Sina, Primary School Teacher, Hans Böckler Foundation
What special offers does your Förderwerk have that you can take advantage of?
The Hans Böckler Foundation offers a variety of opportunities for co-determination and networking. In addition to the local, grassroots scholarship groups, there are supraregional committees in which one can get involved. Another example of co-determination within this foundation is the active role played by scholarship holders in the selection of new scholarship holders through review meetings.
Of course, the Hans Böckler Foundation also offers a wide range of seminars. The foundation even organizes childcare during the seminars so that scholarship holders with children can also take part.
What tips would you give to prospective students and students who are interested in / would like to apply for a scholarship?
My first and most important tip: Have the courage to apply!
If you are interested in a scholarship, find out exactly about the individual foundations. What do the individual foundations stand for? What are their goals? What requirements do you have to fulfill? Especially when it comes to the requirements, there are more differences than you might think at first. Not all foundations, for example, focus on an above-average grade point average. In addition to the requirements, the foundations make sure that you fit in with what the foundation stands for.
You should really allow enough time for the application. You will be asked to submit a wide variety of documents. In most cases you will need a letter of recommendation from your teacher/lecturer/honorary.
If the Studienstiftung has been named after someone, briefly inform yourself about this person. For example, if you are applying to the Hans Böckler Foundation, you should be able to answer the question of who Hans Böckler was.
In addition to good to very good school/study performance, commitment can also be a prerequisite for a scholarship. What kind of commitment did you show?
I volunteered for two years as guardian of a minor unaccompanied refugee until he turned 18. In this capacity, I attended appointments where the young person needed a legal representative. We also carried out some recreational activities. Additionally, I volunteered on the board of my daughter's kindergarten for three years. Currently, I am the elected class guardian representative in my daughter's class.
What has changed in your life/study as a result of the scholarship?
Thanks to the financial support, I don't have to work a part-time job in addition to my studies. This gives me time and freedom to focus on my studies and my commitment. In addition, I have access to interesting events, the opportunity to network across disciplines at my university and get to know committed people.