For many students, applying for a scholarship or other financial support can be a taboo topic or associated with feelings of guilt. However, this support can be crucial if you want to successfully complete your studies, preserve your mental health and ultimately have similar academic conditions to fellow students from more privileged backgrounds. This question can therefore also be considered in terms of educational equity.
Cantonal scholarships
Scholarships are cantonally regulated in Switzerland, with most cantons having agreed on certain minimum standards in the Swiss Scholarship Concordat. Since in Switzerland parents’ and spouses’ obligation to provide support is enshrined in law, the financial situation of the family is examined. Scholarships are considered additional income and do not cover the entire cost of living.
Applying for scholarships is often an administratively complex and lengthy process. In addition, there are long waiting times and uncertainties, which increase the pressure and burden on students. Student organisations and the student finance departments at universities can advise future students and registered students, including on alternative financing options, and help with the preparation of the application dossier.
Unfortunately, many students who need financial support do not meet the criteria of the current cantonal scholarship system. In some cases, public scholarships are not sufficient because they are intended as a supplementary income: not everybody can be gainfully employed or supported by their family.
For this reason, universities and private foundations have set up alternative support services and financial aid for students. Depending on the situation of the student and the university, these services take the form of either one-off or long-term help. The student finance departments and student associations provide advice on financing-related issues and also help with scholarship applications to private foundations.
Links :
Educa Swiss : this foundation offers free support with planning and budgeting your career-related educational project and by arranging low-interest educational loans..
