Guidelines of the Executive Board of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences for the Awarding of a Deutschlandstipendium Dated 14 July 2016 Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), acting on the basis of Section 16 (1) of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia [HG NRW] enacted on 31 October 2006 (GV.NRW. 2006, p. 474), last amended by Article 1 of the University Future Act on 16 September 2014 (GV.NRW. 2014, p. 547) in conjunction with the National Scholarship Programme Act [StipG] enacted on 21 July 2010 (BGBI 2010, p. 957), last amended by Article 2 of the First Amending Act for the National Scholarship Programme Act on 23 December 2014 (BGBI. I, p. 2475) and by the Implementation Regulations for the National Scholarship Programme Act [StipV] on 20 December 2010 (BGBI 2010, p. 2197), last amended by Article 2 of the Regulations on the Awarding Limit for the Scholarship Programme Act in the Year 2012 on 29 November 2011 (BGBI. I, s. 2450), has issued the following guidelines: Section 1 Purpose of the Deutschlandstipendium The purpose of the Deutschlandstipendium ( Germany Scholarship ) is to encourage and support currently enrolled students of HSRW who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement or new students whose previous academic track record indicates outstanding academic potential. Section 2 Eligibility (1) The Deutschlandstipendium is offered to currently enrolled students of HSRW who have not exceeded the standard period of study for their degree programme and future students of the HSRW who will be enrolling in the semester following their application submission. During the scholarship period recipients must remain enrolled as HSRW students and submit proof of enrolment on request. (2) The Deutschlandstipendium is awarded irrespective of income. The Deutschlandstipendium and German federal education assistance [BAföG] are considered independent and non-conflicting financial aid under German law, as the Deutschlandstipendium represents a merit-based scholarship which neither stipulates a 1
specific purpose of use, nor exceeds the BAföG limit of 300 EUR/month of additional funding for financial aid of this type (refer to Section 21 (3) Sentence 1 No. 2 of the Federal Training Assistance Act [BAföG], as well as Section 23 of its Amending Act [BAföGÄndG]). Accordingly, the Deutschlandstipendium is exempt from income-related calculations stipulated by German federal education assistance. (3) Double-funding is prohibited. The Deutschlandstipendium cannot be awarded if the intended recipient is currently receiving another merit- or talent-based scholarship. This rule does not apply to grants which average less than 30 EUR/month for each semester in the scholarship period. The Deutschlandstipendium can also be awarded on an honorary (i.e. non-financial) basis. Section 3 Rights and obligations (1) There is no legal entitlement to a Deutschlandstipendium or its financial benefits. (2) In the case of unexpected ineligibility, a Deutschlandstipendium may be revoked without notice at any time. (3) By accepting a Deutschlandstipendium, students are obliged to: 1. immediately inform HSRW of any changes which may affect eligibility within the meaning of Section 2, 2. participate in an evaluation of their academic performance and the scholarship programme, 3. freely provide all information and documentation required to verify continued eligibility for the scholarship. This includes: a) a study progress report, which includes information on extracurricular activities in professional and social contexts b) a current academic transcript c) where necessary, other relevant documentation such as certificates or proof of special circumstances. (4) By accepting a Deutschlandstipendium, students declare at the same time: 1. their willingness to participate in events associated with the scholarship programme, and 2. their agreement with the rules and regulations outlined in these Guidelines. Section 4 Type and scope of funding (1) The number of available scholarships depends on the amount of funds raised for each scholarship period and thus varies. 2
(2) As a rule, the Deutschlandstipendium consists of a monthly stipend of 300 EUR payable each month. (3) A Deutschlandstipendium is awarded for a period of one year. The scholarship period begins at the start of the winter semester and concludes with the end of the subsequent summer semester. (4) Scholarship length is limited in principle by the standard period of study of the applicant s degree programme. An application for an extension can be submitted in the event of exceptional circumstances which interrupt study progress, for example a disability, pregnancy, the care and upbringing of a child or a subject-relevant study abroad period. (5) In the event of pregnancy, the funding from a Deutschlandstipendium will continue through the maternal leave period entitled by the German Maternity Leave Act [Mutterschutzgesetz]. Additional interruptions to study progress occurring during this time shall not prolong the scholarship period. (6) The Deutschlandstipendium does not constitute an employment relationship, nor is it subject to social insurance contributions, as it is not considered a wage within the meaning of Section 14 of the German Civil Code IV [SGB IV]. Furthermore, the Deutschlandstipendium is awarded tax-free by virtue of Section 3 No. 44 of the German Income Tax Law [EStG]. Section 5 Application The Deutschlandstipendium is awarded solely on the basis of a complete and timely application submitted in accordance with a specific call for applications published on the HSRW homepage (www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/de/studium/studierende/kosten-und-finanzierung/stipendienund-foerderung/deutschlandstipendium-0). Application periods shall be announced in advance on the HSRW homepage. Section 6 Application and selection process (1) The Deutschlandstipendium is awarded annually in the winter semester. Applications must be submitted by email. Application periods shall be announced in advance on the HSRW homepage at the start of each summer semester. Additionally, the start of an application period shall be announced to students via an official email sent to their HSRW email addresses. (2) To be eligible to apply, an applicant must: 1. meet all requirements for admission to his or her degree programme at HSRW, and 2. be currently enrolled or set to enrol at HSRW in the subsequent semester. (3) The basis for an application shall always be the first degree programme in which the applicant was enrolled. (4) Applications must include a single compiled PDF file consisting of the following documents: 1. completed and signed application form (including data privacy statement); 3
2. letter of motivation; 3. CV; 4. German Abitur certificate or other documents confirming the applicant s eligibility to study in Germany, i.e. university entrance qualification (for first-semester undergraduates); 5. bachelor s degree certificate (for first-semester postgraduates); 6. current overview of study progress, i.e. HIS transcript (for students in their second semester or later); 7. additional relevant documentation pertaining to internships, work experience, other qualifications, social/community involvement and/or other special personal, social or family-related circumstances. (5) The Deutschlandstipendium is awarded by a selection committee formed by the Executive Board of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. This committee shall include the following persons: 1. with voting power: a) the President; b) the Vice-President of Studies, Teaching and Continuing Training; c) the Vice-Deans of Studies of the faculties, each of whom may be represented by a designated Link Professor [Vertrauensprofessor] from his or her respective faculty; d) a representative of the Student Parliament (StuPa); e) a representative of the General Student Committee (AStA); 2. in an advisory capacity without voting power: a) a representative of the Welcome Centre appointed by the Executive Board; b) a representative of the Career Service appointed by the Executive Board; c) the Equal Opportunities Representative of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. (6) The term in office for student members of the selection committee shall be one year. The term in office for all other members shall be two years. Reappointment is permissible. (7) The selection committee shall be chaired by the President, or by the Vice-President of Studies, Teaching and Continuing Training in the event of his or her absence. The selection committee shall have a quorum when the Chair and at least two additional members with voting power are present. Decisions are made with a simple majority of present members. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall have a casting vote. (8) The selection committee is entitled to appoint representatives from among the private scholarship donors as additional advisors. (9) Scholarship recipients are selected according to primary and secondary sets of criteria. 4
1. The primary selection criteria are based on academic achievements, in particular: a) for first-semester students, the cumgpa of the applicant s university entrance qualification, with special consideration paid to individual grades in subjects pertaining to the applicant s degree programme. b) for students in their second semester or later, the applicant s current GPA, including all scores from the previous winter semester. aa) Undergraduates: current GPA and the number of ECTS credits obtained bb) Postgraduates: cumgpa of undergraduate studies, current GPA and the number of ECTS credits obtained 2. The second set of criteria are based on social/extracurricular considerations. These include, for example, community/social involvement, a readiness to accept new responsibilities, and other social, personal or family-related circumstances of note, e.g. family background or origin. Section 7 Awarding (1) The Deutschlandstipendium shall be formally awarded by the Executive Board on the basis of decisions made by the selection committee. (2) Selected students are notified via an official grant approval letter. This letter outlines the start and length of the scholarship period as well as the total funding amount. Selected students must formally accept their Deutschlandstipendium in writing to HSRW and before the indicated deadline. The Deutschlandstipendium is awarded for a period of one year (two semesters). Section 8 Extensions (1) A current holder of a Deutschlandstipendium can apply for an extension of an additional year if the obligations in Section (3) No. 3 have been met and the academic achievements during the scholarship period justify an extension. (2) All extensions are subject to the availability of private and public scholarship funds for the proposed funding period. Section 9 Revocation (1) A Deutschlandstipendium awarded on the basis of incorrect or incomplete information can be formally revoked and the student obliged to pay back any payments made. (2) An awarded Deutschlandstipendium shall be revoked if the student does not comply with the obligations in Section 3 (3) and (4) as well as Section 8, or if the student is receiving an additional scholarship in breach of Section 2, or if HSRW determines that the merit- 5
based eligibility requirements within the meaning of Section 6 (9) are no longer met. Revocations with retroactive effect are possible, particularly in the event of doublefunding. (3) An entitlement to repayment shall exist regardless of whether the scholarship funds have been spent in whole or in part. (4) Scholarship holders are obligated to immediately report any plans to change degree programme or university, an inability to graduate within the standard period of study, any interruptions to their study progress or the intention to withdraw from Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences entirely. Non-compliance with this reporting obligation can result in scholarship revocation. Section 10 Termination (1) The Deutschlandstipendium shall be terminated prematurely at the end of the month in which the holder: 1. completes his or her final examination requirement for graduation, 2. withdraws from his or her degree programme, 3. changes his or her degree programme, or 4. is deregistered from HSRW. (2) Should the recipient enrol at a different university during the scholarship period, the Deutschlandstipendium shall continue for one semester as per the existing scholarship agreement. A semester in this context is defined as a semester observed at Rhine- Waal University of Applied Sciences. (3) A prematurely terminated Deutschlandstipendium shall be re-awarded for the remaining scholarship period according to the recommendation list of the selection committee. Subsequent recipients are not entitled to a full scholarship period within the meaning of Section 4 (3). HSRW reserves the right to: Section 11 Miscellaneous 1. modify or amend these awarding guidelines and 2. report any violations or fraud in connection with an application for a Deutschlandstipendium to the relevant authorities and to recover any unduly paid funds using all the legal means at its disposal. 6
Section 12 Publication and entry into force These Guidelines shall be published in the Official Notices of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and enter into force on the day after their publication. Notice: These Guidelines entered into force on 18 August 2016. 7