MONEY TALK during your time at university

Rooms in shared flats or student dorms, food and drink, clothes, books and course material, hobbies – studying costs money. Even if you are one of the lucky ones with financial support from your parents – being able to earn a bit of extra money will offer you more freedom. And there is a lot you can do.

According to the latest Student Social Survey, on average, students in Austria have access to 1,200 Euro per month. That sounds like a lot. But it has to cover a lot of bills, and there is usually not much left over. Additionally, it is worth remembering that this is an average amount; some students have to manage on significantly smaller budgets. On average it cost 1,000 Euro per month to study, eat and live.

PART-TIME JOBS PAY OFF
Many students at the University of Klagenfurt have jobs alongside their studies. This requires good time management and flexibility. But having a job doesn’t just earn you money, it’s also a bonus when you enter the professional world. Whether it’s ticket sales, experience in the hospitality industry, childcare, or working in a call centre – any practical experience is an asset, contributing to your personal development and helping you to progress in your career. After all, HR managers are always happy to see part-time jobs on your CV. Ideally, the job will have a connection to your degree programme and will add a fresh dose of practical experience to the occasionally dull studying sessions.

If you are still searching, you can get help from the university’s career service team. They offer support with application documents and interviews, organise networking events and workshops, and you can check out the latest job advertisements in the weekly job newsletter. Persuasive application documents and a good first impression at the job interview are just as important when looking for your perfect part-time job.
www.aau.at/en/alumni-career

SUPPORT FROM THE AUSTRIAN STUDENT UNION
The Austrian Student Union (ÖH) is the statutory body representing the students. A specific fee is collected each semester, which currently stands at 22.70 Euro. In return, you can benefit from a range of services and advice. The ÖH has set up a fund for social hardship cases, among other things, which provides financial support to students (offered without legal claim). This assistance consists of a one-off payment per calendar year. The requirements and general conditions for receiving support from the Social Fund are set out in the guidelines.
www.oeh.ac.at/sozialfonds

STATE SUBSIDIES AND GRANTS AS ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF FUNDS
HHave you checked out possible grants and subsidies yet? Investing a bit of time into research can definitely pay off. Family and student allowances are widely known. However, it’s useful to know that there are many more ways to increase one’s financial buffer. The welfare office at the ÖH is an excellent contact point in this regard. Contact them for information about your options for getting your university fees reimbursed, applying for housing assistance, or applying for a self-employment or degree-completion scholarship.

The scholarship programmes are listed here: www.aau.at/scholarships.

Moreover, www.grants.at provides a good overview of other types of support available.

DAY-TO-DAY SAVINGS MADE EASY
Use your student card to get the best rate at the University Sports Institute and stay fit at the same time. The Mensa at the University of Klagenfurt offers delicious meals at a low price. Plus, you can enjoy discounts at numerous leisure facilities (sports, museums, cinemas, theatres, etc.), at the municipal services and the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) and thus save money in your day-to-day life. Besides, you can now get favourable conditions from many companies (e.g. for technical devices) when you show your student ID card. In general, it’s worth comparing prices and doing some research. It’s easy to find the best price online and save money that way. You can get the latest news and information about campus events from the ÖH newsletter and the university’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter).

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KLAGENFURT

The University of Klagenfurt has established various scholarship programmes. Not only do they support you when it comes to financing your Master’s degree, they also put you in touch with Carinthian business owners and help you to gain a foothold in the working world at an early stage. If you are at the final stage of your Bachelor’s degree and you would like to gain work experience in connection with your future Master’s degree programme, our scholarship programmes can help!

DR. ERICH-CIESCIUTTI SCHOLARSHIP

• Bachelor’s students or applicants for a Bachelor’s degree whose parents do not hold an academic degree (“first generation students” or “first academics”);
• Bachelor’s students or applicants for a Bachelor’s degree who have spent some of their lives in residential child and youth care or foster care and are making or have made the transition from there to leading an independent life;
• Bachelor’s students or applicants for a Bachelor’s degree with physical disabilities.

www.aau.at/en/ciesciutti-scholarship

KLAGENFURT SCHOLARSHIP

The scholarship is aimed at Master’s students from the fields of technology, economics and culture. This programme rewards academic achievements and social commitment and links you with interesting employers from the region. Internship, project work, Master’s thesis, future job: it’s up to you! Secure one of our highly coveted scholarship places.
www.aau.at/klagenfurt-scholarship