In light of the dramatic political situation in Iran, the Federal Ministry for Women, Science, and Research (BMFWF) and the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH) are sending a joint message of solidarity. The new SAFE Fund (Support for Academic Freedom and Education) has been established to support Iranian students in Austria.
There is no application deadline. Due to a large number of applications, processing times may be longer than usual. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a notification. Please complete the application form with all the relevant documents and find out which documents you need before submitting your application!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time at this email address: ta.ca.heo@dnufefas. Consultations are primarily conducted via email.
Guidelines
Here you can find the guidelines for a successful application.
Who can apply for the SAFE fund?
The following requirements must be met in order to apply:
- Full membership of the Austrian National Union of Students in accordance with § 1 (3) HSG 2014 (automatic upon timely payment of the ÖH contribution),
- Possession of Iranian citizenship or particular vulnerability due to the political, economic, or legal situation in connection with Iran,
- Need for financial assistance as defined by the guidelines,
- Proof of adequate academic achievement,
- Insufficient financial support from other sources.
Required documents
- official photo ID
- Study sheet for the current semester
- Collective transcript of grades and/or confirmation from the supervisor regarding the progress of the thesis
- Registration form
- Bank statements for the last three months showing the current balance of all accounts you hold
- monthly income and expenses
If you receive a study grant:
- study grant approval notice
- Notices regarding other financial support
If you have children
- specific costs regarding kindergarten, school, etc.
If you have been prevented from making progress in your studies:
- Confirmation of disability, pregnancy, caregiving responsibilities, etc.
What counts as expenses?
a) Actual costs incurred for housing
b) Study-related expenses, including non-refundable tuition fees
c) Costs for telephone, internet, radio and television licenses, and
home insurance
d) Childcare costs (excluding tuition fees for private schools)
e) maintenance payments for your own children who do not live in the same household
f) Health insurance costs
g) Necessary travel costs to and from the place of study
h) General living expenses (in particular food, clothing, medication)
i) Costs for study-related courses and language courses
What counts as income?
– Income from gainful employment, self-employed or employed work
– Income from renting, leasing, or capital assets
– Support payments from the federal government, states, municipalities, or other organizations
– Maintenance payments (alimony) and other regular payments from parents or relatives
What academic performance do I need to achieve?
(1) Adequate academic performance is deemed to have been achieved if, in the last four semesters of enrollment,
examination credits amounting to at least 16 ECTS credits have been earned.
Alternatively, at least 8 ECTS credits can be demonstrated in the last two semesters.
For students in their second semester, 4 ECTS credits from the previous semester are sufficient.
Students who have enrolled for the first time in the current semester must submit confirmation of enrollment and provide evidence that they are diligently pursuing their studies.
For students with caregiving responsibilities, pregnancy, and students with
disabilities, proof of at least half of the above-mentioned achievements
is sufficient.
In the case of a previous (uncompleted) degree program in the last semesters,
proof of academic achievement from this corresponding degree program can also be used as
evidence of academic achievement.
(2) Support from the fund may also be paid out if an applicant cannot meet the criteria set out in paragraph 1, but it is clear that the person has actively pursued a course of study or attended a preparatory course (Vorstudienlehrgang) in the past semester.
Wie läuft die Bearbeitung des Antrages ab?
(1) Applications are processed using automated systems. Consent to
data processing is a prerequisite for the granting of support.
(2) Decisions on applications are made by mutual agreement between the Social Policy Unit, the Chair, and the Economic Affairs Department of the ÖH Federal Representation and are communicated to the applicant in writing.
(3) Financial aid obtained through false, incomplete, or misleading information must be repaid.
(4) As a rule, only one grant of financial aid may be awarded per academic year.
(5) The maximum amount of financial aid is €800 per academic year. In particularly justified exceptional cases, financial aid of up to €1,200 may be awarded.
How much support is provided?
The granting and amount of financial aid depends on the available
budgetary resources of the hardship fund for Iranian students, as well as on the
extent of the individual’s financial hardship.
The maximum amount of financial aid is €800 per academic year. In particularly justified exceptional cases, financial aid of up to €1,200 may be awarded.