» FAQ – social fund


The following explanations are no final guidelines about the rules and regulations for the semesterticket of the University of Potsdam and for the social fund of the students body (SemtixO). Should your question not be listed here or not be answered satisfactory, please read the SemtixO first. Should your question still not be answered then, please feel free to contact the Semesterticketberatung (semesterticket counseling).

Inhaltsverzeichnis

The semester fee including the semester ticket

 

Filing an application – who can file the application?

 

Filing an Application – When, how and to whom?

 

The application is filed…

 

Filing an application – submitting the documents

 

Application – Calculation

 

Application – Decision and transfer of money

I have additional questions, who do I contact?

 

The semester fee including the semester ticket


Can I pay the semester fee later or in rates?

    • No. The payment of the semester fee is necessary for a proper enrollment.

    However, there is a later deadline, during which a late fee must be paid.

» back to list of contents

 


Can I be exempted from the semester ticket beforehand?

    • No. Even in a case of exemption for social reasons the semester ticket
    would be rebated after the initial payment of the semester fee.

» back to list of contents

 

Filing an application – Who can file an application?


Am I eligible for filing an application?

    From SoSe 2024, students at the University of Potsdam enrolled in Bachelor and Master study programs are eligible.

see § 2 (1) SemtixO

    Whether support from the social fund is possible is decided by your financial situation. If your income barely covers your expenses and you constantly have a low budget, you should definitely apply.

see § 2 (2) SemtixO

» back to list of contents


I am a part-time student. Can I still file an application?
            Of course! Important isn’t whether you are a full- or part-time student, but rather the relation of income and financial need.

see § 2 (1) & (2) SemtixO &

» back to list of contents

 


I still live with my parents. Can I still file an application?

    • Of course. Your living situation isn’t the only factor. Your entire social situation is considered in the process. If you live with your parents, you do not pay rent (potentially), but you might still have expenses, that will be considered.

see § 2 (5) SemtixO

» back to list of contents


I receive BAföG/ALGII. Can I still file an application?

    • Of course. Often enough, the BAföG payment or other programmes may not be sufficient enough to completely sustain one’s livelihood. Thus, you should always file an application if BAföG is your only source of income or if you do not have any money left over at the end of the month, despite having other sources of income.

» back to list of contents

 

Filing an Application – When, how and to whom?


When can I file an application?

      • During the application period:
      • for the summer semester: 15.01.-28./29.02.
                 for the winter semester: 15.06.-31.07.

» back to list of contents

 


I’m new at the uni (first semester). When can I file an application?

    • For newly enrolled students the application period begins with the beginning of the semester and end four weeks later. In case of an enrollment during a semester, the period ends four weeks after paying the semester fee.

see § 7a (3) SemtixO

    • It doesn’t matter whether you are a first semester Bachelor or Master student. However it has to be your first semester at the University of Potsdam.

» back to list of contents

 


How do I file an application?

    Step 1: You have to fill out the online application form. At the end of the data input, a pdf file will be created. You should save the pdf file on your computer or a thumb drive, in order to send it to us by e-mail or (printed out) by letter.
    Step 2: Then you sign the application form – digitally or on the print-out.
    Step 3: You send us your application – by e-mail or letter. Ideally with all the documents necessary.
    • ! Please note: the application is only valid with a signature. It is not enough to fill out the form online only. You have to send us the signed documents!

 


Online-application for refund of the semester ticket

 

» back to list of contents

 


Where do I have to send the application?

    • With a signature by e-mail to:

semtix.sozial@astaup.de

The mailing address is:
AStA der Universität Potsdam
Semesterticketberatung Sozialfonds
Hermann Elflein Str. 10
14467 Potsdam

The semester ticket consulting office is located there, in the student’s cultural centre (KuZe), in the inner city of Potsdam. If you have sent the application to the AStA-offices at Neues Palais, it is not a problem. It will be forwarded.

» back to list of contents

 

The application is filed…


Has my application been received?

    • When your application has arrived and all formal requirements are met (form has been filled out online, the application is signed, the deadline was met), you will receive a confirmation by e-mail, about it reaching the AStA on time.

» back to list of contents

 


I filed an application, when will I get a response regarding the decision
whether or not my application is accepted?

    • After the session of the social fund commission, you will be informed about the decision. If the application was accepted, you will be informed by e-mail.

If your application was denied, you will get a rejection letter by mail.

» back to list of contents

 

Filing an application – submitting the documents


These are a lot of documents. Do I have to copy all of them and send them
by mail?

    • No. You can also send ALL documents by e-mail. pdf or jpg are good file formats. Phone Screenshots however are not suitable, since usually there is a lot of missing information.

Please keep an eye on the legibility of the documents, especially with
photographed documents. Otherwise, we have to ask back for legible versions
all the time.

» back to list of contents

 


Which documents do I have to submit?

    • A list of the necessary documents will be shown at the end of the online form, after filling it out. Please submit documents for all circumstances, that meet your situation.

Basic documents needed (only the ones that fall under your circumstance)

  • proof of payment of the semester fee
  • rental contract
  • proof of paid rent
  • if applicable, rent assistance proof (Wohngeldbescheid)
  • paid healthcare insurance fees
  • proof of income (wages, pensions, bank statements etc.) (Einkommensnachweise (Lohnabrechnungen, Rentenbescheide, Kontoauszüge, etc.)
  • if applicable, BAföG documents (BAföG-Bescheid)
  • if applicable ALG II-Bescheid (unemployement benefits documentation)
  • Alimony: every financial aid received for upkeep or any payment of alimony

 

  • if married with or without child or in marriage-like partnership with child additionally needed:
    – documentation of income oft the partner (wages, pensions, bank statements, unemployment benefits, child benefit (Kindergeld) etc.)
    – documentation of partners health and care insurance payments
    – Financial assets documentations of the partner
    – birth certificate of the child(ren)

see § 5 SemtixO

» back to list of contents

 


Period under consideration: For which period do you have to hand in documents?

    • It is assumed, that you must save money for the next semester, during the current semester. Thus, the current semester, in which you file the application, will be taken as the period under consideration for your application in the upcoming semester. The period under consideration for an application for the summer semester is the winter semester and vice versa.

see § 2 (2) SemtixO

» back to list of contents

 

Until when do the documents have to be submitted?

    • Ideally you submit your application with all necessary documents, that you have available up until that point. If at the end of the respective period under consideration (30.09. for winter application, 31.03. for summer applications) you have gathered all missing documents, please hand them in without request. An e-mail is sufficient. When the application is processed and it turns out that there are still documents missing, we will prompt you by e-mail to hand them in – with an adequate deadline.

see § 6 & § 7 (2) SemtixO &

» back to list of contents

 


What happens, if I do not submit the documents on time?

    • If you miss the individual deadline, your application can be denied because of lacking participation. The social fund committee has to decide that.

see § 6 (3) SemtixO

    • If you did not submit the documents on time because of valid reasons, e.g. illness, we will of course consider that and your application will be processed further.

» back to list of contents

 

Application – Calculation


Which needs are considered?

  • basic needs of the applicant
  • rental costs
  • health insurance costs
  • flat-rate for income-related costs
  • fees for public and private insurance (e.g. liability insurance)
  • pension plan contributions
  • possibly additional needs of the applicant (e.g. pregnancy, limited work permit, raising a child alone)

See § 2 (3) to (7) SemtixO

» back to list of contents

 

What is considered as income?

All earnings in form of money or monetary values are considered as income.

 

    This includes especially but not exclusively:
  • income from employment or self-employment
  • alimony
  • BAföG
  • unemployment benefits I and II
  • pension, orphan’s pension and half-orphan’s pension
  • financial assets

See § 2 (7) and (8) SemtixO

» back to list of contents

 


Which costs are not considered?

    Such costs are not considered:
  • costs for mobile phones
  • private internet access
  • costs of pet ownership (animal food, taxes, veterinary costs, etc.)
  • toys for children
  • costs for additional (non-university) education

» back to list of contents

 


I have a KfW student loan/private loan which I have to pay back later. Why is it considered income?

    Students are obligated to utilize all income they have to pay for the Semesterticket. If you have access to financial assets in the period under consideration to cover the costs they have to be taken into account.

See § 2 (7) SemtixO

» back to list of contents

 


I currently have to pay back my BAföG- / KfW-student loan. Is this considered as an expense?

    Yes, repayments in the period under consideration are considered an expense.

» back to list of contents

 


What is considered “alimony”?

    All financial support you receive regularly from your parents, your siblings, your grandparents, or other relatives or friends are considered as alimony. Singular payments are considered as alimony as well.

» back to list of contents

 


I do not have financial assets. How do I prove this?

    The best way is an account statement (Kontoauszug). The account statement provides relevant information about your financial assets. All accounts have to be stated, including Paypal-Accounts (if applicable). If you own additional financial assets or assets of monetary value, please submit additional proof for them.

See § 5 SemtixO

» back to list of contents

 

I submitted a rent subsidy statement (Wohngeldbescheid)/ ALG II-statement. Why do I have to submit additional documents?

    The calculation of Wohngeldbescheid/ALG II differs from our calculation. Therefore please submit all documents.

» back to list of contents

 

Decision of the Application and Reimbursement of the Semester Ticket


Who decides about my application?

    • The Social Fund Commission. It consists of 5 members with voting power:
    – two representatives from the AStA of the University of Potsdam
    – one representative from the Studentenwerk Potsdam
    – two representatives from the student body appointed by the student parliament of the University of Potsdam

The employee handling the applications presents them to the Social Fund Commission but does NOT have voting power.

See § 4 (2) and § 9 (1) & (2) SemtixO &

» back to list of contents

 


My application was granted but I did not yet receive the money. When will it be transferred?

    When the Social Funds Commission has granted the application, the AStA appointee for finances (Finanzreferat) makes the transfer.

They will transfer the money within 4 weeks. If you did not receive the Payment after 6 weeks please contact the AStA Finanzreferat at finanzer[at]astaup.de.
See § 10 (1) SemtixO

» back to list of contents

 


I have additional questions, who do I contact?

    The semester ticket consultation (Semesterticketberatung) during our office hours. We are located at the consultation office in the student’s culture centre (studentisches Kulturzentrum KuZe).

 

    • View the

Sprechzeiten (office hours)

  • Due to the current situation, the consultations are held exclusively through phone. You can also send an E-Mail: semtix.sozial[at]astaup.de

or write a letter to:

  • AStA der Universität Potsdam
    Semesterticketberatung Sozialfonds
    Hermann Elflein Str. 10
    14467 Potsdam

 


n/a