Frequently asked Questions & Answers: Basic Fee

Have you re-registered for the upcoming semester? Then you’ve also transferred the 75 euros for the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern to your university. Thank you very much for your support! The proceeds from what is known as the students’ Basic Fee (or Studierendenwerk fee) are an important part of our funds, with which, year after year, the Studierendenwerk is able to fulfil its numerous statutory tasks, which allow our students to swiftly and successfully complete their studies.

What does the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern do with the money it receives from the Basic Fee?

The number of students is growing and is becoming more diverse: for example, the universities as well as their students are becoming more and more international and the rising number of university locations is demanding a lot from the services provided by the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern. In accordance with Art. 95 (3) s. 1 BayHSchG (Bavarian university regulations), the contributions are based on the expenditure that is necessary in order to carry out the tasks of the Studierendenwerke, and this expenditure is continuously increasing. This largely concerns, for instance in the Accommodation Department, the renovation, repair and new construction of halls of residence, the permanent adaptation of our advisory and counselling services to meet the students’ diverse needs, also regarding inclusive matters, the high quality of our childcare and the demand-oriented expansion of our gastronomic facilities in times of decreasing subsidies.

I have finished my studies but have already transferred the Basic Fee for next semester. How can I get it back if I’ve finished my studies?

You have finished your studies, but have already re-registered for the upcoming semester. However, you will no longer be studying in the coming semester.
If you would now like to get your Basic Fee back, please turn to your university, i.e. the office responsible for matriculation or the Office of the University Registrar. They will be able to tell you whether you need to do something and have your name taken off the university's register, whether you need to observe other deadlines, or whether the money will automatically be transferred back to your account.

Why did the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern have to raise the Basic Fee in the winter semester 2020/21?

Unfortunately, raising the Basic Fee as of the winter semester 2020/21 was absolutely necessary. As the Studierendenwerk abstained from raising the Basic Fee over the last couple of years, it is now all the more important to raise the amount so as to be able to cover the rising costs of the last few years. Apart from the constantly decreasing state subsidies, there are only few possibilities for the Studierendenwerke to generate the necessary revenue for covering its expenses.

Incidentally, the Board of Administrators approved the increase in February, before the coronavirus pandemic started. It was first discussed in the summer of 2019, the universities were consulted at the end of the year and the increase was communicated by bylaws in mid-February 2020.

Why does the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern have to raise the fee by as much as 13 euros?

Despite the fact that the Basic Fee was increased to 75 euros, the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern is still below the national average of just under 80 euros (summer semester 2020). More than 60% of all German Studierendenwerke charge significantly more than €75, and very often offer fewer services than the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern. The increase of 13 euros offers the Studierendenwerk a certain degree of planning security and will prevent the Basic Fee having to be raised every year.

Why do I have to pay the Basic Fee even though I don’t use any of the Studierendenwerk’s services?

The Basic Fee dates back to the concept of a mutually supportive community, from which the Studierendenwerke originally arose. The idea is that all students pay the same amount of money as an act of solidarity, regardless of whether or to what extent they use the Studierendenwerk’s services. So it may occur that a student must pay the entire Basic Fee despite completing their studies without ever going into a canteen, never receiving BAföG or living in a hall of residence and not having to use our childcare centres. Because there are lots of students who use the services provided by the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern, which help them during their studies. Basically, all students club together to create a social infrastructure that provides equal opportunities for all students.

When did this rule come into effect?

The Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern’s Board of Administrators agreed to the amendment of bylaws on 14.02.2020 by way of circulation. On 19.02.2020, the bylaws’ amendment was signed by the Chairperson of the Board of Administrators and went out to the universities on 20.02.2020. Upon their announcement, the bylaws came into effect as of the winter semester 2020/2021.