Göttingen students struggle with high semester fees and living costs!

Göttingen students struggle with high semester fees and living costs!

The wallets of students in Göttingen are under severe strain. With a semester fee of 436 euros, the university is one of the most expensive in Germany. This sum takes a toll on many students and creates a lot of pressure, especially in times when the cost of living is constantly rising. High rent and food prices have risen by around 30 percent since mid-2021, forcing many young people to get a part-time job to finance their studies. That reports HNA.

For example, Nils, 22 years old and a student of mathematics and sports to become a teacher, has almost 1,000 euros available per month. This sum consists of additional income and support from his parents. His fellow students Nina (24 years old, business informatics) and Tim (26 years old, business education) also earn around 1,000 euros a month. For many students, it is becoming normal to work multiple jobs at the same time in order to make ends meet. The cost of living in particular makes financial planning a challenge.

Life as a student in Göttingen

The rising semester fees bother many students, especially since around 400 euros of the fee is spent on the so-called Germany ticket alone. “It’s just too much,” says one affected student, which captures the general mood among the students. All four students discussed in the article have no objections to the university itself - they are satisfied with the education, but complain about the high costs that make it difficult for them to learn.

But studying is not only expensive, but also very costly overall. According to a podcast from Federal Employment Agency The average monthly cost of living is around 842 euros. For a bachelor's degree, the costs add up to over 31,000 euros, while master's degrees can even cost more than 52,000 euros. In addition to the high rents, costs for study materials and leisure activities also put pressure on students' budgets.

Diverse sources of financing

One bright spot is that many students have access to various sources of financing. In addition to financial support from parents, BAföG, scholarships and your own part-time jobs are also possible. BAföG is often seen as a real lifesaver because the repayment for part of the financial support is waived. Matthias Nowak from the Würzburg Student Union recommends submitting a BAföG application early. Tips can be found on the employment agency website.

The conclusion is clear: without family support and additional income, studying in Göttingen is hardly possible for many people. Students find themselves in a financial dilemma and demand fair solutions that allow them to receive a good education without excessive debt.