Study with child
In Germany, the proportion of students with children is around six percent. Of course, balancing studies, childcare and often employment is a particular challenge. That's why it's especially important for you to be well informed about all the help available!
We offer you affordable family apartments in the dormitories near your university at many locations. In Kiel, Flensburg and Lübeck, you can have your children looked after in one of our daycare centers. We also welcome children in our dining halls. There are high chairs, play areas, nappy-changing facilities and free children's meals. You can find out more about this under the heading Children's meals.
By the way: Our counseling center in Mensa II in Kiel is officially a "breastfeeding-friendly place" of the city of Kiel.
Or feel free to take advantage of our student life counseling service to get support in your individual situation. The following questions are often asked:
- How can I reconcile studying and raising children?
- How will my student financing and housing situation change?
- What financial aid can I apply for?
- Where can I get what kind of help?
You can find a detailed overview of counseling services and contact points at your university location, about financial aid, legal principles and information about childcare in our compact brochure Studying with a Child.
Since you will likely have less time for your studies with a child, it is important to weigh whether you want to take a semester off due to pregnancy, maternity leave, childcare, or decide to stay enrolled throughout and stretch out your studies.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Time for family tasks | No BAföG and child supplement to BAföG |
| Semester does not count as a semester | Courses are often offered only once a year, so may have to wait an additional semester |
| BAföG: semester is not counted towards the maximum funding period | Working during the semester off: no exemption from compulsory health, nursing care and unemployment insurance |
| Student ID and semester ticket will continue to be issued | Parents' and children's allowances are deducted from ALG II and are not additionally available. |
| Examinations can be taken under certain circumstances - after consultation with the examination office (exception: care of relatives) Attention in case of SGB II-receipt: in this case, obtain permission from the office beforehand |
Your parents will only continue to receive child benefits for you if you continue to work on your education during your leave of absence. |
| Health insurance status remains the same | Attention: If you take a leave of absence due to pregnancy, your parents will receive child benefits for you. If you take a leave of absence for childcare, however, your parents will not receive child benefit for you! |
There are deadlines for your application for leave of absence. It is best to ask at your university.
The duration of the leave of absence for child-rearing reasons is to be assessed analogously to parental leave (for employees): The leave of absence can take place during pregnancy and cover another period of three years or six semesters after the birth.
The Student Secretariat of your university is responsible for applications and advice, for international students the International Office of the university. Please ask in advance which documents you have to present!
If you decide to stretch out your studies, it is best to contact the program coordinator/director and discuss together how your study plan can be adjusted.
In the following, you will find an overview of the financial assistance that you can generally apply for as a parent. The benefits are tied to different requirements and influence each other. Therefore, be sure to consult us!
First of all: Some benefits are calculated depending on your income and assets or your needs group and are only granted if you are needy, i.e. if you cannot finance your living costs otherwise.
Possible benefits for the pregnant person during pregnancy or after the birth of the child:
1. if you are on leave
- If applicable, benefits for living expenses and accommodation costs as well as necessary contributions to health and long-term care insurance (Jobcenter) or, if applicable, housing allowance for your household (housing allowance authority)
- If applicable, additional requirements for pregnancy (Jobcenter)
- If applicable, one-time benefit: initial equipment for pregnancy and birth (Jobcenter)
- If applicable, benefits from the Mother and Child Foundation (pregnancy counseling centers)
- If applicable, maternity benefit during maternity protection period (health insurance / Federal Social Security Office)
- If applicable, additional needs for single parents after birth (Jobcenter)
- Parental allowance (State Office for Social Services)
- If applicable, child benefit for you (Familienkasse)
2. if you are not on leave
- If applicable, BAföG (Office for the Promotion of Education) or continued parental support
- If you receive BAföG: monthly childcare allowance (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung)
- If applicable, additional requirements for pregnancy (Jobcenter)
- If applicable, one-time benefit: initial equipment for pregnancy and birth (Jobcenter)
- If applicable, benefits from the Mother and Child Foundation (pregnancy counseling centers)
- If applicable, maternity benefit during maternity protection period (health insurance / Federal Social Security Office)
- If applicable, additional needs for single parents after birth (Jobcenter)
- Parental allowance (State Office for Social Services)
- If applicable, housing allowance for your household or your own share of rent (housing allowance authority)
- Child benefit for you, if applicable (Familienkasse)
Possible benefits for the child
- Child benefit (Familienkasse)
- Maintenance or maintenance advance (Jugendamt Unterhaltsvorschusskasse)
- If applicable, child supplement (family benefits office)
- If applicable, social benefit (Jobcenter) or, if applicable, housing allowance for the household community
- If applicable, birth allowance from the Studentenwerk (Student Union)
A good overview of relevant topics and practical functions such as the "Elterngeldrechner" (parental allowance calculator), the "Kinderzuschlagsrechner" (child allowance calculator) and application forms can be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry.
The Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein grants student mothers and fathers, upon application after birth, an allowance of 130 euros towards the expenses for infant and toddler equipment. The allowance is intended as support in case of special need. This benefit is paid from the student's social contributions, so please check yourself before applying whether you are dependent on the Studentenwerk's birth allowance or have sufficient income, assets or reserves to make the necessary purchases.
The aid must be applied for within six months of the birth. In addition to the completed application, a copy of the birth certificate and the student transcript for the semester of birth must be attached. If a student is applying for aid for his/her child and is not named as the father on the birth certificate, proof of paternity must be submitted. You can obtain the birth aid application here and further information can also be obtained from the Social Counseling Service.
The Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein supports students with children with a free Studi-Kinderteller. Children of students up to the age of six receive a free children's meal from the main menu in our dining halls. For this purpose, the Studi-Kinderteller ID card must be presented at the serving counter and cashier's desk and the child's own meal must be paid for cashlessly with the Campus Card or a student ID card with Campus Card function.
We will send you the "Studi-Kinderteller" ID card by mail. It is valid in conjunction with a valid student ID up to the child's age of six. If you would like to use the child plate, please fill out our child plate application.
