The social counselling service of the Studierendenwerk (the student services organisation) helps students when money, housing, part-time work, health insurance or family duties put pressure on everyday student life. Many students do not know that this counselling also applies when a problem does not fit neatly into one category. This guide explains what social counselling offers, how an appointment typically runs and where it reaches its limits.
Short answer: Social counselling at the Studierendenwerk advises on study funding, social benefits, part-time jobs, health insurance and many everyday questions. Services differ between regional Studierendenwerke. The Studierendenwerk Mannheim describes appointments by arrangement at any stage of study. Check the opening hours for your own location on your Studierendenwerk website. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Social counselling covers a broad range of topics, from study funding to finding accommodation.
- Services differ between Studierendenwerke in scope, opening hours and target groups.
- Depending on the location, counselling takes place in person, by phone or by arrangement.
- The services name confidentiality explicitly. Ask your Studierendenwerk about data protection details.
- For questions outside its remit, the counselling refers you on to other bodies.
What does the Studierendenwerk social counselling offer?
Social counselling is a contact point for questions that come up during studies and cannot be solved by a lecturer alone. The Studierendenwerk Mannheim lists study funding, social benefits, part-time work, childcare, pregnancy, insurance, discounts and the final phase of study as topics in its leaflet. The social counselling of the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen covers similar areas, including orientation difficulties, housing benefit and the search for accommodation.
When strain goes beyond money, social counselling is often the first point of contact because it can work out which body is responsible. It does not replace psychotherapeutic treatment, and it is not legal representation in the narrower sense.
| Topic | Typical questions | Who is responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Study funding | BAföG application, evidence, rates, deadlines | Social counselling, the responsible BAföG office |
| Health insurance | Membership, family insurance, contribution questions | Social counselling as first information, then the health insurer |
| Housing and part-time work | Flat search, housing benefit, mini-job and studies | Social counselling and the municipal housing benefit office |
| Family and children | Childcare, studying with a child, pregnancy | Social counselling with extra support for students with children |
The responsibilities in the table are a guide only. Whether a body decides binding in an individual case depends on the legal basis, and social counselling can usually name the right contact point.
How does a counselling appointment work?
The procedure depends on the Studierendenwerk. The Studierendenwerk Mannheim describes personal appointments by prior arrangement and offers counselling at any stage of study. The Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen explains that sometimes a short piece of information is enough and sometimes more intensive support is needed. Duration and intensity depend on what you require. Its documents also list open consultation hours in Braunschweig and Wolfenbüttel.
For a first conversation it helps to bring documents, such as notices from authorities, contracts, bank statements or correspondence with an agency. That lets counselling assess the situation faster.
Who can use social counselling?
The services are aimed primarily at students. The Studierendenwerk Mannheim also names prospective students of the cooperating universities. According to its information, special support is available for students with children, students with a disability or chronic illness, and international students. The Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen names the same groups and also covers students in general.
If you belong to one of these groups, mention it when you book. Counselling can then respond more precisely to your situation.
Where social counselling reaches its limits
Social counselling may advise on legal questions only to a limited extent. The Studierendenwerk Mannheim describes tips on affordable legal advice and forwarding questions to the responsible bodies. This is sensible, because a binding answer on a tenancy agreement or an official notice should come from a body that is responsible for it.
If you face an acute financial emergency, the hardship fund is a different instrument. The guide hardship and emergency funds of the Studierendenwerke explains how it works. Social counselling can tell you whether an application is worthwhile.
Social counselling and psychological strain
Students who are psychologically strained by worries about money, housing or family often find a first point of stability in social counselling. It is not responsible for treating mental illness, however. For that, university counselling, general practitioners or psychotherapists are the right contact. The guide psychological counselling at the university shows which services the university offers.
A link between both forms of counselling is often useful. Social counselling can relieve pressure around study funding, while psychological counselling supports how you deal with the strain itself.
Frequently asked questions
Does social counselling cost anything?
The documents analysed here give different information and no generally valid answer. Ask at the first contact whether costs arise for your location and your concern, and read the information on your Studierendenwerk website.
Is the counselling confidential?
The services name confidentiality explicitly. The Studierendenwerk Mannheim describes confidential and anonymous counselling. How far data protection goes in an individual case should be asked at your location before you hand over personal documents.
Do I have to observe a deadline?
Applications to authorities have their own deadlines, and social counselling can help you recognise them. Many problems become harder when they are tackled late, so do not wait until the last week.
Can I get advice online or by phone?
That depends on the Studierendenwerk. The documents list telephone numbers and email addresses of counselling points, but appointments are usually arranged in person or by agreement. Check the details for your location.
What can I expect at a first conversation?
In a first conversation, counselling clarifies what the concern is, which deadlines apply and which documents are missing. It often becomes clear that several questions are connected, for example when a part-time job affects BAföG or health insurance. Counselling can then refer you to the responsible body or plan the next steps with you. This creates no entitlement to a particular solution, but you leave with a clear list. Students should also ask how the two services coordinate their referrals.
What to do now
- Find social counselling and its opening hours on your Studierendenwerk website.
- Write down briefly which question or problem is most pressing.
- Book an appointment and bring the documents related to the topic.
- Ask which body to contact for questions that social counselling cannot decide.
Related articles
- Student mental health: where to find help
- Hardship and emergency funds of the Studierendenwerke
- Psychological counselling at university
- Counselling services outside the university
- Loneliness in the first semesters
Sources: Social counselling, Studierendenwerk Mannheim (leaflet, 2024, German); Social counselling of the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen (document, January 2019, German); Counselling for students with children, studierendenwerke.de (retrieved November 2026, German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
