All about studying

There are a small number of so-called "handicapped accessible" places in the halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk OstNiedersachsen. These are primarily intended for wheelchair users. However, the dormitory administration endeavours to meet special requirements and individual needs. It may be possible to allocate accommodation more quickly.

• Living in Suderburg
• Living in Wolfsburg
• Accommodation in Wolfenbüttel
• Housing in Braunschweig

In Salzgitter, there is a privately run student hall of residence (Wohnbau Salzgitter GmbH) in Salzgitter-Gebhardshagen (Lustgarten 31/33), where three of the flats are wheelchair accessible. - In addition, Wohnbau GmbH has many wheelchair-accessible flats throughout the Salzgitter area at different conditions (depending on the facilities and location).

Canteens/cafeterias at the Ostfalia HaW:

Please let us know if the tables in the canteens and cafeterias in our buildings at all university locations are not wheelchair accessible. We will endeavour to remedy the situation quickly.

The canteens of the Studierendenwerk and other operators are canteen kitchens and it is generally not possible to customise the food to the needs of individuals. - Careful labelling of additives and allergens, for example, enables you to make an appropriate choice.

See e.g. Wolfenbüttel/Salzdahlumer Straße canteen (external link, opens in a new window)

The following also applies to students with health restrictions: As a rule, the costs of education and living expenses must be covered by the income or assets of dependants (parents, spouse, etc.) or the students themselves. If this is presumably not sufficient, it is advisable to apply for BAföG.

• Responsible for Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg, Salzgitter

• Responsibility Suderburg

As a rule, BAföG does not provide for additional needs for living costs due to illness/disability or study-related additional needs; these must be covered by applying for university assistance (study-related additional needs) at the responsible integration office (depending on place of residence) or pensions, basic security, transfer benefits (additional needs for living costs) at the responsible service providers.

You can obtain information on this from the social and student finance counselling (external link, opens in a new window) service.

There are a few regulations in the BAföG that explicitly refer to illness/disability (e.g. extension of the maximum funding period in the event of delays in the course of studies due to illness or disability) - please discuss these with your responsible case officer if necessary.

After exceeding the so-called study credit (standard period of study + six so-called grace semesters), long-term tuition fees are due in Lower Saxony. These can be waived in whole or in part upon application if the effects of a disability or serious illness are proven to extend the period of study.

The corresponding application must be submitted to the enrolment office and must be justified in detail. As a rule, an official medical certificate is required.

You can find the application form on the website of the Enrolment Office under "Download & Links".

Every campus of our university can be reached by public transport (see section Campus/Buildings - in progress - > Temporary: How to get there), even if the frequency of public transport may not be ideal or even greater distances have to be covered between the train and the university (Suderburg campus) or the 612 line stop and the university (Salzgitter campus).

Refund of semester ticket:
If you have a severely disabled pass that entitles you to use public transport, you can have your Deutschlandticket refunded on presentation of a certificate of enrolment, a copy of your severely disabled pass and a copy of the supplementary sheet at the AStA office (external link, opens in a new window).

Information can be found under the following link: https://asta.ostfalia.de/index.php/rueckerstattung-deutschland-ticket/ (external link, opens in a new window)

As the information provided by the cities of the Ostfalia study locations does not go very far in this respect and is not very helpful, we would like to refer you to the brochure "Barrier-free through Braunschweig" (external link, opens in a new window).

Spending a semester or academic year at a foreign university is often a highlight of a student's degree programme. A disability, chronic illness or health restriction does not have to stop you from taking this step. Although we have little experience with this topic so far, we are happy to make the necessary enquiries. Please feel free to contact the colleagues at the International Student Office (ISO) and me/us with this concern.

You can also find helpful information on this website (external link, opens in a new window).

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) also offers information on studying abroad:
https://www.daad.de/de/der-daad/mobilitaet-mit-behinderung/ (external link, opens in a new window)