The social infrastructure (Cafeterias, Child Care Center, Student Accommodations, and Counseling Services) at the various educational institutions in Mannheim is partially financed through one part operational and service costs (rent, menu prices, etc.) and one part Studierendenwerk Fee. The Studierendenwerk Fee (sometimes called the semester fee) must be paid for upon enrollment and for the renewal of matriculation for the respective institution.
This principle of "Beitrag + Entgelt" (fee + costs) can be found at all higher education institutions in Germany.
The Studierendenwerk Fee in Mannheim consists of two components: The actual Studierendenwerk Fee and a contribution for the ÖPNV-Semesterticket which is paid directly to the transportation authority of the Rhein-Neckar (VRN).
Fee amount for the Spring/Summer Semester 2024
The Studierendenwerk Fee in Mannheim lies within the lower third of all the German Studierendenwerk despite the high number of services offered (number and high concentration of cafeterias and Cafés in the area, the Kinderhaus with its high reputation, psychological counseling center (PBS) with their various courses and counseling offers, social counseling, and financial support such as BAföG.)
The semester ticket contract expires at the end of the 2024 summer semester. Therefore, on December 14, 2023, the Administrative Board voted to change the amount of the contribution accordingly starting from HWS 2024/2025 or WS 2024/2025.
The Studierendenwerk Fee is often thrown into the same pot as or is mixed up with the administrations fees of the respective institution to the amount of EUR 70,00. To make things easier for the payment process, the Studierendenwerk Fee is put together with the administration costs and is to be paid together. The Studierendenwerk however does not receive a single cent of this.
The following typically applies: The fee cannot be remitted, discounted, or deferred. No right to partial reimbursement exists in the case of Exmatriculation or withdraw during the semester.
Reimbursement of the Studierendenwerk Fee is only allowed in accordance with the conditions in the Beitragsordnung:
Reimbursement is not possible in any other case not listed here.