Universities - Student Works Raise Prices in Lower Saxony
Students in Niedersachsen have to adjust to rising costs at the student services. Despite more money from Lower Saxony, previous prices could not be maintained, as stated by the Studentenwerk Göttingen. Prices will therefore increase in student dormitories and canteens.
"Many students have existential concerns," stated the Studentenwerk Hannover. The problem is not new but seems to have worsened, it was mentioned. More than one third of students have to make do with an income of less than 800 Euro per month. A social increase, which was implemented before the Russian invasion in Ukraine in early 2022 and the resulting cost increases, showed this.
Additional money from the state is not enough
For student services in Niedersachsen, it is becoming increasingly difficult to permanently financially relieve students. The institutions therefore require more financial support. The five student services in Niedersachsen will receive an additional 18.0 million euros annually from 2024 to 2027 according to a new agreement with the Ministry of Science.
However, this does not come close to covering the increased costs for personnel, energy or food, as stated from Göttingen. The Studentenwerk Niedersachsen calculates that around 143,000 euros will come from the additional support each year - with a simultaneous increase in personnel costs of approximately 968,000 euros.
Various tasks for student services
For years, the state of Lower Saxony has only covered less than ten percent of the revenues, said the managing director of the Studentenwerk Ostniedersachsen, Sören Nimz. Cheap housing and canteen food, psychological counseling or childcare require more. "Above all, of course, for the benefit of the students and in the interest of equal opportunities." In the end, low semester contribution fees are an essential argument for highly qualified minds for locations.
In Göttingen, student meals will cost 30 cents more per meal from October 1st. Rents in student dormitories there will increase by 16.60 to 41.70 euros and the semester contribution for the winter semester by 20 euros.
The Niedersachsen menu is at risk
The Studentenwerk Ostniedersachsen, which is responsible for Braunschweig among other things, assumes that it will no longer be able to offer the Niedersachsen menu for 2.50 euros in the future. The monthly operational cost subsidy of 50 euros cannot also be paid anymore. The Studentenwerk Hannover, which received 5.3 million euros in emergency aid in 2023 and 2024, expressed similar sentiments. In general, canteen food will also remain affordable in the future.
Besides rising costs, emergency aid is also dwindling. According to the Studentenwerk Ostniedersachsen, the money received at the end of 2022 will last until the end of the year. Students were therefore supported to cushion financial burdens due to the energy crisis and inflation. Decreasing student numbers in the area of the Studentenwerk Ostniedersachsen and upcoming investments for renovations increase the pressure on the budget there.
Reliefs in sight
However, there are reliefs in sight in public local and regional transport. The roughly 200,000 students in Niedersachsen and Bremen can receive a discounted Germany ticket for monthly 29.40 euros for the upcoming winter semester. In some federal states, the discounted ticket has already been introduced.
In addition, there is a student aid fund in Hannover for students with children and students with disabilities. This fund, in part financed by emergency aid, also supported approximately 1,000 students with a one-time payment from March 2023 to August 2023 for energy costs.
- Despite the additional funds from Lower Saxony, Studentenwerk Göttingen pointed out that the previous prices in student dormitories and canteens cannot be maintained due to rising costs.
- The managing director of the Studentenwerk Ostniedersachsen, Sören Nimz, mentioned that for years, the state of Lower Saxony has only covered less than ten percent of the revenues for tasks such as providing cheap housing, canteen food, psychological counseling, and childcare.
- In Göttingen, Studentenwerk Hannover expressed concerns about the future of the Niedersachsen menu, as the monthly operational cost subsidy of 50 euros will no longer be paid, potentially leading to an increase in canteen food prices.
- For students in Hannover, the student aid fund provided relief, offering a one-time payment from March 2023 to August 2023 for energy costs, partly funded by emergency aid.
- In an effort to support the financial burdens of students, the roughly 200,000 students in Niedersaxsen and Bremen can receive a discounted Germany ticket for the upcoming winter semester at a monthly price of 29.40 euros for public local and regional transport.
