What is the average budget per month of a Student living at Jacobs?

The typical budget seems to be around 150 Euros. But this can vary depending on how much one likes to spend on foods, drinks, shopping and travel. Expenses are always higher at the beginning of the semester due to initial settling expenses such as clothes to fit the weather, extra furniture and decoration for one's room, text books and readers, paying for one's residence permit, etc.

What is the cost of basic necessities like printing, cleaning supplies, and laundry?

Printing is free in the residential colleges and research buildings. Some colleges has colour printing facilities at a very low cost. One is expected to bring one's own paper - you can buy paper for 4 euros at Pulse Express (a convenience-store located in the Student Activity Center on campus) or in any department/stationery store in the mall.

Major cleaning supplies (broom, mop, vacuum cleaner) should be located in one's floor kitchen. As it is commonly used by all floor members, it is the duty of every floor member to maintain these supplies. Other cleaning supplies (trash bags, room fresheners etc.) can be purchased at any local supermarket.

All residential colleges are equipped with laundry machines and driers. They are located in the basement of each block. Laundry costs 1 Euro and drying costs 50 cents.

Are there any ‘unexpected expenses’ that come up in the year that I should expect?

One will definitely have to buy a LAN cable at the beginning of the semester. It can be purchased at the electronics store in the mall or from other students who might be selling their spare ones.

At the beginning one encounter lots of unexpected expenses:

• residence permit at 60 Euro
• semester fee for our gym and swimming pool at 15 Euros and 20 Euros respectively
• health insurance at 57 Euro each month (it is deducted automatically from one's bank account)
  

Will I have to pay for the meals that I do not eat?

Yes, this is a university policy. The fee for board is paid once each semester and it is non refundable irrespective of our consumption.

What exactly does the Room and Board Cost cover?

Room and Board covers your room, and all cafeteria (aka servery) meals. It also covers electricity, internet, water, maintenance and most basic amenities.

What is the typical cost of books and readers?

The price of a reader depends on its size. They can be purchased at the Pule Express and generally the prices range between 10 Euros and 30 Euro. Oftentimes, 2nd and 3rd year students sell their old readers at much cheaper prices. (But keep in mind that sometimes professors change the content and the latest one needs to be purchased)

Text books come in wide range of prices. New books can range from 80 or 100 Euros, but these also can be bought second hand from other students or from second hand websites at cheaper prices. One must regularly check one's Jacobs e-mail for emails and ask second and third years from to get the best deal on books.

Oftentimes books can just be checked out from the library. Course books (i.e. those related to specific classes) are kept on reserve, i.e. they need to be returned within four hours of borrowing, for the convenience of all students

FAQ: Financial Aid by Jacobs Financial Aid Office

When will the tuition bills be sent to us?

The Student Financial Services Office will send you your bill when it confirms receipt of your enrollment deposit. These bills will contain the amount of tuition due plus the semester ticket fee and the university fee. The outstanding amount on this bill is then due by August 15th.

Could new students pay their bills with cash once they arrive at the university?

No, the deadline for payment is August 15th, which means you would have to pay before arriving on campus.

Is the 500 € enrollment deposit discounted from the Expected family contribution?

The enrollment deposit is no longer discounted from the Expected Family Contribution. It will be placed on a separate account until you graduate from or leave Jacobs University. Please check the following link for all details regarding the Enrollment Deposit Policy: http://www.jacobs-university.de/SFS_Policies_Handbook

You will need to pay your entire Expected Family Contribution and fees before registering for classes. You will receive an invoice when you receive confirmation of the receipt of your enrollment deposit.

What is welcome money?

Welcome money was a gift of 50 Euros to all new residents of Bremen. Unfortunately, this welcome money concept no longer exists.

In case of extreme financial hardship, would I have any chance of being excused from the enrollment deposit?

No, all incoming students are required to submit an enrollment deposit and no exceptions are made to this policy. This deposit is refundable and returned after graduation.

How do you know your enrollment deposit has been received by Jacobs University after you make the payment? Do you get an email acknowledging this?

You will receive a confirmation by email from the Student Financial Services Office as soon as your deposit has arrived and been deposited by our staff. You will also receive your student bill for the first semester with this email. Please note that this might take some time.

I have the Financial Aid Package. What else am I suppose to pay for when I come?

Your expected family contribution, semester ticket fee and university fee are due by the 15th of August 15th. All new students will receive a bill of confirmation from the Student Financial Services once the enrollment deposit is received to confirm admission.

What is expected family contribution?

The expected family contribution is the amount you and your family are expected to pay to Jacobs University for tuition, room and board only (i.e. everything that has not already been covered by your scholarship and grant). The expected family contribution does not include additional expenses such as books, health insurance, laptop, etc.

I found out that we have to pay tuition and other expenses before arriving on campus. Does the enrollment deposit go into my account and will it be deducted from the total fee that I have to pay to the university. Eg: My expected family contribution is EUR 1000 annually and I have already payed EUR 500 as enrollment deposit. Do I have to pay only EUR 500 now or the whole sum of EUR 1000?

If your expected family contribution is 1000 Euros for the academic year, you will need to pay this 1000 Euros over and above the enrollment deposit of 500 Euros. Your enrollment deposit will be kept on a separate account until you graduate from or leave Jacobs University. Please check the following link for all details regarding the enrollment deposit and other payment policies: http://www.jacobs-university.de/SFS_Policies_Handbook.

What is the safest and most convenient means to take money with me to Jacobs University?

The process of opening a bank account in Bremen may take a couple of weeks. In order to be able to sustain yourself and all initial expenses until this time, it is most safe to bring most of your money in the form of demand drafts. These drafts can be converted into cash at any bank. (It is important to carry some currency/cash in hand for emergency purposes).
Once your bank account has been opened, the safest way to handle money is through your new account here in Bremen.

What are the most common expenses students have?

Pizza, Energy drinks (Red Bull, Cola), Snacks, Warm clothes, birthday presents for friends, etc.

Where can students go shopping?

There’re several places within 10 minutes of the university, such as Haven Höövt (mall) in Vegesack and Plus (supermarket) on Schoenebecker Strasse. Students can also go a bit further to downtown Bremen where there’re a lot of shopping areas.

Do students have any transportation costs?

No. All students receive a "semester ticket" each semester (price included in the financial package) that allows them to take all the means of transportation within Bremen area (trams, buses). They can also take regional trains from Bremen to surrounding cities such as Hamburg, Hannover, Osnabrueck, Bremerhaven, Cuxhaven, etc.

What type of activities do students pay for off campus?

Cinema, Clubbing, Uni Bremen parties, dining, Werder Bremen matches, CeBIT fair (in Hannover), etc.

Mobile Phones

Is it necessary to have a mobile phone at Jacobs?

No, certainly not, because for some people it’s enough to have the phone in their rooms or just use any chat software. However, sometimes you will have some urgent matters to discuss and taking into consideration the complex scheduling of Jacobs University it gets nearly impossible to manage it using the methods mentioned above. Moreover, the more friends you have, the more connected you might want to be, and the more you will need a mobile phone. You can bring a phone from home and purchase a local sim card or or buy the phone at any local distributor in Bremen.

What is the best SIM option for students?

There are several mobile phone companies which offer different call options for students (T-Mobile, O2, Vodafone, Simyo). There are various price ranges and call-sms packages to choose from. This is highly subjective and depending on the extent of usage, one can make their choice. Its best to take one's time, analyse the cost-benefit ratio of all packages and then choose the best contract

How can I talk to the people from home by phone? (Except them calling me)

One FREE alternative is www.peterzahlt.de, but the only disadvantage is that you can call from Germany only to the countries listed there. Another way is to go to The Pulse (the shop on campus) and grab a Go Bananas calling card which you can use with your room phone. You will be provided a code that will permit you to call people outside the campus. The third alternative is quite expensive but straight forward—you can call them from the mobile phone. The fourth alternative is to use Voice Over Internet Protocol. The connected can be obtained through the internet for one's mobile phone (this is probably the cheapest alternative). The last alternative is to use Skype calling (by loading one's account with some credit).

Can anyone call me on my room phone from the outside?

Yes, and in fact it’s quite easy. You have to dial: 0421 200 xxxx if you are in Germany and 0049 421 200 xxxx if you are calling from outside of Germany. xxxx is the individual intercom number for the phone in your room. (There should be a sticker with your number on the phone in your room)

I know someone from the campus. How can I find his/her number?

This is very easy. You just go to http://ircitweb.irc-it.jacobs-university.de/ldap-search.php (Note: this website is only available under Jacobs internet connection). There you have the option to search for part of the person’s name, campusnet username, Jacobs e-mail, room number if member of the faculty. This search is also good in case someone calls you and leaves you a message and you don’t know whose number it is; then you can search for the number on LDAP. Note: you can only do this when you are connected to the internet on campus or signed in via VPN.

What is the difference between a scholarship and a grant?

Scholarships are need-blind and based on one's academic achievements. Grants are awarded based on one's family’s financial situation. Reimbursement of the grant and/or scholarship is not expected.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

Every student applying for admission will automatically be considered for these merit-based scholarship/awards. There is no need for a separate scholarship application.

What types of scholarships are offered at Jacobs?

The admissions office determines the scholarship amount that a student receives as a reward for his/her academic excellence. The different kinds of scholarships are:

• Full scholarship: covers all expenses (room and board, tuition)
• Part scholarships: variable amounts as judged by the admissions office
• Private scholarships from other sources/sponsors are also recognized by the university.
• Mid-semester scholarships: these scholarships are offered by external sponsors after arrival at Jacobs (they may be accepted and sourced by Jacobs)

Can I lose my scholarship?

All students are required to submit a financial aid renewal application for each year they attend Jacobs University. The Student Financial Services Office checks the GPA (Grade Point Average) of each scholarship recipient each year. If the GPA drops to 3.0 or lower, then the student may lose his/her scholarship. If any additional financial need is shown in the application, the student could receive a grant to cover all or some of the expenses.

• Once the scholarship is lost, it cannot be regained.

Can I receive a scholarship during the course of my studies, if I haven’t received one upon arrival?

No, there is no scope for receiving a scholarship during your studies at Jacobs from the university. However, you are encouraged to apply for private scholarships. Example German students can apply for the SdW (Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft), German students with an immigrant background can apply for a scholarship from the Vodafone Foundation, etc.

For further information, please check http://www.jacobs-university.de/admission/scholarships