Advice for Students with Caregiving Responsibilities
Students who care for family members or friends, as well as (expectant) student parents, must cope with additional challenges alongside their studies. At RUB, a variety of counseling programs and services are available to help students balance their studies with their caregiving responsibilities.
A Sympathetic Ear
Would you like to exchange views and receive advice on questions, challenges and conflicts that you face in connection with balancing your studies and family life? Here you will find psychological and psychosocial counseling and support.
- When things get tense – counseling and support in stressful and overwhelming situations
- To reconcile studying and family life
- To look into childcare options
- Contact persons and facilities for students with children
- Pregnancy during studies
Contact the Psychological Counseling Service
Study Organization
You want to
- find out about maternity protection regulations for female students
- find out about the possibilities of organizing your studies with a child
- find out about the possibilities and consequences of taking a leave of absence from your studies
- know what disadvantage compensation is available for students with family responsibilities and possibilities of making the studies more flexible
- get back into your studies after an interruption.
Get in touch with the Student Advisory Service
Financing
You want to
- to know in general what possibilities you have to secure your livelihood and that of your child/children during your studies
- find out about financial aid and your entitlements during pregnancy,
- know which foundations support students with children
- know which social benefits are available to student parents and their children
- find out about the financial consequences of taking a leave of absence from your studies.
Contact the Student Financial Counseling Service
- Contact and office hours
- The Study Funding Portal also offers initial information on this subject
Other Resources
External Services and Counseling Centers for Students with caregiving responsibilities
- "Pausentaste" is a program offered by the Federal Ministry for Youth for children and teenagers who care for their families. It is a guide that, among other things, highlights available support programs and services.
- Recommended links (german language):
"Close Up" interview series: Former young caregivers talk about their experiences
Interview with sociologist Dr. Anna Wanke, who researches the challenges young students and apprentices face in balancing caregiving with their education
- Recommended links (german language):
- Contact Office for Caregiver Self-Help / Alzheimer Society Bochum e.V.
Universitätsstraße 77 | 44789 Bochum
Contact person:
Barbara Crombach
Email: barbara.crombach@alzheimer-bochum.de
Phone: 0234 33 77 72 | Cell: 01514 3329188 - Guide from the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE): Guide for students caring for relatives (download at the bottom of the page)
Who else Provides Information about Studying with a Child?
In addition to the Social and Funding Counseling Service at the Student Advice Center, guidance is also available from the following services
