Long-term study fees
In Thuringia, you may be required to pay long-term tuition fees if you study significantly longer than the standard duration of your degree program. The fee is 500 euros per semester and is charged in addition to the semester fees. This is based on the Thuringian Higher Education Fees and Charges Act.
When are long-term tuition fees charged?
Long-term study fees are charged if you exceed the standard duration of your degree program by more than four semesters (known as “tolerance semester”). This calculation is based not on the academic semesters of your current degree program, but on your total number of semesters spent at universities in Germany. Periods of study from previous degree programs or at other universities are also generally taken into account.
Example:
- Bachelor’s program with a standard period of study of 7 semesters:
7 semesters standard duration of study + 4 tolerance semester =11 tuition-free university semesters
Long-term study fees apply starting with the 12th university semester.
If you are pursuing an additional degree after already completing a degree program, e.g., another bachelor’s degree after completing a bachelor’s degree, this counts as a second degree program. Please note the regulations regarding long-term study fees for second degree programs.
For consecutive master’s programs, the standard duration of study for both the first completed program and the consecutive master’s program is taken into account.
Example:
- Consecutive Master’s program with a standard duration of 3 semesters:
7 semesters of standard duration for the bachelor’s program + 3 semesters of standard duration for the master’s program + 4 tolerance semester = 14 tuition-free semesters
Long-term study fees apply starting from the 15th semester.
Long-term study fees do not apply during periods of leave of absence or during periods in which students receive financial aid under the Federal Training Assistance Act. In this case, please submit a request to have your tuition fees suspended due to receiving BAföG benefits.
How do I know if I have to pay long-term student fees?
If your length of study indicates that you may be subject to long-term student fees, the university will notify you. You will have the opportunity to submit supporting documents or apply for an extension of the fee-free period or a suspension of the fee. You should do this immediately upon receiving the fee notice. It is therefore advisable to gather the necessary documents early and to observe the deadlines.
If you are required to pay long-term study fees, these must be paid along with the semester fee within the re-registration deadline. Unpaid fees may result in your inability to re-register for the next semester.
Can the tuition-free period be extended?
In certain circumstances, the period before long-term study fees are charged may be extended.
This may apply, for example, if you:
- are caring for your own children (up to age 14, for a maximum of twice the standard period of study),
- are caring for close relatives, or
- are actively involved in university committees.
A one-time change of major during your first undergraduate degree program before the end of the second semester may also result in an extension of your tuition-free period. Up to two semesters may be credited toward this.
The extension is not automatic. You must apply for the extension and provide evidence of the relevant reasons.
Are there any circumstances under which the long-term student fee can be suspended?
Under certain circumstances, the long-term student fee may be suspended upon request. This is particularly applicable if your studies have been extended due to:
- a disability,
- a chronic or serious illness, or
- the consequences of being a victim of a crime.
A suspension may also be possible in cases of exceptional financial hardship, provided you are nearing the end of your studies and paying the fee would constitute an unreasonable hardship.
For single students with their own household and statutory health and long-term care insurance, the maximum BAföG grant amount serves as a guideline. If your available funds are below this amount and you have no assets, you may be considered to be in financial hardship. If you still live with your parents or do not have statutory health and long-term care insurance, the corresponding lower BAföG rates apply. For households (students with children and/or a spouse), there are currently no fixed income limits. In such cases, financial hardship must be determined based on the specific circumstances of the individual case.
Unreasonable hardship may be deemed to exist if the standard guidelines do not apply and there are such serious social, family, financial, professional, or other reasons that prevent a student from paying long-term tuition fees.
Each application is reviewed individually. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The required documentation must be submitted in full and on time.
Note: For students who are facing financial hardship and are unable to obtain a fee waiver, the following options are available:
- Education loan: An application can be submitted to the Federal Office of Administration (www.bva.bund.de). Funding is guaranteed for a maximum of 2 years, but there is no legal entitlement to it.
- Assistance for Completing Studies under Section 15(3a) of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG): Applications are submitted to the Office for Educational Assistance. Assistance for completing studies is granted as an interest-free full loan under certain conditions and must be repaid. If the application is approved and assistance is granted, students may be exempted from the long-term study fee during this period upon request.
In what circumstances can I get a refund for long-term study fees?
You can receive a refund of your long-term study fees in the following cases:
- Your request for a waiver or deferral of the long-term study fee was granted, or your appeal against the decision was successful.
- You have already re-registered for the next semester but are withdrawing before the semester begins.
- You are withdrawing from your enrollment.
- If you submit or defend your thesis (final colloquium) during the first month of the new semester (October or April), you may be exempt from the long-term study fee for the new semester. To do so, you must apply for de-registration by October 31 or April 30. This does not happen automatically.
Please note: You must first pay the long-term study fee in full. You can then apply for a refund of the long-term study fee. To be eligible, you must submit the application by April 30 or October 31 of the current semester.