The basic contribution of a Studierendenwerk - also known as the “Studierendenwerk fee” - is a fee that all students at a university have to pay each semester. This fee is used to finance various services and offers provided by the Studierendenwerk for the benefit of students.
These include, for example:
- Refectories and cafeterias: Inexpensive meals, snacks and drinks on campus.
- Student housing: Affordable accommodation for students.
- Counseling services: Support with personal, social or financial problems.
- Cultural support: events, cultural participation, acquisition of soft skills.
The basic contribution ensures that Studierendenwerke can offer these important services that make students' everyday lives easier and better.
This basic contribution is charged by the universities and must be paid before enrolment or re-registration. At Studierendenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz, these fees account for around 20% of total income. They are an important part of financing services for students for which the Studierendenwerk receives little or no state funding (e.g. canteen subsidy, housing subsidies, tutorials).
The amount of the basic contribution is determined by the Governing Board of the Studierendenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz in a statute. You can find the current statutes for the basic contribution of the Studierendenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz here:
- Statute Basic contribution from Summer semester 2025 (in German)
- Statute Basic contribution from Winter semester 2023/2024 (in German)
In addition to the basic contribution, a contribution for the transportation of students on public transport, i.e. for the purchase of a semester ticket, is determined depending on the university location.
In certain exceptional cases, exemption from these solidarity contributions is possible on application if certain conditions are met. You can find out more under “Semester tickets”.
All students (including students on leave of absence, but not visiting students) are liable to pay the contribution. Students who are enrolled at several universities in Bavaria and for whom different Studierendenwerke are responsible are only liable to pay the contribution at the Studierendenwerk in whose area of responsibility they first enrolled.
Enrolment or re-registration can be refused by the university if proof of payment of the basic contribution and the semester ticket is not provided.
The re-registration deadlines can be found on the respective university websites.
