Free meals for students in financial need to be used in the dining halls and cafeterias

Application Deadline for 2026
Applications for free meals for the year 2026 will be accepted and processed until December 15, 2026 ( date of receipt). Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications submitted after this date.

Important Information Regarding the 2026 Cafeteria Voucher
Due to the opening hours of the cafeterias and snack bars, approved cafeteria vouchers for the year 2026 should be redeemed by December 23, 2026, at the latest. It will not be possible to add funds to the vouchers after this date; the vouchers will expire without replacement. The loaded balance can then continue to be used without restrictions.

Information on Free Meals for 2027
Information regarding the application process for a “Freitisch” application in 2027 will be published here at the beginning of the year.

Free meal vouchers are coupons for the dining halls and cafeterias operated by the Bremen Student Services Organization. They may only be issued to students who are enrolled at one of the four universities listed below.

• University of Bremen
• Bremen University of Applied Sciences
• Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences
• Bremen University of the Arts

A cash grant of €100 will be provided. This amount will be loaded onto the Mensacard. Cash payments are not permitted. To ensure that as many students in need as possible can benefit, free meals are awarded only once per semester and subject to available funds. Free meals are voluntary benefits provided by the Bremen Student Services Organization; therefore, there is no legal entitlement to them. Free meals are granted only to students who, through no fault of their own, have fallen into significant financial hardship and are consequently prevented from properly pursuing their studies. A committee composed of representatives from the Studierendenwerk decides on the allocation of these benefits.

Procurement Process:

• The application will be considered only if a written request is submitted that provides comprehensive information about the applicant’s financial hardship.
• Applications for a free meal must be submitted in writing and addressed to the Social Counseling Office of the Studierendenwerk Bremen. By mail to:
  Studierendenwerk Bremen
  Social Counseling Office (re: Free Meal Application)
  Bibliothekstraße 7
  28359 Bremen
  Digitally: The application and supporting documents can be submitted digitally via our secure online counselling platform. Registration is required to do so. You will also receive notification of the decision on your application or the cafeteria vouchers through this portal.

• Recipients of BAföG financial aid or full scholarships are not entitled to free meals unless they can prove that they are in an exceptional financial emergency despite receiving financial aid.
• At the time of application, the applicant must not be on a leave of absence from their studies for the application period.
• The following documents must be attached to the application:
  • a fully completed application for free meals (as per the attachment),
  • a current certificate of enrollment,
  • bank statements covering the past month, i.e., the last four weeks. Unfortunately, screenshots of transaction history from online banking cannot be accepted,
  • if you have multiple accounts, please include bank statements for all of them.

Important Note: Please complete the attached application form fully and truthfully, and include all supporting documents and materials necessary for processing. If any documents are missing, the application will not be forwarded to the committee for a decision. The decision will be communicated to the applicant in writing or digitally via the AYGO online platform.