FAQ for Erasmus+ students currently located in a host country (Corona FAQ)
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01. Can I cancel my stay?
Yes. If you feel unsafe or if your host university is closing, you are free to come back to Germany.
For Erasmus students, the Force Majeure regulation applies (see below).
Overseas exchange students / non-Erasmus students, may cancel their stay after consulting their academic advisor.
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02. Do I have to cancel my stay?
There are currently no plans to force a cancellation of your stay. Should this change, we will inform you immediately.
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03. I haven't left the country yet, but would like to start studying abroad soon. Should I leave or not?
We want to point out that anyone who has not yet started their semester abroad should check the RKI list beforehand to see whether the host country is listed as a risk area: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete_neu.html
Since October 1, 2020, the country-specific travel and safety information from the Foreign Office are in effect again: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/covid-19/2296762
We expressly advise against traveling to risk areas. Please contact the IO.
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04. Can I continue studying at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences while using the online services of my host university?
If you continue attending online courses at your host university after your return, you can simultaneously participate the regular semester at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. If you want to apply for credit recognition from two universities (HS-Anhalt and host university), please consult your study coordinator before sending your documents to the examination office of your department.
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05. I am interested in a study stay abroad in a current COVID19 region.
Due to the constantly changing situation, it is currently not clear whether this can be carried out abroad in the 2021 summer semester or not. It is currently possible to apply for a stay abroad in the coming year. (2021) Since many students who have already been selected for the winter term 2020/21 had to postpone their stay to spring term 2021, there may be fewer places available.
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06. My host university is closed and I don't know if and when teaching will start/continue. Do I have to go back home?
Unless you are explicitly requested to leave by the host university, it is up to you to decide whether you return or stay. If you want to continue the exchange semester, we assume that you adhere to the local regulations and recommendations and take preventive health protection measures.
Regarding your Erasmus scholarship, there are regulations for returning early, including a possible assumption of costs (instead of the pro-rata scholarship amount). So please keep all receipts/invoices, even if we are currently unable to make a binding commitment.
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07. If I return home now, can I continue my Erasmus stay once the situation there has eased?
Since the current situation has been classified by the DAAD as a 'force majeure', shortened or resumed stays are also permitted (even if the usually required minimum duration stay of 3 months is not reached).
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08. How do I get the required Erasmus documents when the host university is closed (e.g. transcript and letter of confirmation)?
Please contact the host university by e-mail, telephone or other known contact options and ask for the required documents to be sent by e-mail. All Erasmus documents can be submitted online via email to Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
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09. I will not be able to submit my Erasmus documents on time. Who should I inform at HS-Anhalt?
Please inform the International Office by e-mail via erasmus(at)hs-anhalt.de about which documents will probably be submitted with a delay. Since this is not your fault, of course it has no effect on your scholarship.
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10. Am I obliged to be tested for Corona after my return?
If you want to cancel your stay and return to Germany, you should contact the responsible health department. Before entering Germany, please take note the information provided here: https://www.hs-anhalt.de/en/university/aktuelles/hinweise-zum-coronavirus-sars-cov-2/information-on-coronavirus-for-international-students.html
- 11. Am I obliged to stay at home after returning from my study stay abroad??
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12. What happens if I cannot achieve the ECTS stipulated in the Learning Agreement because courses were canceled or shortened? Can I still get recognition for those courses?
The host university will presumably also confirm the regular ECTS number in the transcript for online lectures, so course recognition should be possible. Please contact your academic advisor (study coordinator) or the examination office of your department.
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13. Do I have to refund my Erasmus grant or parts of it if I return home early?
According to the DAAD, returning students are allowed to receive the scholarship for the actual duration of stay (to the exact day according to the respective country group), even if the stay was significantly shorter than the regular minimum duration of 3 months. The termination is then considered to be a result of force majeure, so you only have to refund your scholarship for the time that you have not spent abroad. Alternatively, the costs actually incurred (e.g. for travel and rent) can be paid instead of the pro rata scholarship. The maximum amount for this is the total amount of the scholarship originally stated in the Grant Agreement. A combination of both (reimbursement of costs and a proportionate scholarship) is not possible.
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14. I had a lot of additional costs (eg. more expensive flight costs for the return trip, rent). Will this be reimbursed by Anhalt University of Applied Sciences?
The costs can be reimbursed up to the amount of the originally calculated scholarship if you do not want to use the partial / shortened scholarship as an alternative (see above).
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15. Can I catch up on the interrupted stay in another / the following semester?
This is an option in the Erasmus program; but it should of course be discussed with your academic advisor. You may have to go through the application process at the host University again and we have to check, whether the partner universities can accept a higher number of students or not.
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16. I have returned home from my Erasmus stay, but I would like to continue and return to the host country when the situation has normalized. Can my Erasmus grant then continue?
Yes, that is possible. The scholarship is then calculated on a "per day basis" (all days, that you have actually spent in the host country). Alternatively, you can make use of the option of getting a refund for the costs that have actually incurred (ticket, rent, etc.) A reimbursed is possible up to a maximum of the total amount of the scholarship stated in the Grant Agreement.
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17. Can I continue studying at HS-Anhalt while using the online services of my host university?
If you continue attending online courses at your host university after your return, you can also participate in the regular semester of HS-Anhalt. To what extent it is possible to have achievements from two universities (HS-Anhalt and guest university) credited in one and the same semester, you should clarify with the examination office of your department (the DAAD urged all universities to proceed generously here) . You can definitely continue to receive the Erasmus grant for this 'online phase'. In this case, make sure that the end of the online offer is entered as the closing date in the 'Letter of Confirmation' from the host university.
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18. I have returned home from my Erasmus stay, but can use the host university's online services from here. Can the scholarship then continue to be paid for the time in Germany?
Continuing mobility using online courses or home office is fully eligible, provided that the courses are offered by the institution in the host country and contribute to the achievement of the learning objectives as specified in the learning agreement. It is irrelevant whether the students attend or carry out the online courses or the home office in the host country or in their home country.
general information on Erasmus+
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00. Blended Mobility (Coronavirus Pandemic)
The European Commission currently allows to begin virtual or blended mobilities. This ensures the continuation of the Erasmus+ program, despite the physical limitations currently posed by the corona pandemic.
If the host University allows, we can fund a virtual mobility in the sense of a "blended mobility" approach: a phase of virtual mobility at a host institution abroad should be followed by physical mobility abroad with the required minimum duration. However, if there are still restrictions due to the corona pandemic, the physical mobility phase can be shortened or deleted and replaced by an extension of the virtual mobility phase. Interruption days between the virtual and physical mobility phases are also permitted.
As long as you follow the virtual activities from your home country, you will not receive any financial grants. However, once the physical mobility phase begins, you are entitled to receive the regular grant for the duration of the physical mobility. -
00. ERASMUS+ consultation via SKYPE
Since personal consultation at the International Office is currently not possible due to the coronavirus pandemic, I am asking you to use the SKYPE office hours instead. Please get in touch, if you have any questions about studying abroad, Erasmus+ funding, application deadlines and Erasmus+ Learning Agreements:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.You can reach Mr. Lippold with Skype via:christian.lippold_4 (live: christian.lippold_4)
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01. What is Erasmus+ ?
The ERASMUS+ program is a funding program of the European Union.
The ERASMUS+ exchange opportunities of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences are based on numerous bilateral, study-specific exchange agreements with European universities
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02. Erasmus+ for students with disabilities
A study stay abroad is usually a major challenge for all young people. This applies even more to people with disabilities. Erasmus+ takes an integrative approach and would like to encourage as many students as possible to stay abroad - regardless of their personal situation. Since 2019, students with disabilities (from a degree of disability [GdB] of 50) have been able to apply for preparatory travel grants for mobility arrangements or internships that have already been agreed.
Requirements:
- You are enrolled at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
- The receiving university is an ECHE holder and participates in the Erasmus+ program.
- The university has confirmed giving you a grant for an Erasmus+ stay in the destination country specified in the application.
- Proof of the degree of disability (ID card for severely disabled persons) has to be submitted to HS Anhalt International Office.
Further information on the application procedure, on the implementation of the preparatory trip and your obligations after the study stay abroad can be obtained from erasmus(at)hs-anhalt.de
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03. Erasmus+ benefits at a glance:
The ERASMUS + program offers the following services:
- no tuition fees at the host university
- support with a grant of approx. € 330-450 per month of study abroad.
- recognition of academic achievements
- support for accommodation, health insurance and visa related questions, as well as arranging contact persons on site
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04. How much funding can you receive from Erasmus?
ERASMUS+ supports mobilities with so called program countries and partner countries. For all countries, scholarships have a fixed monthly rate.
For the program countries, the amount of the monthly scholarship is based on 3 different country groups:
- Group 1: 450 € per month (Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom) - from 08/2022: 600 EUR (no UK!)
- Group 2: 390 € per month (Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus) - from 08/2022: 540 EUR
- Group 3: 330 € per month (Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Macedonia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Hungary) - from 08/2022: 490 EUR)
Currently Hochschule Anhalt has active projects with the following partner countries in Erasmus+ key action 107 (Mobility with Partner Countries):
Albania, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Ukraine. Students who want to study abroad in these countries will receive an individual support of 700€ per month and a distance-related travel support (between 275€ and € 820€)
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05. ERASMUS+ special funding and social top-up
Inclusion support and equal opportunities are central concerns of the Erasmus+ programme. Therefore, students and university employees with a proven degree of disability (GdB 50) can apply for special funds. ("inclusion support", formerly known as "special needs support" - "real costs required for participants with physical, mental or health related conditions to allow their participation in the mobility as well as in prepraratory visits and for accompanying persons.") Please contact the Internation Office for more information.
The Top Up for students with „fewer opportunities“ (250 € / Month) is applicable for:
• parents/students with children
• participants with a GdB from 20
• students with chronic illnessIn the case of chronic illness, a medical certificate is required as proof of entitlement to this top-up. You can apply for the top-up with the online application for the student exchange. The 'social top-up' is added to the funding rate of the respective country group.
More information on: Supporting students with children
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06. How long will Erasmus+ be paid?
If you want to study at an ERASMUS + partner university, the funding will be paid between 3 to 12 months.
Furthermore, repeated additional funding is possible for an additional study cycle (Bachelor / Master).
Usually the duration for a semester abroad is 4-5 months.
Each month is calculated with 30 days. The duration of stay has to be at least 90 days and must not exceed 360 days.
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07. Am I eligible for Erasmus+ ?
To receive the grant, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are enrolled in one of the study programs of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
- You have completed at least the first, or even better the second, academic year of your degree program (Master students are allowed to study abroad with ERASMUS+ during their 2nd or 3rd semester)
No separate application is required for ERASMUS + funding. You apply for a study abroad in our application portal.
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08. What documents do I need?
Before the stay abroad 2 documents are needed:
- The Grant Agreement covers your financial support. After successful application, you will receive it for an exchange with a European partner.
- The Learning Agreement for the recognition of course credits
Upon arrival at the partner University you have to submit:
- The Arrival Attestation, which confirms your arrival
- changes to your original Learning Agreement have to be made within the first 5 weeks after your arrival. Please use page 4 of your Learning Agreement for that purpose!
After completing your studies abroad, you have to submit:
- The Confirmation of Attendance, which determines the exact duration of your eligibility period
- The Transcript of Records, which provides information about the study Achievements such as ECTS and grades. The transcript is usually issued within 5 weeks after the examination period of your host University.
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09. Deadlines
Please use our online application tool to apply for your study stay abroad:
- February 28th for the upcoming winter semester in the same year
- August 31st for the summer semester next year
- 10. Checklist