Studierendenwerk Kassel awards 15 new Kassel scholarships

Julia Thonfeld, Deputy Managing Director of the Studierendenwerk, sends a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors. Without them, says Thonfeld, the Kassel Scholarship would not be possible: "You provide invaluable help for students with challenging biographies."

In addition to outstanding academic achievements and voluntary work, the requirements for a Kassel Scholarship are financial need and a refugee or migrant background. All scholarship holders also speak several languages - including Arabic, English, Turkish, French, Dari, Spanish, Vietnamese, Serbian, Tigrinya, Persian, Albanian, Farsi, Italian, sign language, Chinese or Latin. They study in the Departments of Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Political Science, Sociology, Architecture, German Studies, Fine Arts, History, Visual Communication, Psychology, Social Work or Environmental Engineering.

Pia Manigé Dolcke is studying political science and sociology. This is the second time she has been supported by the Kassel Scholarship and knows its value from her own experience: "For me, the Kassel Scholarship is a great help. It has enabled me to overcome financial difficulties and concentrate better on my studies," says Dolcke. She has also been able to take part in exciting company tours and make close friends with other scholarship holders. "I am very, very grateful for all of this," says Dolcke.

The Kassel Scholarship has been in existence since the winter semester 2023/2024; six scholarships were awarded at that time. The fact that almost three times as many scholarships could be awarded in 2025/26 is made possible by the supporting foundations and companies.

The Wintershall Dea Foundation for Democracy and Diversity and the Hübner und Kennedy gGmbH Foundation have been involved in the Kassel Scholarship since its inception. Hilde Weirich, Head of the Hübner und Kennedy gGmbH Foundation, emphasizes: "The Kassel Scholarship is not just a grant, but a targeted investment in talent and ideas. It supports young people who are committed to integration and social cohesion despite the many hurdles they face. Students who have overcome major challenges themselves are involved in voluntary work and give something back to society. Our society urgently needs these special personalities."

A new addition to the group of sponsors is Volkswagen AG, which sees the Kassel Scholarship as a role model for sustainable corporate and social responsibility and wants to make an important contribution to equal opportunities in higher education with its support.

The Malsfeld-based family business Dr. Schumacher GmbH also decided to support the Kassel Scholarship for the first time and has declared it a matter close to its heart. The idea of the scholarship is in line with the values and attitude of the owner family, the workforce and the company as a whole.

An independent jury of experts, in which the International Office of the University and the Studierendenwerk Kassel are represented, decides on the awarding of the scholarships.

The Kassel Scholarship is based on the successful Hamburg Scholarship and is to be continued in the long term. The aim is to support even more students in future and to attract additional companies to provide funding.

Further information on the scholarships:

www.studierendenwerk-kassel.de/kasselstipendium

www.stwhh.de/studienfinanzierung/stipendien/das-hamburg-stipendium

Contact Kassel Scholarship

Kassel Student Union

Julia Thonfeld & Annika Höhn

E-Mail: kassel-stipendium@studierendenwerk.uni-kassel.de

Phone: 0561 804 3009

University Square 1, 34127 Kassel