First-generation students

What we offer

• Our information portal ‘Before your studies start’External link offers a wide range of services to get prospective students started and to help them plan and prepare for their studies.
• Our Central Student Advisory Service offers regular orientation workshops for prospective students with information and advice on how to choose and organize your degree programme.
• Video chats with University of Jena students who can share their experience and answer all your study-related questions.

Further information

• Abi>> Coaching services of the Federal Employment Agency External link: Support for children of non-academics
• ‘Study Compass’ brochure: 1st semester. Taking advantage of support services and overcoming hurdles. Tips for a successful start at university. (DE)External link

The University of Jena can advise and support students during the extended introductory phase of their first year at university. They can also provide assistance in dealing with study-related challenges.

The Student Services Organization of Thuringia (Studierndenwerk Thüringen) offers advice on how to cope with everyday university life as well as free legal and social counselling services. They also organize information events and courses to help students deal with exams, academic challenges, and everyday life at university and to strengthen their self-competence.—Learn more

STUDIENKOMPASS—Support programme for prospective students from non-academic families

This programme supports young people from non-academic families who would like to study by offering intensive study and career counseling services during the last two school years and the first year at university. Learn more External link

Arbeiterkind.de in Thuringia

Arbeiterkind.de is a non-profit limited company that promotes higher education access for non-academic children. Their services include:

• a comprehensive information portal   External link that answers all study-related questions;
• mentoring run by volunteers, most of whom are students or first-generation academics themselves;
• a social online network with pages on various topics and a discussion forum; 
• a group in Jena open to students, their parents, and young people who would like to studys. At regular group meetings, mentors answer questions and provide assistance and guidance. The group meets every first Tuesday of the month at 19:00 in the basement of Cafeteria Zur Rosen, Johannisstraße 13, 07743 Jena. To join their next meeting, send an e-mail to jena@arbeiterkind.de. Learn more External link about their work.

B-First Clausen Simon Foundation scholarship

This scholarship programme combines financial with personal support. It is open to first-generation academics from all disciplines who are enrolled in or have just started a bachelor’s or state examination programme (no longer than 2 semesters ago) at a German institution of higher education.

The scholarship includes:

• financial support: individual assessment based on personal living costs
• academic support: compulsory curriculum with workshops, seminars, and coaching sessions

Funding periods: 

• Bachelor’s degree programmes: Funding covers the regular period of study.
• State examination programmes: Funding is available for six semesters.

Information and advice

The Student Services Organization of Thuringia (Studierndenwerk Thüringen) offers advice on student financing and legal issues. They also offer general social counselling services. Learn moreExternal link

Basic funding

• Bafög—funding for pupils and students provided under the Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, BAföG) Learn more External link
• Deutschlandstipendium of Friedrich Schiller University Jena Learn more
• ‘mystipendium’ scholarship database Learn more External link

Financial emergencies and cases of hardship

• Repayable loans and funds are available for students facing financial emergencies and cases of hardship. For more information and help with your application, please contact the Student Services Organization of Thuringia (Studierndenwerk Thüringen). Learn more External link

Working while studying

• In order to combine their studies with gainful employment of 15 to 30 hours per week, students in various degree programmes can apply for part-time studies (‘studying at half speed’). Learn more
• Job portals for students in Jena:
  • Jobs for student, undergraduate, or graduate assistant are posted in the University’s job board. Learn more 
  • Jobs for working students are posted in the job portal of the University of Jena's Career Point. Learn more
  • Jobs for students in regional companies can be found here:
    
    • Studierendenwerk Thüringen's job market for students Learn moreExternal link
    • Indeed Learn moreExternal link

Reuter, J., Gamper, M., Möller, C., &  Blome, F. (Eds.) (2020). Vom Arbeiterkind zur Professur.External link Sozialer Aufstieg in der Wissenschaft.External link Autobiographische Notizen und soziobiographische AnalysenExternal link. Reihe Gesellschaft der Unterschiede, 54, transcript. 

Stamm, M. (2019). Arbeiterkinder und ihre Aufstiegsangst.External link Probleme und Chancen von jungen Menschen auf dem Weg nach oben. External link Barbara Budrich-Verlag. Leverkusen.

Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V. (2020). Hochschulbildungsreport 2020. External linkEssen.