Costs of Living and Studying
General Information
Studying in Germany is relatively expensive. Although the costs of living are high, these can vary regionally. The University of Siegen and the “Ausländerbehörde” require that international students have sufficient fund in order to cover the costs of living and studying during their stay in Siegen. Please note that with the beginning of October 2006 there will be tuition fees of 500 € per semester in Siegen as in all other universities in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Students who plan to study in Siegen should be prepared to spend 700 € per month. This amount is the minimum that covers rent, food, health insurance 
and a bit more than 100 € per month for the semester fee (1 000 € tuition fees per year plus approx. 400,- € per year for social fees and bus ticket arrangement).
Therefore we strongly recommend not to begin academic studies if the finances of the studies are not insured by parents, scholarships or other sources.
Students should keep in mind that they usually will not be able to support themselves by working in Siegen while attending the university. The work permit regulations allow a total of 90 days of work per year for international students if they are able to find work.
Students should also be aware that a relatively large sum of money is needed at the beginning of their stay because rental deposit, first month's rent, semester fees and other acquisitions must all be paid within a few days at the beginning of the first semester.
For your monthly payments we recommend you to open a bank account (free of costs for students up to 30 years old) for the duration of your stay.
Approximate monthly expenses:
Health Insurance: 60 €
Mensa Meals (low-cost warm meals at the University for approx. 3 €): 60 €
Fees:
1 000 € tuition fees per year plus actually approx. 400 € social fees per year (incl. “Semesterticket” for free public transportation)
Accommodation
Students admitted to the University of Siegen cannot automatically receive a room in a student residence/dormitory because there is just a small number of free rooms available at the beginning of each semester and a high demand for accommodation - not just of incoming international students. Therefore students have to make their own living arrangements. The monthly rent for a room or a small flat varies between 200 € (hardly to find) and 300 €. An amount of 250 € for the rent (including heating) should be expected.
Scholarships and Grants
The University of Siegen does not grant scholarships. However, there are some institutions and organizations which provide scholarships and grants. The central organization for academic exchange in Germany is the DAAD (“Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst”). Information about financial support granted by the DAAD is easily accessible through the DAAD scholarship database.
Furthermore there are a number of other foundations in Germany, often sponsored by political parties and churches.
Following, you will find a list of organizations that award grants and scholarships to students and scientists from abroad:
, grants research fellowships and research awards to highly qualified scholars of all nationalities, awards grants to catholic students from EU-countries onlyDeutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
, awards scholarships for dissertations with environmental aspectsEvangelisches Studienwerk e.V. Villigs
t, promotion of protestant studentsInWEnt
- Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung GmbH , awards research grants for postgraduatesHeinrich-Böll-Stiftung
, offers grants for students and postgraduates, awards grants for catholic students, especially devoted to the promotion of womenLLP/ERASMUS
, exchange programme supported by the European Community