Request for Guidance and Financial Support to Complete Unfinished Master's Degree

Dear Yara and Members of the community,

I am writing to seek your guidance and assistance in identifying potential funding sources for my study. I have an incomplete master's degree in Evaluation at Saarland University, Saarbrucken.

Unfortunately, my weak financial situation has prevented me from paying the tuition fees, leading to an interruption in my education. I was originally scheduled to graduate in September 2022, but due to these financial challenges, I was unable to continue. However, I am determined to resume my studies during the upcoming winter semester and complete my degree. I have successfully completed three semesters of my master's degree, and now I only need to write my thesis to fulfill the requirements for graduation.

To achieve this goal, I require financial assistance to cover the outstanding tuition fees. The total amount owed is approximately 3300 euros, which includes fees for the fourth semester and the unpaid fees from the third semester.

Last year, I applied for the DAAD scholarship, but unfortunately, my application was rejected as they do not support already started degree programs. Therefore, I am reaching out to you with the hope that you can provide guidance on alternative financial support options.

I kindly request your assistance in identifying potential funding sources or scholarships that can help me overcome these financial challenges. Your support would greatly contribute to my ability to resume my studies, complete my master's degree, and pursue my career aspirations.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am grateful for any support and guidance you can provide. I eagerly await your response. Thank you RH

8 Comments

Reply (8)

Yara_Community Manger

Updated:

Dear @Rizwan Khan , thank you for your important question. I am sure there are many students who have similar questions about financing their studies. As a student in Germany, you have various options to receive financial aid from the state. Have you heard about “BAföG” before? We have complied information about applying for “BAFöG”, which is the state funded financial aid program for students. You can access the information here: https://handbookgermany.de/en/bafoeg Most students who do not have enough financial income can receive financial aid. Whether you are eligible, also depends on the type of residence status you have. For example, if one is still in the asylum procedure and has an “Aufenthaltsgestattung”, BAföG cannot be granted. You can find out if you can receive BAföG on our info page: https://handbookgermany.de/en/bafoeg The application procedure can be quite long, if you need help with filling out the application you can reach out to the student union in Saarland. Here are the contacts, please choose your case worker according to your last name: https://www.stw-saarland.de/de/Finanzierung/BafoG/Ansprechpartner-2 On Handbook Germany, we have also complied a list for possible scholarships that you can look up, to see if you can receive additional funding: https://handbookgermany.de/en/student-finance I hope this information was useful, I am always happy to help if you have further questions. Best wishes

Rizwan Khan

Updated:

Dear Yara, Thank you for your response and providing the necessary information. I have followed your instructions and applied for BAföG. I am hoping to receive the funds, as it would greatly support me in completing my studies. Your assistance is much appreciated. Thanks RH

Yara_Community Manger

Updated:

Dear @Rizwan Khan , I hope that you are well. Were you able to receive some advice from your university? I also saw that you can book an appointment to receive advice on how to finance your studies. In hardship cases, they can also give out loans. You can book an appointment here: https://www.uni-saarland.de/studium/organisation/finanzierung.html (due to a technical problem the hotline is currently down, please check this site regularly) If you are an international student you can also call and make an appointment at the welcome center of your uni: https://www.uni-saarland.de/global/welcome-center/vorbereitung/finanzie… If you are no longer enrolled as a student that unfortunately, you can not apply for BAFöG. Please let me know if you need any further information. Best wishes

Rizwan Khan

Dear Yara, Thank you so much for your email and support. I truly appreciate it. I wanted to update you on my situation regarding my situation. I had previously reached out to the Welcome Center and other key individuals within the university, but unfortunately, they couldn't help me at that time because I didn't have a valid residence permit. However, I haven't given up hope, and I have come up with a new plan. Before I try contacting anyone else, I want to reach out to my professor once again. He's always been very kind and understanding, and I believe he might be able to assist me with this issue. He holds a lot of influence in our department, so if he supports my request, I might be able to receive a tuition fee exemption or other forms of support. I have drafted a letter to my professor, which I have attached to this email. I would really appreciate it if you could take a moment to read it and help me make it more persuasive. Your input is invaluable to me. Thank you once again for your help and support. It means a lot to me. I am hopeful that with your assistance and my professor's help, I can find a solution to my current challenges. Best regards Razwan

Yara_Community Manger

@Rizwan Khan thank you for your update. I am happy to check the letter. I will send you a private message on the platform. Could you please give me a bit more detail on your current residency situation. Are you still waiting for the BAMF to make a decision regarding your asylum procedure? I remember you previously asked what documents you should bring to the interview. Best wishes Yara

Rizwan Khan

@Yara_Community Manger Dear Yara, I have been given a refugee status by BAMF a month after my interview so as i am now a recognized refugee in Germany as per the section 3 subs. 1 of the Asylum act (AsylG).

Yara_Community Manger

Dear @Rizwan Khan , that's great congratulations! Sorry I must have misunderstood since you wrote the welcome center was not able to help you further because you do not have a valid residency. But this was the case in the past. Thank you for the update. The welcome center should be able to help you further, it could be a good idea to ask them for help again. You could do this and ask your professor for further advice. Best wishes

Yara_Community Manger

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