18,000 Euro Cash Donation for the Germany Scholarship at the University of Kassel

Martin Schmitt, Chairman of the Board of Volksbank Kassel Göttingen eG until July 31, 2020, said goodbye to his retirement with a donation initiative. Schmitt dispensed with farewell gifts. Instead, he asked that the money earmarked for them be donated. "My wish is that the donation will benefit students who have been affected in their studies due to the current crisis situation, whether through the loss of a part-time job or even by having to take on childcare responsibilities as a result of the daycare and school closures."  

Martin Schmitt's appeal was successful and the generous donation sum was also topped up by the Volksbank Kassel Göttingen Foundation. A total of 36,000 euros was raised. Half of the money will be used to finance German scholarships at the universities of Kassel and Göttingen.  

The Deutschlandstipendium was introduced as a national scholarship program by the German government in 2011. Since then, around 28,000 students have been supported by the scholarship each year throughout Germany - and the trend is rising. The highlight of the Deutschlandstipendium is that the federal government doubles the amounts donated by private donors. Students supported by the Deutschlandstipendium thus receive 300 euros per month: 150 euros from the federal government and 150 euros from private sponsors, i.e. companies, foundations, associations and private individuals. Thus it is possible to support ten students of the University of Kassel with the Deutschlandstipendium for one year with the fundraising campaign initiated by Martin Schmitt. An additional 10 students from the University of Göttingen will be supported to the same extent.

The next application for a Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Kassel will be possible at the beginning of the winter semester in October. "Until then, every donation counts!" emphasizes University President Prof. Dr. Reiner Finkeldey. Because only with private participation can talented students at the University of Kassel be financially supported and relieved with the Deutschlandstipendium. 

Contact:

Daniela Szyska
Program Manager Deutschlandstipendium

Tel.: 0561 804-2251
E-mail: daniela.szyska[at]uni-kassel[dot]de