Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference to conventional study grants is that your parents' income is not taken into account in the case of a "Selbsterhalter*innen" grant. In order to receive a "Selbsterhalter*innen" grant, however, in addition to the requirements for receiving "normal" study grants (favorable academic success, social need etc.), you must also be considered a "Selbsterhalter*in" within the meaning of the StudFG. The maximum amount is € 891 per month and € 923 per month for students over the age of 27. Surcharges for students with children and students with disabilities may be added.

A "Selbsterhalter*in" is someone who has supported themselves completely for at least 48 months before receiving "Selbsterhalter*innen" grant for the first time and can prove annual income of at least € 8,580 for this period. Periods of civilian and military service as well as activities under the Freiwilligengesetz (e.g. "social year") are considered periods of self-support regardless of the associated income. Also taken into account are those periods in which unemployment benefit ("Arbeitslosengeld"), childcare benefit ("Kinderbetreuungsgeld"), maternity leave benefit ("Karenzgeld"), "Notstandshilfe" or sickness benefit ("Krankengeld") was received, provided that at least € 8,580 per year was still earned.

From the winter semester 2024, at least € 11,000 per year must be proven for the "Selbsterhalt".

In principle, the course of study must have been started before the age of 33, even in the case of a "Selbsterhalter*innen" grant. This age limit may be increased by one year for each full year that you have supported yourself for more than four years, up to a maximum of five years. In addition, more favorable provisions for students with children, disabled students and master's programs may apply.

Department for social affairs

In this case, the "geringfügige" job is also subject to compulsory insurance. In the following year, the ÖGK will subsequently prescribe contributions for the months in question.

Department for social affairs

Recipients of grants according to the StudFG (e.g. "Studienbeihilfe", "Selbsterhalter*innen-Stipendium*, "Studienabschluss-Stipendium", "Studienunterstützung") are entitled to be exempted from the "ORF-Beitrag". Under certain conditions, receipt of foreign aid (e.g. Bafög) can also be presented.

You can also apply for a monthly subsidy towards telephone charges. However, the prerequisite for this is that the household net income does not exceed a certain limit. The monthly subsidy for the call costs can only be redeemed with selected providers in the telecom sector (fixed or mobile network).

The same office (OBS) can also provide an exemption from "Erneuerbaren Förderkosten" („EAG-Kosten-Befreiung“) in connection with the electricity and gas bill. This exemption is also an essential prerequisite for a "Netzkostenzuschuss" (valid until June 30, 2024).

The scholarship notice ("Stipendienbescheid", copy), the registration confirmation ("Meldebestätigung", copy) and evidence of the income of all people living in the household must be enclosed with the application for exemption from the ORF-Beitrag, for the award of a subsidy for telephone fees and for EAG-Kosten-Befreiung.

You can find further information about this and the corresponding application form on the ORF Beitrag Service (OBS) website.

Department for social affairs

In this case, the ÖGK will retrospectively prescribe the contributions for the months in question in the following year.

Department for social affairs

Recipients of a study grant who are studying at a university are generally not awarded a "Studienzuschuss". However, tuition fees can be waived at the respective university if study grants are or were received in the current or immediately preceding semester.

Department for social affairs

In most cases, compulsory insurance under the ASVG comes into question here. Registration and payment of contributions are usually made by the employer.

If the monthly income is above the "Geringfügigkeitsgrenze", but at least part of it comes from marginal employment ("geringfügiger Beschäftigung"), there is a high probability that the ÖGK will make an additional claim in the following year.

Department for social affairs

In addition to receiving study grants, you can earn up to € 15,000 (2024: 16.455 €) per year if you receive the grant for all 12 months of the respective year.

If you only receive the study grant for a few months of the year, a aliquot income limit of € 1,250 (2024: 1.371,25 €) per month applies for this period. For example, if you only receive study grants from September to December within a year, the income limit is from September 1 to December 31 thus € 5,000 (2024: 5.485 €). Your income before this period will not be taken into account.

If you exceed the income limit that applies to you, the study grant will be subsequently reduced by the amount by which your income exceeds the limit.

Department for social affairs

• Co-insurance with the parents: Is possible up to the 27^th birthday and free of charge.
• Co-insurance with the marriage/registered/life partner: 3.4% of the contribution basis (in the case of the self-employed 3.4% of the profit, otherwise the gross salary of the insured person) of the partner applies to the monthly contribution. No contribution is granted when raising children or caring for a significantly disabled person.
• Reduced self-insurance for students: You can take out insurance with the ÖGK. The monthly contribution is € 69.13 (2024).
• Voluntary social insurance for marginal employment ("geringfügige Beschäftigung"): In addition to health insurance, it also includes pension insurance and must also be taken out with the ÖGK  It currently costs € 73.29 per month (2024).
• Self-insurance: Must also be taken out with the ÖGK and costs € 495.58 per month (2024). This contribution can be reduced to up to € 123.90 per month (2024) upon request.

Department for social affairs

• Change of study, in which the entire pre-study periods can be included in the new field of study
• Change of study that are brought about by an unavoidable event through no fault of the student

If you change your study too late, you have the option of receiving family and/or study allowances again after a blocking period. To do this, you must complete as many semesters in the degree program you have now chosen as you have already completed in total in the previously operated degree. If examinations from your previous studies can be credited, this shortens the blocking period.

The summer semester 2020 is not counted when changing courses. This applies to both family and study allowances.

Department for social affairs

In the calendar year 2023, the monthly marginal income limit is € 500.91. It applies to employed activities ("unselbständige Tätigkeiten") and freelance service contracts ("freie Dienstverträge").

An annual limit of € 6,010.92 (2023) applies to income from work contracts ("Werkverträge").

Department for social affairs