As summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020/21, summer semester 2021, and winter semester 2021/22 will not be counted toward the standard time to degree, does this mean that the maximum funding period for the Deutschlandstipendium will be extended?
The Berlin Senate has stipulated that summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020/21, summer semester 2021, and winter semester 2021/22 will not be counted toward the standard time to degree. This will not have negative consequences regarding compliance with the standard time to degree for students who were unable to attend all courses and complete all examinations (see press release from the Senate Chancellery – Higher Education and Research, State Conference of the Rectors and Presidents of the Higher Education Institutions in Berlin (LKRP), of April 3, 2020, press release from the Senate Chancellery - Higher Education and Research, LKRP, of December 17, 2020, press release from the Senate Chancellery - Higher Education and Research, LKRP, of Apri 14, 2021, and press release of the Senate Department for Higher Education and Research, Health, Long-Termin Care and Gender Equality, of January 13, 2022).
In terms of the Deutschlandstipendium, this means that because the summer semester 2020, the winter semester 2020/21, the summer semester 2021, and the winter semester 2021/22 do not count officially toward the standard time to degree, the standard time to degree for your program has been extended. As a result, the maximum funding period, which is linked to the standard time to degree, will also be extended by four semesters.
For example, if the maximum funding period for a degree program that had a standard time to degree of six semesters used to be a maximum of six semesters, then the maximum funding period will now be extended to ten semesters.
If you started a degree program in winter semester 2020/21, your standard time to degree is extended by three semesters.
Please also refer to the "Individualized period of study due to the COVID-19 pandemic" which you can download from the Self-Services of the Student Records and Registration Office.
The requirements for continued funding remain that your academic performance warrants further funding (see performance review) and on the condition that private funding for the scholarship is still available.