Nearly 200 students of Paderborn University received financial support

In May 2020, Paderborn University established the Corona Aid Fund, an emergency financial aid for students in need. With the support of the University Society (UG) and the General Students' Committee (AStA), a total of 199 applications were approved within one year and over 88,000 euros were distributed. However, since the demand from students is now clearly declining, those responsible have now decided to close the funding pot.

Review of a successful project

Prof. Dr. Birgitt Riegraf, President of the University, is pleased with the successful project: "With the money from the aid fund, we were able to help students through this difficult time quickly and unbureaucratically. It was important to us to set a visible sign of solidarity during the pandemic."

The success was only possible because numerous supporters joined forces. More than 180 individual donors, including University employees, private individuals and companies from the region, as well as local associations and organisations, contributed to the fact that almost 200 students were able to enjoy a grant of up to 450 euros. The prerequisite for this was that they could prove that they were in financial need due to the corona pandemic. Many applications were also received from foreign students who continued their studies in Paderborn despite the challenging situation.

From idea to implementation in the shortest time possible

"After the idea was born in mid-April 2020, the first applications for the Corona Aid Fund were already submitted at the beginning of May. I would like to thank everyone involved for the quick implementation," says Sharlene Frammelsberger, Chair of the Paderborn AStA, praising the cooperation with the Presidential Board, the administration, Alumni Paderborn e. V. and the UG.