Dear students,

Some time ago you decided to study in Münster. At least one of your subjects is Catholic theology. We hope that you enjoy your studies and that it will get you further personally and in terms of your career.

Now it is indeed often more difficult for foreign students to finance their studies than for their German fellow students. Often it is easier for German applicants to get one of the jobs that are too rare anyway, and many of you have to contend with the limitations on work permit. This situation can sometimes cause
considerable problems. If you have not already experienced this yourself, you will at least know these problems from some of your friends.

In order to be able to offer quick and simple help in such cases, professors and students of the Faculty of Catholic Theology founded an aid organization some years ago: the "Hilfsfonds für ausländische Studierende". This organization is privately financed by membership subscription and donations. During the
last years we could often offer effective financial assistance. Our funds are not sufficient for regular scholarships. However, we can and do support students with financial problems in unique and short-term situations. Normally our economic aid does not consist of loans, but is an allowance that students do not
have to pay back. Our guidelines and statutes resemble those of the "Verein zur Förderung ausländischer Studierender" that was founded in summer 1997 and that you know presumably. However, our economic aid is available exclusively for students of Catholic theology.

With this letter we want to encourage you to ask for our assistance if you are in a financially difficult situations. Please, draw also your fellow students’ attention to this possibility of economic support.

We wish you successful studies and a good time in Münster!

With kind regards
Ludger Hiepel, Judith Urselmann und Lea Quaing