Studienbeihilfenbehörde (Grants Authority)
Official body for student grants — application deadlines, requirements and online application.
FinanzenOpen
Student Support
Student Support Hub.
Trusted resources for studying, funding, housing and life in Austria. MÖH links to specialised institutions rather than replicating details.
Note
MÖH offers orientation and community, but does not replace legal, psychological, social or official advice. Please check the linked sites directly with the responsible institutions.
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I need help with …
Financial hardship
When money is tight or you're looking for support during your studies.
FinanceHardship fundGrants
To financial support Mental strain
When exam stress, loneliness, overwhelm or personal crises get too much.
Mental HealthCounsellingconfidential
To mental health Housing, lease or deposit
When you have questions about tenancy law, deposits, flatshares or student housing.
HousingTenancyDeposit
To housing & tenancy Residency or visa
When you study internationally and need info on residence, entry or authorities.
InternationalResidencyOeAD
To international students Experienced discrimination
When you've experienced racism, discrimination or disadvantage and want to know where to turn.
Anti-discriminationRacismCounselling
To discrimination & support Connection & community
When you're new, want to meet people or get involved with MÖH.
CommunityEventsMÖH
To the MÖH community Financial support
Studying can be financially challenging. For grants, hardship funds and subsidies, official bodies and the ÖH are the better contact, since requirements, deadlines and amounts change regularly.
Stipendium.at
Central platform of the Austrian grants authority with information on grants, self-funded scholarship and more.
FinanzenOpen
ÖH Hardship Fund (Sozialfonds)
Support from the Austrian Students' Union for students in financial hardship.
FinanzenOpen
ÖH Funding Overview
Overview of various ÖH support offerings for students in difficult situations.
FinanzenOpen
Chamber of Labour: Grants for students
Overview of possible grants and subsidies for students.
FinanzenOpen
Note
Always check directly with the responsible body which requirements currently apply.
Guide
Austrian student grants – how to apply for Studienbeihilfe
Studienbeihilfe (state student grant) and the Selbsterhalter:innenstipendium (self-supporter scholarship) are the most important public funding options for students in Austria. This guide explains the key requirements, deadlines and application steps. Always confirm current amounts and rules directly with the Studienbeihilfenbehörde at stipendium.at.
How to apply for Studienbeihilfe in 5 steps
- Check eligibility: Austrian citizenship or equivalent status, social need, satisfactory academic progress, studies started before turning 33.
- Gather documents: Meldezettel (residence registration), enrolment confirmation, academic transcripts, parental income proof (or your own for self-supporter), ID Austria.
- Submit the application online: log in at stipendium.at with ID Austria and fill in the Studienbeihilfe form.
- Mind the deadlines: 15 December for winter term, 15 May for summer term. Earlier applications secure payment from the start of the semester.
- Read the decision and report changes: notify the Studienbeihilfenbehörde immediately of changes in income, address or studies to avoid repayments.
Studienbeihilfe eligibility checklist
- Austrian citizens, EU/EEA citizens, recognised refugees or certain third-country nationals with permanent residence
- social need (income and assets of parents, partner and yourself)
- satisfactory academic progress in an ordinary degree programme
- first degree or directly related Master's programme
- studies started before age 33 (extensions for children, disability, self-supporters)
- within the maximum funding duration (minimum study time + 1 tolerance semester)
Selbsterhalter scholarship – if you supported yourself before studying
The Selbsterhalter:innenstipendium is for students who supported themselves through paid work for at least 4 years before starting their studies. Instead of parental income, your own income is assessed – often resulting in significantly higher grants.
- at least 48 months of gainful employment before receiving Studienbeihilfe for the first time
- annual income above the statutory minimum during that period (current value: stipendium.at)
- the age limit for starting studies extends to 35 years
- apply via stipendium.at as for Studienbeihilfe, plus extra income documentation
Frequently asked questions about Austrian student grants
How much is Studienbeihilfe in Austria?
The maximum Studienbeihilfe is currently a few hundred euros per month and depends on parental income, your living situation and your own earnings. Higher amounts are possible with the Selbsterhalter scholarship, the supplement for studying away from home, or for students with children. Use the grant calculator on stipendium.at for the exact figure.
When do I have to apply for Studienbeihilfe?
Applications for the winter term must be submitted by 15 December, for the summer term by 15 May. Earlier applications mean the grant is paid retroactively from the start of the semester (1 September or 1 March).
Who is eligible for Studienbeihilfe?
Eligible students are enrolled in an ordinary degree programme, hold Austrian citizenship or equivalent status, can show social need and satisfactory academic progress, and started their studies before turning 33 (with some exceptions).
How does the Selbsterhalter scholarship work?
If you supported yourself for at least 4 years before starting your studies (with a minimum annual income), the Selbsterhalter scholarship assesses only your own income, not your parents'. The grant is often higher and the age limit extends to 35.
Which documents do I need for the application?
Meldezettel, enrolment confirmation, academic transcripts (from the 2nd semester onwards), parental income proof or your own income records, evidence of children or disability if applicable, and ID Austria for the online login.
What happens if I switch or pause my studies?
Switching within the first 2 semesters is usually unproblematic. Later switches or interruptions can shorten your entitlement. Report study changes immediately to the Studienbeihilfenbehörde to avoid repayments.
Are there other scholarships besides Studienbeihilfe?
Yes. In addition to Studienbeihilfe and the Selbsterhalter scholarship, there are merit scholarships from universities, mobility grants (e.g. Erasmus+, OeAD), the ÖH hardship fund for acute emergencies, and private scholarship programmes. Overviews are available on stipendium.at and via the ÖH funding pages.
Can international students receive Studienbeihilfe?
EU/EEA citizens, recognised refugees and third-country nationals with permanent residence may be eligible under certain conditions. Third-country nationals without permanent residence are usually excluded — OeAD scholarships and ÖH funding pages are the main alternatives.
Amounts, age limits and deadlines may change. Binding information is only provided by the Studienbeihilfenbehörde at stipendium.at. MÖH does not replace social or legal advice.
Mental health & psychological support
Studies, exams, performance pressure, loneliness or personal strain can be a lot. You don't have to face it alone. There are confidential, professional support services for students.
Psychological Student Counselling
Official counselling for students and prospective students in Austria. Support for stress, crises, choosing a study, exam anxiety and personal topics.
Mental HealthOpen
ÖH Helpline
Psychosocial support service of the ÖH for students.
Mental HealthOpen
Important
In case of acute danger or if you feel you or others are at immediate risk, please contact the emergency services or an acute crisis centre. This page is not an emergency service.
Housing & tenancy questions
Whether it's a lease, deposit, flatshare, student housing or termination — housing questions can quickly get complicated. For legal and concrete advice, use specialised counselling services.
ÖH Tenancy Counselling
Free ÖH counselling on lease, deposit, flatshare, student housing and termination.
WohnenOpen
ÖH Housing
ÖH overview on housing, tenancy questions and student dorms.
WohnenOpen
Note
Local advice differs per university. Ask your ÖH student union (e.g. JKU, Uni Wien, Uni Graz) about regional tenancy counselling.
International students, residency & arriving
For international students, residency, entry, admission, German skills and tuition fees are often central questions. We link to official bodies because requirements and procedures need to stay up to date.
OeAD: Entry & Residency
Official information on entry and residency for students and researchers in Austria.
InternationalOpen
OeAD: Residence permit – Student
Information on the residence title for third-country nationals admitted to study at an Austrian university.
InternationalOpen
Study in Austria
Official platform offering orientation for international students in Austria.
InternationalOpen
ÖH counselling for international students
Free ÖH counselling on residence titles, visa, admission, German skills, tuition fees and more.
InternationalOpen
Discrimination, racism & anti-discrimination
If you've experienced discrimination, racism or disadvantage, it's important not to stay alone. MÖH can be a first community contact, but specialised counselling can support you professionally.
Equal Treatment Ombud
State institution offering free counselling and support on discrimination and sexual harassment.
DiskriminierungOpen
Discrimination – What can I do?
Overview of the Equal Treatment Ombud on support, rights and possible steps.
DiskriminierungOpen
ZARA – Civil Courage & Anti-Racism
Free counselling for those affected by and witnesses of racism, including online hate.
DiskriminierungOpen
What you can document
- Date and time
- Location or platform
- people involved
- exact sequence or wording
- screenshots, emails or messages
- possible witnesses
- how the situation affected you
If you're unsure, you can also reach out to MÖH confidentially. We'll help you find the right contact.
Studies, ÖH & university counselling
For many study-related questions, the ÖH or your local student union is the right first stop. They offer advice on study law, social topics, getting started and local services.
ÖH Counselling
Overview of counselling offers from the Austrian Students' Union.
StudiumOpen
ÖH Counselling Centres
Overview of counselling centres and support services for students.
StudiumOpen
ÖH Studying with a child
Information and brochures for student parents — childcare, financial aid and study organisation.
StudiumOpen
Local ÖH services
Many universities have their own counselling — for example at JKU, Uni Wien, TU Wien, WU, Uni Graz or universities of applied sciences. Check your university's ÖH page for local consultation hours.
Muslim Student Life
MÖH complements official counselling with community, lived experience and Muslim perspectives in everyday student life.
Prayer rooms & rooms of silence
A future area for information on prayer rooms, rooms of silence and campus offerings. Information should ideally come directly from universities or link to them.
Suggest a roomRamadan on campus
Tips, iftar calendar and community events around Ramadan during studies. Current dates stay in the MÖH calendar.
See iftar datesÇay Talks
Open conversation circles over tea about studies, identity, belonging, the future and society.
Find Çay TalksCommunity & arriving
For anyone new to a city, looking for connection or wanting to network with other Muslim students.
See MÖH eventsWhat MÖH can do for you
MÖH is not an authority or a professional counselling service. But MÖH can help you not stay alone, find first orientation and connect with people who know similar experiences.
Orientation
We help you find the right contact when you don't know where to start.
Community
We create spaces where you can meet other students and exchange experiences.
Co-creation
You can bring in your own ideas — from Çay Talks and iftars to support formats for students.
Not sure which service fits?
Write us briefly what it's about. We can't replace professional advice, but we're happy to help with orientation.