Free mensa meals for students in need to use in the canteens and cafeterias

Important information regarding the application deadline for a free meal voucher for 2025

Applications for free meals for the year 2025 must be submitted by 12:00 noon on 12 December.
Unfortunately, applications received after this deadline cannot be considered.
Information on applying for 2026 will be published here at the beginning of the year.

The free mensa meals are vouchers for the canteens and cafeterias of the Studierendenwerk Bremen. They may only be granted to students who are enrolled at one of the four universities listed below.

• University of Bremen
• University of Applied Sciences Bremen
• University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven
• University of Arts (HfK) Bremen

A cash allowance of €100 is granted. This amount will be loaded onto the Mensacard. Cash payment is excluded. To ensure that as many students in need as possible benefit from the free table, it is only granted once per semester and within the limits of available funds. Free tables are voluntary services of the Studierendenwerk Bremen, therefore there is no legal entitlement. Free tables are only granted to students who, through no fault of their own, are in considerable financial need and are therefore prevented from completing their studies properly. A committee made up of representatives of the Studierendenwerk decides on the allocation of free tables.

Procedure for awarding contracts:

• Advice will only be given on the allocation of a free mensa meals if a written application has been submitted that provides exhaustive information on the financial hardship of the applicant.
• The application for free meals must be made in writing and sent to the Social Counselling Office of the Studierendenwerk Bremen. By post to:
  Studierendenwerk Bremen
  Sozialberatung wg. Freitischantrag
  Bibliothekstraße 7
  28359 Bremen
  Digital: The application and supporting documents can be submitted digitally via our secure online counselling platform. Registration is required for this.

• At the time of application, there must be no leave of absence from studies for the application period.
• Recipients of BAföG funding or full scholarships are not entitled to free tables unless they can prove that they are in an exceptional financial emergency despite receiving funding.
• The following documents must be enclosed with the application:
  • fully completed application for the granting of free tables (according to the attachment),
  • current certificate of enrolment,
  • bank account statements of one month retrospectively, i.e. the last four weeks. Unfortunately, screenshots of account transactions cannot be taken into account.

Important note: Please fill in the attached application form completely and truthfully and enclose the supporting documents required for processing. Missing documents will result in the application not being forwarded to the committee for a decision. The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing.