Informationen
Since summer 2007, FH Aachen-students are obligated to pay a tuition fee of 500 € per semester. The AStA opposes the introduction of tuition fees, as this is socially unfair and limits the fundamental right of free education for each and everyone.
Since we were not able to stop the introduction of fees due to the political situation, we decided to quit fighting to abandon the fees and instead try to help shaping the rules for tuition fees (Beitragssatzung) in order to create as many exceptional cases as possible. In fact, we already achieved quite a bit, the FH Aachen’s rules for tuition are exceptional compared to other rules in NRW. Among other things, we enforced that you don’t need to pay when completing an internship or a semester abroad.
The tuition fees are justified by the legislator by saying that the money should only be used for “improving the standards of education”. Therefore, a commission has been founded which deals with the use of these tuition fees. This group of people consist of students, professors, assistants and staff alike. So we actually have a voice and we will make use of that.
As a consequence of the introduction of tuition fees the FH Aachen became a service provider and therefore education a commodity; as such the FH Aachen has to provide a decent service to the students at any time. If there is anything wrong in your department, do not hesitate to contact us.
Here is a short example taken out of the everyday life:
You go shopping at H&M buying a brand new jacket (symbolizing our education) and getting a receipt (Student ID). Once you are home, you try on your jacket noticing that two buttons are missing (could be equal to the examination regulation), so you have to return it to the store. You go back to the store showing your receipt and get either a new one or your money back. Usually, this is how things go on the free market. Of course this is pure utopia in matters of our tuition fees but theoretically it is possible.
Actually the FH should stand side by side with its students and provide guidance and advice since it was them who introduced tuition fees. If there are any questions of any kind the AStA is always there for you but the university itself should be the first place to go.
Since not every student has to pay the tuition (as we mentioned before; you don’t have to pay during an internship or your semester abroad, as well as in some other cases) please read the rule of tuition fees carefully. You can find more information, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and a “waiver form” on these websites of the FH Aachen:
http://www.fh-aachen.de/studienbeitraege.html
http://www.fh-aachen.de/dlc_studienbeitraege.html
If you have any suggestions, ideas for using tuitions, questions concerning a tuition relief or opinions to this topic, please send an email to:
studienbeitrag@asta.fh-aachen.de
