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Federal aid for Austrian students in Austria
Federal Ministry of Science and Research of Austria
2317- Austria
- Austria
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Summary
| Duration: | Not specified |
| Purpose: |
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| Level: |
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| Quota: | Unlimited |
| Application deadline: | Anytime |
| Benefits summary: | Monthly allowance (€ 475-746) |
Last update: 18 October 2011
Description
The legal parameters covering student support, as stipulated in the Student Support Act of 1992 and enacted in numerable ordinances relating to this act, are a very special legal matter with three specifically remarkable aspects:
- The large group of students for whom a study grant, in addition to financial support payments, constitutes a considerable part of the financial resources required for their studies.
- The function of the Student Support Act within the framework of the Austrian legal system, which is being increasingly harmonized with other social policy legislation (family allowances, social insurance), and which thus reaches beyond the immediate scope of financial aid for students. This is why the Student Support Act assumes a key role among pertinent social policy legislation for students.
- The law on student support as a test case for public transfer payments -- a perspective which generates basic reflections on student aid.
The present paper on the legal parameters covering student support first addresses the federal programs which are in place for the financing of university studies. Subsequently, it outlines the specific regulations of the Student Support Act of 1992.
Eligibility
- Regular students at universities,
- Regular students at an Austrian university of the arts,
- Students at "Fachhochschulen" (universities of applied sciences),
- Applicants admitted to the university entrance qualification exam (preparatory course) for two semesters maximum,
- Regular students at educational institutions with public status or public Universities of Education,
- Students at Conservatories (in case of individual courses) and at comparable private schools with the exception of preparatory courses
- Under certain circumstances at private universities and "Fachhochschulen" (universities of applied sciences) and universities in South Tyrol (Bolzano province).
The students in question must be Austrian citizens in principle. Foreign citizens may only be treated equally in the case of close relation to Austria (at least 5 years subject to Austrian income tax via at least one parent), citizens of EEC-countries and citizens of a third country are generally treated equally, as far as it may be concluded from the treaty; and refugees under the Geneva Convention.
PreconditionsSocial Need
The social need is assessed on the basis of income and number of family members of the student, his/her parents and his/her spouse. The student´s income regarding the amount in cash is only relevant for periods of time during which the student receives study grants.
Income
Income in the sense of the Student Support Act would be the annual gross income minus taxfree income, promotional costs and extraordinary expenses as well as similar expenses of relevance in terms of tax law. A certain amount of tax-free income and depreciation will be added. The term "income" as stipulated in the Student Support Act is in accordance with the income tax law of 1988.
It is required to submit proof of any income according to the most recent tax assessment, income from gainful employment by means of a pay slip of the most recent calendar year and income from agricultural and forestry activities as determined by the most recent assessed taxable property value (if there is no income tax assessment).
Academic Advancement
During the first two semesters of studies, admission as a regular student will suffice as proof of academic advancement. For the subsequent semesters, regulations require students to submit proof of academic advancement in a given field of study (ECTS-points or credits for courses and exams).
In the calculation of the total time of study 30 ECTS-Points are the equivalent to one semester. However, the pre-determined timeframe for completing one´s study programme may not be exceeded by more than one semester ("semester of tolerance").
Completion of Studies
The student is not allowed to have completed another study programme or a comparable post-secondary education in Austria or abroad.
Age
The student must start his/her studies before completing his/her 30th birthday. Gainful employment, raising of children or disablement may increase the age limit for the commencement of a master program to a maximum of 35 years of age.
Generally students are allowed to work and be gainfully employed during their time of studies. If their annual income exceeds the amount of EUR 8.000, the exceeding amount will have to be paid back.
Change of Studies
The student may not change his/her field of studies more than two times and not later than after the second semester of former studies. (Reason: Only swift and serious studies will be subsidized). A delayed change of one´s study programme will result in non-eligibility for grants. It is possible, however, to be included in the programme of subsidies again after a required elapse of time and convincing academic advancement. The regulations of change of studies are also valid for the receipt of family allowance.
Insurance Cost Allowance
The insurance cost allowance is ex officio paid out regularly after the end of the semester by the study grant authority.
Duration
The time of eligibility for study grants generally includes the legally determined times of study courses per study programme, plus one semester of tolerance.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test. More information
Benefits
Monthly allowance:
- Generally, in the case of single students: EUR 475 (EUR 5700/year)
- In the case of students whose parents have passed away: EUR 679 (EUR 8148/year)
- In the case of married students: EUR 679 (EUR 8148/year)
- In the case of students who have supported themselves for four years before starting their studies ("self-supporters"): EUR 679 (EUR 8148/year)
- In the case of students who must live in the university town because the daily travelling time from their home town to the university site would be unreasonable: EUR 679 (EUR 8148/year)
- In the case of students with children (living with parents/living far away from parents): EUR 542/EUR746 (EUR 6504 or EUR 8952/year)
As regards severely disabled students they receive additional 160 Euro or 420 Euro per month depending on the degree of disability if they live with their parents.
Transport Cost Allowance:
Transport cost allowance is designed to partly compensate students eligible for study grants for the eliminated supportive measures according to the Equalization Fund for Family Allowances Act (free transportation for pupils and students, grants for transportation to school).
Insurance Cost Allowance:
Insurance cost allowance is granted to students receiving study grants who have the opportunity of self-insurance within the framework of health insurance, if there is no option for co-insurance with parents. In the case of this type of subsidized self-insurance, one part of the insurance costs is financed by the Federal Ministry of Science and Research on the basis of a contract with the Association of Social Insurance Carriers. Students eligible for study grants receive the other part as well via an insurance cost subsidy. It amounts to 19 EUR per month (twelve times per year).
Application information
The Study Grant Authority decides on study grants according to the "General Law on Administrative Procedures" (AVG) by means of a notice following an application or appeal. This procedure relies on data-processing techniques and a shortened procedure of assessment. Decisions are made on the basis of clearly identified certificates by authorities and statements by students and their parents. The required simplicity and swiftness of this procedure is determined by the shortened period of decision (3 months) -- and, thus, by the shortened period of appeal to a higher authority according to § 73 AVG.
The right of appeal against such a notice includes personal intervention, which will be decided on in the course of an assessment procedure by a senate of the Study Grant Authority (collegial body consisting of university professors, student representatives and officials of the Study Grant Authority, at a ratio of 1:2:1) by way of a notice. It is possible to obtain an intervention-related preliminary decision already from a case officer of the Study Grant Authority - similar to the preliminary decision on an appeal according to § 64a AVG. In this case, the above-mentioned predecision on an appeal is explicitly ruled out. If the application deadline was missed the rules regarding the restitutio in integrum according § 71 AVG are applicable.
This notice by the Senate regarding the intervention may be answered within the framework of the universities by an appeal to the Federal Ministry for Science and Research (for other educational institutions the Federal Ministry for Education, Art and Culture, the Municipal School Board and/or Provincial School Board, or the provincial governor are responsible).
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