Information for Refugees

The University of Kassel does not charge tuition fees. However, a semester contribution must be paid, which currently costs 356,82 €. This fee includes the semester ticket. For students in difficult finacial situations, there is a possibility to get the semester ticket fee refunded. For more information (in German):

https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/en/international-service/coming-to-kassel/studying-in-kassel/during-studies/semester-fee-1.html

https://asta.studierende-kassel.de/service/mobilitaet/semesterticket/semesterticket-rueckerstattung/

Find a summary about the living expenses in Germany on the websites of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/studium/nach-der-bewerbung/studienfinanzierung

Under certain preconditions it is possible to obtain financial support by the Federal Law on Support for Education and Training – known as BAföG – for university studies. This is also an option for DSH and preparatory courses (Studienkolleg).

The highest amount of support under BAföG for students is 861€ per month (winter semester 20/21). Finacial support for pupils (in DSH and preparatory courses) is slightly lower. Refugees who have completed their asylum procedure are eligible for BAföG, as long as they apply properly and meet all requirements. If you have any questions, please contact our colleagues at the student services organisation (Studierendenwerk).

Applicants who are still in the asylum procedure can request the continued payment of asylum seekers benefits (Asylbewerberleistungen) at the funding angency (e.g. social office).

The Hessen State Ministry for Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts (HMWK) awards HessenFonds scholarships for highly qualified students, PhD candidates and researchers with a refugee background. HessenFonds funding is also available to highly qualified researchers (including PhD students) who are threatened by persecution in their home countries (researchers at risk).

Application is now open for a scholarship starting in October 2026. The funding period is one year.
Please hand in your complete documents by the internal deadline: July 27th. 2026. Applicants must not have been registered in Germany for more than four years at the time the beginning of funding and the permanent stay in Germany should not be more than five years. If the asylum application occurred before 01.10.2021 an application is not possible. In general, residence titles according to §25 1 or 2, §24 1 or §22 are eligible. Follow up applications are only possible in exceptional cases and must be justified separately (e.g. cases of hardship, special achievements during the funding year).

Amount of funding:

The HessenFonds scholarship provides the following financial funding, initially for two terms:

• Students: EUR 300 per month
• PhD candidates: EUR 1.200 per month
• Researcher: EUR 2.300 per month

Application procedure:

Students should send an email to Mrs. Berit Hupke with their complete application documents till the internal application deadline July 27th.2026: refugees.welcome[at]uni-kassel[dot]de. Doctoral candidates and researchers should send their complete application documents to the section of Internationalisation and International Cooperations: eint-funding[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

We recommend a personal consultation before applying. The University of Kassel checks the requirements and nominates especially qualified candidates to the ministry. It is not possible to apply to the ministry directly.

Announcement:

• Call for application for refugee students, PhDs and scientists
• Call for application for scientists and PhDs at risk

Application documents:

• Application form for refugee students
• Recommendation form for refugee students
• Application form for refugee Ph.Ds
• Application form for refugee scientists
• Application form for persecuted Ph.Ds
• Application form for persecuted researchers

With this scholarship offer, the DAAD is primarily targeting Iranian researchers who already have a research or doctoral position at German universities or non-university research institutions. PhD students, postdocs, and university teachers from all disciplines can apply for three to nine months of funding between May 2023 and January 2024. Applications can be submitted now via the DAAD online portal until February 28, 2023.

Further important information on the application requirements as well as on the application procedure can be found in the announcement of the "Bridging Scholarships Iran" or - in case of queries - under the e-mail address: iran-bridge-scholarships@daad.de.

The student services organisation Kassel offers advice on BAföG and other types of student financing, housing and social services. They also offer free psychological counselling and legal advice.

The student council AStA also offers various counselling services.