European Social Fund child care support

Who
Within the framework of the European Social Fund (ESF) a so-called child care support ("Kinderbetreuungskostenzuschuss") can be granted.
This subsidy is meant for students in the final phase of their studies, who are eligible for social support and who have to care for children of pre-school-age.

Conditions:
• Social eligibility means eligible either for Studienbeihilfe or Studienabschluss-Stipendium, or living in an independent household, and the income of the partner does not exceed a certain limit.
• Resigning employment for the duration of support 
• Age limit of 38 years
• No completed course of studies

When
The support can be applied for if you are in the final phase of your studies, and you have completed your studies except for the thesis and exams in required or elective subjects amounting to a maximum of 10 credit hours (or two qualifying exams). The subject of the thesis has to be fixed already. If no thesis has to be written, exams amounting to a maximum of 20 credit hours (or four qualifying exams) may be missing. Students at polytechnics or academies have to be in the two last terms of their courses. 
The monthly subsidy per child will be paid for the time needed until finishing the studies, however for a maximum of 18 months.

How much
The ESF subsidy amounts to a maximum of 150 Euros per month per child.

Where
The application for child care support has to be filed with the responsible grants agency. Payment will be made ex post on proof of costs.

More information:
Frauenratgeberin
Under the keyword "Studium", the women’s counsel of the Federal Chancellery offers information on the ESF subsidy amongst others.

Studienbeihilfenbehörde (grants agency)
There, you will get information on applications for student grants (Studienbeihilfe), and you can download forms; there is a separate page on child care support