Studying with a disability / chronic illness

BAföG

The Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, BAföG) provides some regulations for students with disabilities / chronic illnesses to compensate for disadvantages.
If the education is delayed due to a disability / chronic illness, funding can be granted beyond the maximum funding period. This additional support is paid in full as a grant, i.e. it does not have to be repaid.
Further disadvantage compensations concern

• Exceeding the age limit at the start of studies,
• a change of subject for an unavoidable reason
• an additional hardship allowance for loan repayment.

In any case, please seek individual advice from a member of staff at the Studentenwerk!
Further information on BAföG, student loans, etc. can be found on the website of the Studierendenwerk Gießen.

Scholarships

Check whether a scholarship might be an option for you. There are scholarships that specifically support students with illnesses/disabilities. You can find all information about scholarships here.

The Studierendenwerk Gießen runs 5 student halls of residence in Fulda. You can find all the information about the halls of residence (rooms, rent, accessibility, etc.) on the pages of the Studentenwerk Gießen under this link. Please contact the respective contact person for further information. If you are interested in a room or a flat in one of the student halls of residence, you can submit an application here.

The private hall of residence "The Cube" is located next to the Schlossgarten in the city centre and has a bus stop right outside the door. Barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible single flats are offered. Further information and contact details can be found under this link.

University Sports promotes the participation of all people in its sports, exercise and health programme. Courses may vary depending on the university sports programme. The Campus sports hall was built to be low barrier and is accessible.

> Here you can access the current university sports courses, obtain further information and register. You will also find contact details for the university sports staff, who will be happy to advise you in individual cases.

The University Sports facilities also include the quiet and exercise room in the Self-Study Centre (Building 44, Room 006), which can be used as a retreat from Monday to Saturday from 9:15 - 15:30. The room is equipped with seven loungers separated by folding partitions (some of which can be accessed by wheelchair) and thus offers the opportunity to regenerate and switch off in silence. The room serves as a mental health centre for all members of the university. In the afternoons, once the loungers have been removed, it becomes an exercise room where various relaxation and health courses take place.