Here you can find the guidelines for a successful application.

These guidelines have not been approved in English and are therefore not legally binding or enforceable for applicants, but they are intended to provide an overview for English-speaking students in particular.

SAFE Fund – Support for Academic Freedom and Education

GUIDELINES FOR THE GRANTING OF SUPPORT BY THE AUSTRIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION

General requirements

§1

(1) The prerequisite for the granting of support from the hardship fund for Iranian students is that the student
– is a full member of the Austrian National Union of Students in accordance with § 1 (3) HSG 2014,
– is an Iranian citizen or is particularly affected by the political, economic or legal situation in Iran,
– is socially disadvantaged within the meaning of these guidelines
– can demonstrate adequate academic success, and
– does not receive sufficient financial support from any other source.

Employees of the Federal Representation of the Austrian National Union of Students are excluded from receiving support.

(2) There is no legal entitlement to support from the Austrian National Union of Students.

Social need

§2

(1) Social need within the meaning of these guidelines exists if the monthly necessary expenses exceed the monthly available income. Special burdens resulting from the situation in the country of origin, Iran (e.g., loss of family support, limited access to financial resources, sanctions, uncertainty of residence), must be taken into account in the assessment.

(2) Income is defined as all funds that flow into the household budget of the applicant and that of a partner living in the same household and the children, in particular:
– 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

The loss or inaccessibility of income (e.g., due to international sanctions, economic crises, or legal restrictions) must be taken into account appropriately in the assessment

(3) Eligible expenses include, in particular:

1. a) Actual housing costs
   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 own children who do not live in the same household
   f) costs for health insurance
   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

Other extraordinary expenses must be justified in writing in the application.

Academic success

§3

(1) Adequate academic success is deemed to have been achieved if at least 16 ECTS credits have been earned in the last four semesters of enrollment.

Alternatively, at least 8 ECTS credits must have been earned in the last two semesters.

For students in their second semester, 4 ECTS credits from the last 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 credits is sufficient.

In the case of a previous (uncompleted) degree program in the last semesters, proof of academic success from this corresponding degree program can also be used as evidence of academic success.

(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 their studies or attended a preparatory course in the past semester. 

Ansuchen

§4

(1) Applications for support from the hardship fund for Iranian students must be submitted using the application form available on the website of the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH-Bundesvertretung). The accuracy and completeness of the information provided must be declared under oath.

(2) The following documents must be enclosed with the application:

 – the completed application form, including the data protection declaration
– a copy of an official photo ID
– proof of income for all persons living in the household
– proof of any support payments received
– proof of maintenance payments
– if available: bank statements for the last three months for all accounts held in the applicant’s name
– Confirmation of continuation of studies, study record sheet, and proof of academic achievement
– Proof of disability, if applicable
– Proof of housing, insurance, and other relevant expenses

If certain documents cannot be provided for special reasons (in particular due to international circumstances), this must be explained in a comprehensible manner in the application.

(3) If support of more than €400 has already been received from the social fund or special fund of the ÖH Federal Representation in the same academic year, no support can be granted from the hardship fund. If the amount paid out is less than €400, only half of the maximum support amount can be allocated. 

Procedure

§5

(1) Applications are processed using automated systems. Consent to data processing is a prerequisite for the granting of support.

(2) The decision on an application is made by mutual agreement between the Social Affairs Department, the Chair, and the Economic Affairs Department of the ÖH Federal Representation and is communicated to the applicant in writing.

(3) Support obtained through false, incomplete, or misleading information must be repaid.

(2) As a rule, only one grant of support may be awarded per academic year.

(3) The maximum amount of support is €800 per academic year. In particularly justified exceptional cases, support of up to €1,200 may be granted.

mount of support

§6

(1) The granting and amount of support is based on the available budgetary resources of the hardship fund for Iranian students and the extent of the individual’s social hardship.

Entry into force

§7

(1) These guidelines shall enter into force on February 13, 2026.

(2) These guidelines shall cease to be in force as soon as the budgetary resources earmarked for the hardship fund have been exhausted or are repealed by a decision of the competent bodies of the Austrian National Union of Students.

Report

§8

(1) The Austrian National Union of Students undertakes to submit a report on the use of support to the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research by the end of the calendar year at the latest after the end of the academic year.

(2) The report shall contain information on the funds allocated and accounted for in the respective budget year, on the support commitments and rejections, including reasons, educational institution, field of study, and gender.

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.

• 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.

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

– 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

(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.

(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.

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.