Financial emergencies

As a rule, the University of Bern does not waive tuition fees. It also increases the tuition fee if the regular duration of studies is exceeded. However, in cases of hardship, the university administration may waive this tuition fee increase in whole or in part. To do so, check the «Checklist for Hardship Case Application for Waiver of Increased Tuition Fees»:

• University of Bern – Studies – Organisational matters – Tuition and semester fees.

If enrolled students are in acute financial straits due to the current coronavirus pandemic, they can apply to the Social Fund Foundation of the University of Bern. If no other sufficient financing options and entitlements exist, such as unemployment benefits, cantonal scholarships or parental support, short-term bridging assistance can be applied for within the framework of COVID-19 emergency aid:

• University of Bern – StudentFinancing – Social Fund Foundation

Before making a request to the Social Fund Foundation, it is advisable to talk to the managing director. His contact details can also be found on the website.

There is no general facility at the Bern University of Applied Sciences for students who suddenly find themselves in financial need. Each department is organised differently in these matters and offers different solutions for students. For individual degree programs, there are scholarship funds to provide financial support for students who do not receive a public scholarship. It is advisable to ask the respective director of studies in the specific case whether such an offer exists

• Bern University of Applied Sciences – Study at BFH – Fees + Funding
• Bern University of Applied Sciences – All degree programs
   

The PHBern has a fund for financial emergencies. It is a social fund with the purpose of supporting students who find themselves in a financial emergency. The contributions are one-off and do not have to be repaid. You can find more information about this and other support services here:

• PHBern – Financial support for studies (in German) 
• PHBern – Support programs for students (in German) 
  
  

People in economically disadvantaged circumstances are entitled to a reduction in health insurance premiums. The following criteria are decisive for the entitlement to premium reduction:

• income
• assets
  
• marital status
• number of children

If your parents take care of your health insurance, they can apply for a premium reduction on your behalf.

Premium reductions are regulated by the cantons. You should therefore contact the appropriate office in your canton of residence. Information on premium reductions from the Canton of Bern can be found here:

• Canton of Bern – Social security office – Topics – Reduction of health insurance premiums – Overview (in German or French)
   

Persons with children are generally entitled to family allowances. A distinction is made between child allowances for children up to the age of 16 and education allowances for young people up to the age of 25. The following persons are entitled to family allowances:

• all employees
• all self-employed persons
• persons who are not gainfully employed and have a modest income
• unemployed mothers who receive maternity benefits (without income limit).

The types and rates of family allowances vary from canton to canton, but amount to at least CHF 200 per child per month.
Detailed information on family allowances can be obtained from your cantonal compensation office (see below for the Canton of Bern) and also from the AHV/IV:

• Compensation Office of the Canton of Bern – Family Allowances (German or French) 
• AHV-IV – Family allowances (PDF) (in German) 
   

Specific savings tips for students can be found on the students.ch website:

• students.ch – Savings tips for students (in German) 

Caritas Zurich offers a general compilation of various savings tips:

• Caritas Zurich – Savings tips (in German)