The Studentenwerk Potsdam is not planning any fee increases for the time being. After both canteen prices and dormitory rents were raised in September 2022 due to sharp increases in purchasing and energy prices, the Studentenwerk fee will remain stable for the time being. Currently, students pay 50 euros per semester for Studentenwerk services. The fact that the fees remain constant is made possible by temporary additional support from the state of Brandenburg. Brandenburg's student unions were included in the "Brandenburg-Paket" approved at the end of January. Accordingly, up to 13.2 million euros can be claimed by both Brandenburg student unions for proven increased energy costs until the end of 2024. In addition, a further 13.4 million euros are available for investment measures that lead to permanent energy-saving measures.
"Students are particularly affected by the immense price increases of recent months. Their often small budgets cannot bear any further increases. I am all the more pleased that we can currently keep the student union fee stable. Actually, an increase was already planned for the winter semester 2023/24. Thanks to the Brandenburg package launched by the state, an increase in the fee from 50 to 75 euros has now been averted." Peter Heiß, Managing Director
The Studentenwerk Potsdam uses the student union fee to finance its many services. These services include lunch in the refectory, new construction and renovation of dormitories, support for student projects, childcare for students, and various counseling services ranging from job placement to psychosocial counseling. Other sources of funding include annual financial aid from the state of Brandenburg and the university's own income.
However, this does not mean that the issue of increasing fees is completely off the table. Peter Heiß explains: "The Studentenwerk Potsdam has not increased the solidarity contribution for ten years now. It is completely normal that this is adjusted with the time. In recent years, however, we have been able to manage our finances so well that this was not necessary. So an increase in the student union fee will come sooner or later, but at best at a time when the students budget is not as overburdened as it is currently the case."