Interest-Free Education Loans: English Version
Interest-Free Education Loans for Female Students and Women with Educational Projects
The Hildegardis-Verein e.V.
We are the oldest association for the promotion of women's studies in Germany. Our association was founded in 1907 by Maria Schmitz, a teacher and politician from Aachen, and other committed Catholic women in Cologne.
For more than 110 years we have been committed to the advancement of women.
For us, that means:
- Supporting women extensively in acquiring academic qualifications and
- encouraging them to achieve their professional goals and utilize their potential.
We deliberately provide support in areas where there is no public funding because we understand learning to be a lifelong process that should not fail because of financial issues. With our work, we want to support women in their individual life situation as well as to create a social and political framework that gives them equal opportunities in terms of their lives and education in Germany.
Since our founding, we have supported approximately 1500 women. They also benefit from our network, which has grown over the years and includes all generations from young to old.
The Hildegardis-Verein is run by an honorary board of directors and is supported by a selection committee in the granting of loans. The daily work of the association is done by our office in Bonn.
WHY DO WE SPECIFICALLY SUPPORT WOMEN?
In the year the Hildegardis-Verein was founded, women in Prussia were not yet allowed to study at university. They therefore had no access to academic education. This led to disadvantages in many other areas of life, such as family and career.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the situation for women in Germany has improved enormously. This is thanks to the countless people who have worked for gender equality and equal rights over the years. Rooted in the founding mission of the Hildegardis-Verein to support Catholic women in their studies, we continue this mission and have extended it to women of every Christian denomination.
Today, women still face specific and systemic challenges and disadvantages in education and employment: Compared to men, they earn less, are more likely to care for children and relatives, and are less likely to hold leadership or board positions.
We therefore want to make women visible in church and society and help them have equal opportunities on their educational, career and life paths, because we believe in our motto:
Bildung verleiht Flügel
(Education enables to fly)
HOW DO WE PROMOTE?
- interest-free
- in monthly amounts of 250 € or 500 €
- up to a maximum total amount of 10.000 €
- strength-oriented and inclusive
- with access to a nationwide network
- accompanied by network meetings and women's forums
WHO DO WE PROMOTE?
Women
- of any age
- of any nationality
- with any family situation
- with any career goal
- of any field of study
- with any degree
- of any Christian denomination
WHAT DO WE PROMOTE?
Study
- All degrees: Bachelor, Master, state examination, diploma
- Study completion phases
- Semester abroad
Profession
- Learning a trade
- Further job-related training
IMMEDIATE AID
- Loans for female students from Ukraine
- Special loans in response to crises (e.g. Corona)
On the basis of the written documents, which also include a pastoral care report and a university report, the selection committee of the association, together with the board of directors, decides on an invitation to a personal interview. Subsequently, the final acceptance or rejection is issued. Rejections are not justified.
In the case of a positive decision on admission, the presentation of a directly enforceable guarantee by a German citizen to secure the loan is required as a prerequisite for the disbursement of the loan. The borrowers are obliged to submit regular reports on the progress of their studies.
The application deadline is June 30 and December 31 respectively.
Application for interest-free loan
Above all, we would like to know from you:
Who are you?
What do you bring with you?
What do you hope to achieve?
Application requirements can be a deterrent. The Hildegardis-Verein wants to be a place where you fit in with all your qualities.
Feel free to contact us!
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
- Cover letter
-
Your qualification idea or goals of the study program/training
(Where do you want to go - what is your vision for the future? Where are you currently?
Explain your financial situation
Current life circumstances (e.g. family situation)
Reasons why you would like to be supported by the Hildegardis Association
Are you committed to solidarity?
Tell us about it: Where do you get involved? Where are you committed to helping others?
-
- Application form with
- photo
- Financing plan (Page 2)
(Information on the amount and intended use of the loan applied for as well as an explanation for the lack of alternative financing) - as well as the acknowledged and signed data protection form (page 3)
on the obligation to provide information when collecting personal data in accordance with §§ 14, 15 and 16 KDG.
- Informative Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- which focuses on the course of studies to date, the presentation of life circumstances (family situation), and the personal connection and involvement with the Christian faith
- Copies of certificates / transcripts
- Possibly certified translations to documents in non-German language
- Copies of school leaving certificates
- Confirmation of admission from the educational institution (Certificate of Matriculation for the current semester)
- Current academic transcripts (with grades if available)
- For non-EU citizens: a written proof of residence status
- Documents that are not in the original German or English language must be accompanied by certified translations.
- Expert opinions:
- Expert opinion of a pastoral counselor (e.g. from university / local parish)
You can find guidelines for the pastoral care report here. - Expert opinion from a university professor (for a study grant application)or a lecturer in the chosen subject (in the case of an application for further education funding).
This reference should contain a description and evaluation of the course of study/training to date, a description of the main subject areas and interests as well as an assessment of potential and career prospects.
- Expert opinion of a pastoral counselor (e.g. from university / local parish)
Application procedure
You decide to apply for an interest-free educational loan from the Hildegardis-Verein and compile all the necessary documents.
You submit these by 30.06. or 31.12. respectively.
After the application deadline, the selection process begins.On the basis of the complete documents submitted: The selection committee and the Executive Board, will decide whether to invite you to a personal interview or not. We will inform you abot the decision.
After this interview, the final approval or rejection for an educational loan will be issued. No reasons will be given for rejections.
In the event of a positive decision on acceptance, a directly enforceable guarantee from a person with German citizenship is required to secure the loan. Borrowers undertake to submit regular reports on the progress of their studies.
Repayment of the loan begins two years after the last loan installment or upon taking up employment. This usually takes place according to a contractually agreed schedule. The loan amount granted is paid back to the Hildegardis Association in monthly installments: 10 percent of the loan amount granted each year, but at least € 120 per month.
Please send your application to:
Hildegardis-Verein e.V.
Frauen – Studien – Fördern
Prof. Dr. Charlotte Kreuter-Kirchhof
Wittelsbacherring 9
D-53115 Bonn
CONTACT
Do you have questions about the loans or about our association? Please contact us! We are happy to help.
Projektmitarbeiterin für Darlehen und Vereinsentwicklung
Tel. 0228 / 96 59 249, E-Mail
We are looking forward to meeting you!