Exemption from the semester public transport pass / reimbursement

You can apply for an exemption if one of the following applies:

• severe disability
• academic leave
• time abroad
• enrollment at and ticket from another university (e.g., if you do a double degree at 2 different universities)

If none of the above applies, your application for exemption will not be successful. Please check whether you qualify for reimbursement through the semester public transport pass hardship fund instead. 

You must apply for exemption via STiNE under Studying -> Applications Your application must include the following proof:

• Severe disability: ID attesting to disability marked “G”, “aG“, “H”, “Bl”, “Gl”, „VB“, or „EB“
• Academic leave No proof required, but your application for academic leave must already be approved. Thus, make sure you apply for academic leave before or at the time you apply for an exemption.
• Time abroad: Proof of time abroad related to your studies: e.g., acceptance letter, enrollment certificate, or equivalent from the host university, proof of an internship, etc.
• Semester ticket from another university: Proof of enrollment at another German university and proof from the responsible university office that you will buy a ticket there

How long is the exemption valid?

• Disability: for the period of validity displayed on the disability card
• Academic leave: for the duration of the approved academic leave period
• Time abroad: for the duration of the stay stated in the proof
•  Semester ticket from another university: One semester

Application deadlines:

• 30 November for the winter semester
• 30 April for the summer semester

For contractual reasons, we cannot offer other exemptions or deadline extensions.

If your exemption application is approved, you do not have to pay the ticket portion of the semester contribution during the exemption period. If you are exempted before paying the semester contribution, the ticket fee will be deducted from your contribution to reduce the amount payable and you will receive a new contribution notification and sample payment slip with the reduced amount. If you are exempted after having paid the contribution, we will reimburse the ticket fee to the account indicated in your application. Please submit your exemption request BEFORE you pay the entire semester contribution total, as reimbursement may take some time.

Please note: Once your application for exemption from the semester ticket has been submitted and granted, the exemption cannot be reversed until the end of the semester for which the exemption was granted.