that those affected can now overcome the current crisis. Although we were hoping for such a solution for everyone, the emergency fund, which can be used to grant direct loan-free grants, is a very commendable measure. By providing interim assistance, the federal government has demonstrated that it is also willing to support the important and large group that is students.”
Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee, the President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): “It is very good and appropriate that students experiencing difficulties receive financial assistance. These measures are crucial to prevent international students in particular from facing a drop-out scenario and to preserve Germany’s excellent reputation as a study destination for foreign talent. We are especially pleased that the grant solution we suggested in mid-March forms part of the emergency aid measures.”
Prof Dr Rolf-Dieter Postlep, the President of the German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW): “First of all, we explicitly welcome the effective aid that the federal government is now providing to students experiencing financial difficulties. Now it is important that students experiencing financial difficulties through no fault of their own due to the coronavirus pandemic receive this aid. Together with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, we will now work very quickly to define the exact procedure for how the student services organisations will assist students experiencing serious difficulties.”
