Advice & Information

The FAMteam of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam informs and advises university members on questions regarding the compatibility of studies, work and family.

Overview

Counselling services & contact points

We offer a wide range of counselling and support services for pregnant students and students with family responsibilities.

Counselling Services

Financing options for families

For students with family obligations, there are various ways to finance their studies. Due to the increased need, there are numerous special regulations. We will give you an initial overview.

Funding

Further Information & Downloads

We regularly compile further interesting and useful links and downloads on topics such as financing, organising studies, maternity leave and care.

General information

Counselling services of the FAMteam & other contact points

We advise students and employees of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. Information and statements made during counselling are not legally binding and do not claim to be complete. We treat all enquiries confidentially and discreetly. At your request, we can also act as intermediaries in solving problems.

Staff members who are entrusted with supporting students and employees in the context of pregnancy, maternity protection and compensation for disadvantages can now find important information on the intranet.

We inform and advise you on the following topics, among others

  • Pregnancy and studying with a child
  • Maternity leave during studies
  • Childcare
  • Individual study organisation and semester planning in the case of family responsibilities: if necessary, to compensate for disadvantages in studies, semester off, part-time study options
  • Semester abroad with a child
  • Financing studies and parental leave
  • Care and career or studies

You can also find information on topics such as semesters off, compensation for disadvantages in your studies and part-time study options on the website of the study service.

Other counselling centres

Family financing – Information for students with a child

Being or becoming a parent while studying – a financial challenge. In addition to the general financing options for students, there are also special solutions for families. We provide an overview.

Benefits according to SGB II during a semester off or part-time studies

If you apply for a semester off due to illness, pregnancy or bringing up a child, you are no longer entitled to BAföG. However, if a need for assistance is established, there is a claim to entitlement to assistance with living expenses according to SGB II - Citizen's Income.

Another reason for entitlement to citizen's allowance is part-time study. However, this is only to bridge the time until a job is found. The situation is different for part-time studies with compulsory attendance, as it can be more difficult to be gainfully employed here.

You are also entitled to an additional needs supplement:

  • Pregnant women after the twelfth week of pregnancy
  • Single parents with children

Financing studies for students with children

Parental allowance, child benefit, child supplement and maternity benefit

Government grants are complex. You can find a very good overview on the pages of the Studentenwerk Potsdam. The social counselling service also awards student child benefits. It's worth taking a look!

Financial aid for students with children

One time help

In the following situations, costs may be covered by local authorities:

  • Initial equipment of the flat
  • baby equipment
  • school trips lasting several days within the framework of school regulations

General information

Pregnancy, maternity protection and birth

Downloads