Deutschlandstipendium celebrates anniversary

In 2011, the German government introduced the Deutschlandstipendium as a national scholarship program. Since then, around 40 students have been supported by the Deutschlandstipendium each year at the University of Kassel. The scholarship holders receive 300 euros a month: 150 euros from private sponsors and the other half from the federal government. "In principle, all students at our university can apply for a Deutschlandstipendium. Nationality, political or religious orientation do not play a role," explains Daniela Szyska, program manager of the Deutschlandstipendium at the University of Kassel. "When awarding scholarships, we take into account not only achievements but also the applicants' social commitment and life circumstances," says Szyska. A non-academic parental home, own children, illness, refugee or migration background - the scholarship is also intended to help overcome biographical hurdles. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to advance social commitment and one's own projects.

Scholarship offers opportunities

The current scholarship holders include Johanna Jani and Patrick Eversen. Jani is in her 3rd semester studying visual communication at the art academy. The Austrian has already completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Vienna. "However, I was never really happy with my choice of studies, so after a few years of working I decided to take a second degree at the Kunsthochschule Kassel," says the 33-year-old. In addition to her studies, she is also involved in an association that helps women with a migration background or refugee experience to obtain a school-leaving qualification in Germany. Due to the Corona pandemic, she lost almost all of her income from part-time jobs. "Without the Deutschlandstipendium, I would have had to abandon my studies," says Jani. She thanks her sponsor, the Volksbank Kassel Göttingen Foundation, for its support: "The Volksbank Kassel Göttingen Foundation is funding 10 scholarships at the University of Kassel in this funding year alone to help students who have experienced financial difficulties due to the pandemic." Patrick Eversen has been supported by the Uni-versitätsgesellschaft Kassel e.V. since the beginning of his studies. The 20-year-old comes from near Hamburg and is studying mathematics and chemistry to become a teacher at secondary schools. He is in the Kassel water sports club and does triathlon. "The 300 euros a month means financial independence from my parents for me, without giving up my passion for writing crime novels and my voluntary work," says Eversen. He used the lockdown creatively to write his second crime novel.

Funders are also mentors

At the annual ceremonial scholarship presentation, scholarship recipients and scholarship donors get to know each other for the first time. Many of them maintain close contact, often for many years. Some sponsors support the scholarship holders not only financially, but also as mentors. Others facilitate internships or work-study positions. "There have already been great experiences with Bickhardt Bau AG or Yatta Solutions GmbH, right up to job offers. This is then a win-win situation for both sides," reports Szyska. But the foundations are also an important and ongoing supporter of the Deutschlandstipendium. "Foundations such as the Rudolf and Ursula Lieberum Foundation, the Pfeiffer Foundation for Architecture at the University of Kassel or the Dr. Lisa Oehler Foundation have been sponsors from the very beginning and have been supporting our scholarship holders for many years," says Szyska. It is a special form of appreciation when former scholarship holders become sponsors themselves after a few years in their professional lives. "This form of recognition by our alumni shows us that we are on the right track. In this way, they are passing on the help and support they received to the next generation of scholarship holders," Szyska is pleased to say.

The University of Kassel accepts donations for the Deutschlandstipendium at any time. Interested individuals, companies, foundations or associations can contact daniela.szyska@uni-kassel.de. Students can apply at www.uni-kassel.de/go/deutschlandstipendium.