For some time now, students have been able to use student loans from the state development bank KfW to finance their studies. But at the beginning of October 2023, KfW will raise the interest rate significantly. Many see this as having dramatic consequences for students – including Katja Urbatsch. The co-founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Arbeiterkind.de explains in an interview with ntv.de why the financial burden is just one of many reasons that prevent people from financially weak families from studying.
ntv.de: What do you think about student loans?
Katja Urbatsch: We tend to advise against loans. For us, loans are always a last resort, just an emergency plan. Because that can be dangerous, especially when it comes to debt. We are now also seeing this with the KfW loan, which currently has enormous interest rates, which has dramatic consequences for students. The state would have to intervene. People are now simply left completely alone with it.
Actually, that’s what BAFÖG is for. Should a reform help in 2022?
BAFÖG is already 50 years old. It’s outdated. We were involved in the reforms. We are now being heard, but the reforms do not go far enough. Many people don’t understand the major problems students face when they wait until December for BAFÖG, even though the costs for housing and moving to the place of study arise in September. BAFÖG must be there when the costs arise. The amount of benefits no longer corresponds to the current study costs. The semester contributions are also not taken into account. Today, students need a laptop, a cell phone, a printer and of course the internet.
What other financing options are there?
There are various forms of financing, such as a reverse generation contract. A person pays a certain rate from their salary when they are at work. Scholarships are also an option. But here too, the social background should be taken more into account. It is important to me that those who really need support, especially people from financially weak families, receive it.
Was that your motivation to found Arbeiterkind back then?
In 2018, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier awarded Katja Urbatsch the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon for her commitment to Arbeiterkind.de.
(Photo: imago/Emmanuele Contini)
My brother and I were the first in our family to go to college. I immediately had a culture shock in the first few weeks of studying. I had the feeling that the others had a lot ahead of me. For example, that their parents supported them more, that it was natural for the others to study, that they had a different vocabulary, that they had done other, much more prestigious internships or stays abroad. I felt small and a little lost. And no one talked about the topic. That’s why it was important to me after my studies to put the topic on the agenda.
What do you mean by “putting the issue on the agenda”?
I wanted to volunteer at the University of Giessen, where I am doing my doctorate. The idea was to create a website where I could share my experiences with others and pass on information. Because I would have liked someone to tell me what it actually means to be the first in your family to study. A lot of people with similar experiences came forward who wanted to take part and get involved. Suddenly the commitment became a non-profit organization.
What exactly do you do at Arbeiterkind.de?
We are an ideal support program. Our large community includes thousands of volunteers at 80 local locations nationwide. These are people with different social backgrounds. Most come from financially weak families. But there are also some where parents can finance their studies. Our program includes information events at schools, but also workshops at universities or with prospective teachers to sensitize people in the system to social backgrounds. We ourselves have no financial means to award scholarships. We provide support on the subject of BAFÖG, help with applications and cooperate with the gifted funding organizations or with other scholarship providers. We draw attention to these scholarships and support applications.
Many scholarships, such as the program of the German Academic Exchange Service or the 13 gifted scholarship organizations funded by the Ministry of Education, are grade-dependent. Do you only get funding if you are good enough?
In 1971, the Federal Training Assistance Act came into force, after which BAföG was paid out for the first time.
(Foto: picture alliance / Panama Pictures)
I find “gifted” or “gifted education” a difficult term. I would like to replace it with student funding. We have been working with the funding agencies for a long time. It’s not just about performance, but a combination of grades and commitment. When making their selection, scholarship providers now look more at social background and general life achievements. For example, a student from our community with a two-six Abitur received a scholarship. It’s a myth that only “ones” get scholarships. What is more problematic is the voluntary commitment that scholarship providers demand. Taking on responsibility and volunteering is a luxury of the middle class. Many in our community have to work or already have other social obligations in the family. They can’t afford it at all.
In your opinion, what hurdles are there when applying for BAFÖG?
BAFÖG is far too complicated. You have to involve the parents. This can lead to difficulties because they often do not want to reveal their salary. Or generally have inhibitions about German administration and excessive demands on bureaucracy. Maybe you also have divorced parents, so communication may be difficult. When you apply for BAFÖG, you don’t know at all what you will get. That’s too much for many people. And then some people say, I’d rather go and work there.
What would you like to see from politics?
The biggest lever is student financing. We would still need a really big hit. With BAFÖG we have to start completely from scratch, get back to the drawing board, rethink the idea and design it in a contemporary way. But the courage isn’t there right now.
Rebecca Wegmann spoke to Katja Urbatsch
2024-01-28 15:26:13
#Outdated #study #financing #BAFÖG #start #completely #scratch
