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Are you a student facing financial hardship that threatens your ability to continue your studies? Or are you looking for advice and support with your finances?
Worries about money can quickly become a burden during your studies: rent, living expenses, semester fees, or unexpected expenses—many students are juggling these things on their own for the first time. This is exactly where our financial advice comes in: free, confidential, and independent.
- Advice on financial bottlenecks
- Tips on financing your studies & funding opportunities
- Budget planning & overview of your costs
And if things get really tight, there is even more support available:
- The Barbeihilfe (Cash assistance fund) provides assistance in cases of hardship through no fault of your own – with up to approx. 950 euros.
- The Freitisch (voucher) offers free cafeteria meals in acute emergencies – quickly and unbureaucratically.
Both are grants that do not have to be repaid. The Mainz Student Services Association works cooperatively with the counseling centers of the Mainz and Bingen universities and study communities.
Grants from the Studierendenwerk Mainz
Barbeihilfe (Cash assistance fund)
Barbeihilfe (Cash assistance fund)
Are you in financial distress and is this jeopardizing your ability to continue your studies?
Then you meet the requirements to receive a grant from the cash assistance fund.
To apply for cash assistance, you must first attend a personal consultation. You will also need proof that you are in financial distress (see What documents must be included with the application for cash assistance?).
As of 2025, you can be granted up to €950 in an emergency. A committee decides on the allocation of financial aid. Financial aid can usually only be claimed once per semester.
What documents must be included with the application for cash assistance?
What documents must be included with the application for cash assistance?
- Written justification
- Current certificate of enrollment – field of study and number of semesters must be clearly stated
- Report on academic progress or transcript of records
- Complete bank statements for the last three months
- Copy of identity card or passport
- Copy of rental agreement or registration confirmation
- Passport photo (if not visible on ID document)
- Marriage certificate and/or birth certificate of child(ren), if applicable
Freitische (Voucher)
Freitische (Voucher)
If you don't have enough money for food, we can help you with a so-called Freitisch (free meal). A Freitisch is a kind of voucher that can be used in all cafeterias and cafés run by the Studierendenwerk Mainz.
To apply for a Freitisch, you must first attend a personal consultation. You will need proof that you are a student and are in financial need (see What documents do I need to include with my application for a free meal voucher?).
As of 2025, free meal vouchers worth €100 will be loaded onto your app. You can then use these to eat in the cafeterias. A committee decides who is eligible for free meal vouchers.
What documents do I need to include with my application for a free meal voucher?
What documents do I need to include with my application for a free meal voucher?
- Current certificate of enrollment – field of study and number of semesters must be clearly stated
- Identity card or passport
- Complete bank statements (max. 3 days old, covering the last 1 month)
First consultation, then financial assistance - Make an appointment
JGU - Johannes Gutenberg University
JGU - Johannes Gutenberg University
Are you studying at JGU? Then here is your contact.
Contact person: Andrea Mayer
Studierendenwerk Mainz
Staudingerweg 21, 55128 Mainz, Germany
Room: Ground floor in the “tower”
Phone: +49 6131 392 29 05
Email: finanzhilfe@studierendenwerk-mainz.de
TH Bingen - University of Applied Sciences Bingen
TH Bingen - University of Applied Sciences Bingen
Are you studying at TH Bingen? Then here is your contact.
Contact person: Andrea Mayer, contact person for financial aid and grants in Bingen
Studierendenwerk Mainz office at TH Bingen
Building 5, Room: 105
Phone: +49 6131 392 29 05
finanzhilfe@studierendenwerk-mainz.de
Office hours: Wednesday (during lecture periods) 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Personal appointments are also possible in Mainz by arrangement.
University of Applied Sciences Mainz - Campus
University of Applied Sciences Mainz - Campus
Are you studying at Mainz University of Applied Sciences on campus? Then here is your contact.
Contact person: Oliver Gries
Lucy-Hillebrand-Str. 2
Room: A0.04, AStA office
Phone: +49 6131 628 82 10
Email: info@asta-hs-mainz.de
Office hours:
Monday: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
University of Applied Sciences Mainz - Holzstraße
University of Applied Sciences Mainz - Holzstraße
Are you studying at Mainz University of Applied Sciences on Holzstraße? Then here is your contact.
Contact: Oliver Gries
Holzstraße 36
Room: H 0.11, AStA office
Phone: +49 6131 628 82 20
Email: asta@hs-mainz.de
Office hours:
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
