Due to the high number of applications, processing may be delayed. We ask for your understanding.
On this page you will get all information about the refund of the semester ticket. This means:
- What does refund mean?
- For what reasons can you have your semester ticket refunded? For what reasons not?
- When can you apply for a refund?
- How does the application process work?
If you want to apply for a refund of your semester ticket, please read this page carefully!
If you are a holder of free public transport tokens, you can get your information here: Refund for holders of free public transport tokens
The application period for the winter semester 2024 / -25 ends on October 28, 2024.
This is a so-called deadline. This means that once the deadline has passed, you no longer have the opportunity to apply for a refund for the corresponding semester. This also applies if you could actually get a refund. This means that the application must reach us on time and a postponement, extension or similar is no longer possible.
What does refund mean?
In case of a refund, you will receive the full amount for the semester ticket back. You can find out exactly how much this is on the information page about the semester ticket: Info about the semester ticket
In the course of this, however, you also lose the rights that go with it. This means, for example, that you have to buy tickets if you want to use public transport.
Reasons for refund
Under certain conditions, you can have your semester ticket (the amount allotted to finance the student use of public transport) refunded by the AStA. You find those conditions in the Hardship Regulations (in German).
- Study-related stay for at least three months outside the area of validity of the AStA semester ticket
- Semester of leave
- Enrollment at two universities / second-time studies (refund only at one university)
- For severely disabled students who are entitled to transportation according to the Ninth Book of the Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch) and can prove that they are in possession of the supplementary sheet to the severely disabled student ID and the corresponding token
The Autonomous Department for the Disabled and Chronically Ill is responsible for processing these applications. Further information can be found here: Refund for holders of tokens for free rides on local public transport (in German) -
For students who purchase the Hessen State Ticket and who can prove that they have not purchased the Germany Semester Ticket during the current semester
New ISSK students please note this: Specifics for new ISSK students
- Non-use
Non-use of the semester ticket in itself is not a reason for refund. It does not matter for what reasons you don't need use the ticket for or whether you live in the semester ticket area or not. - Stay abroad without study-related purpose
A stay abroad without study-related purpose does not constitute grounds for reimbursement.
Application for refund
Here we describe the best way to apply if you are submitting the application yourself.
Note the application periods. You can find them here: All reasons for refund with explanations. If you are submitting a request, the request must be received by us at AStA during this time period. IMPORTANT: It is not sufficient to fill out the form online within the application period. The application must be received by us in the AStA within this period! Therefore, it is also not sufficient to bring the application to the post office on the last day in the application period, because the application will not arrive in time that way. It is not the postmark that counts, but when the application is received by us in the AStA.
You also have the option of issuing a power of attorney to a person you trust so that they can submit the application on your behalf. This is useful, for example, if you are abroad. You can find more information here: Application by person of trust
Step 1: Make online application
The application for a refund of the semester ticket is generally processed via our refund website (see below). Please make sure that your information is correct. Once the application has been created, the information can no longer be changed.
New ISSK students please note this: Specifics for new ISSK students
You find the forms for semester ticket refund and subsidy here.
Please note: Some of the reasons for the application and numerous details (e.g. on the assessment limit for the grant) on the page linked above are out of date. In case of doubt, the current hardship regulations always apply. In addition, since there are only digital semester tickets, no semester ticket needs to be sent along with the application.
Step 2: Sign application, attach required documents
After filling out the online form, an application is created in PDF format. This PDF file will be sent to the email address you provided in the online form. Therefore, it is important that you provide a correct email address of yours!
You have to print this PDF file and sign it originally. A digital signature (e.g. on a tablet or copying a scanned signature) is not sufficient! Such applications we can not and will not handle.
Then please attach the necessary documents to the application. A list of all reasons for refund with all important information (explanations, reason to be selected, required documents, application periods) can be found here: All reasons for refund with explanations.
Note on the digital semester ticket:
As of summer semester 2022, the semester ticket has been offered digitally for all students. With the introduction of the Deutschland-Semesterticket in summer semester 2024, the paper ticket, which could be applied for as a replacement, was also phased out.
How does it work when applying for a refund or subsidy?
You normally have to send your original semester ticket when applying for a refund and a copy when applying for a subsidy. Of course, this is not possible with a digital semester ticket. It is therefore sufficient to submit your application as normal. Proof of a ticket is not required. The AStA will revise the refund website in the near future. Information on the general application process can be found here:
Step 3: Send application to us
Send the original signed application with the required documents to the Department of Transportation. The application must be received by physical mail or fax within the respective application period at the AStA. The day on which the application is received by physical mail or fax counts. This is a cut-off deadline, an extension of the deadline for submitting and receiving the application is not possible.
Your application is not considered submitted until it reaches us at AStA. It is mandatory that we have the original signed application form.It is not sufficient to fill out the form online within the application period. The application must be received by us in the application period in the AStA! It is therefore also not sufficient to bring the application on the last day in the application period to the post office, because the application will not arrive in time so. It is not the postmark that counts, but when the application is received by us in the AStA.
Sending the application by e-mail (e.g. as a scan) is not possible! We cannot and will not handle such applications.
AStA Universität Mainz
Arbeitsbereich für Verkehr
Staudingerweg 21
55128 Mainz
Fax number of the AStA secretary's office (see here)
The further communication takes place via e-mail.
Application by person of trust
If you are abroad before the refund period begins, you can authorize a trusted person to handle the refund.
To prepare your refund during your stay abroad we recommend the following steps:
Before departure and before 1 March / 1 September:
- Find a contact person to whom your semester documents will be sent together with your study ticket, be it roommates in your flat share, your parents or friends.
- Please also deposit the documents proving your study-related stay with this contact person, and preferably also a power of attorney that this person may sign the request. Proof of a study-related stay can be, for example, a certificate from the Erasmus office, etc.
These steps are necessary because we need an application for reimbursement signed in original. Alternatively, you could send the signed request form by (physical!) mail. However, this will probably cost a lot of postage and take a long time. As soon as we have processed your application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that your request has been reviewed and, if applicable, that some documents may be missing. Attached to this e-mail is a pdf file with a form for subsequent submission.
After you have received the e-mail with the submission form:
- Forward this e-mail to your contact person
- The contact person prints out the subsequent submission form
- The contact person sends us the printed supplementary request form by post with the receipts and the semester ticket that was deposited with them.
The subsequent submission form ensures that we can quickly match your semester ticket and vouchers with your request.
Specifics for new ISSK students
All information for new ISSK students can be found here: Refund for ISSK students.
Questions about the refund of the semester ticket
We have collected the most frequently asked questions about the refund and subsidy of the semester ticket and the answers to them here: FAQ about the refund and subsidy of the semester ticket.
If your question doesn't appear there, but you still have a general question about the refund, feel free to email us at verkehr@asta.uni-mainz.de.
We will not answer e-mail inquiries about the status of the application. See our explanation.
Information for holders of free public transport tokens
If you are a holder of free public transport tokens, you can get your information here: Refund for holders of free public transport tokens
Information on subsidy for the semester ticket
Information about the semester ticket subsidy can be found here: Information on subsidy for the semester ticket.
All reasons for refund with explanations
Here you will find all the reasons for refund with detailed explanations. In addition, you will find detailed information about which documents you need to submit your application, what the application deadlines are, etc. Please read it carefully for your application point. This makes it easier for us and for you.
You can find step-by-step instructions for the application process here: Application for refund.
| 1 | Reason for refund: | |
| Study-related stay for at least three months within a semester period outside the area of validity of the AStA semester ticket | ||
| This means, e.g., Erasmus semesters abroad, but also internships outside the semester ticket area. The prerequisite is that the respective stay is study-related. In the case of internships, we usually require a certificate from the Examination Office. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (overseas stay / PJ / doctorate / practical training) | |
| Required documents |
|
|
| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until April 28* Winter semester: September 01 until October 28* |
|
| These are preclusion periods ("Ausschlussfristen"). This means that any claim for refund will be forfeited if the application is not received by us in due time. It follows that the application must be received by us in time and that a deadline postponement, extension or similar is not possible. | ||
| * If the day on which the deadline expires falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the following working day shall be deemed to be the end of the deadline. (according to § 5 para. 1 last sentence of the Semester Ticket Hardship Regulations). | ||
| 2 | Reason for refund: | |
| Semester of leave | ||
| This means a semester of leave applied for and approved by Student Services. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (Semester of leave) | |
| Required documents |
|
|
| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until April 28* Winter semester: September 01 until October 28* |
|
| These are preclusion periods ("Ausschlussfristen"). This means that any claim for refund will be forfeited if the application is not received by us in due time. It follows that the application must be received by us in time and that a deadline postponement, extension or similar is not possible. | ||
| * If the day on which the deadline expires falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the following working day shall be deemed to be the end of the deadline. (according to § 5 para. 1 last sentence of the Semester Ticket Hardship Regulations). | ||
| 3 | Reason for refund: | |
| Illness | ||
| This means a semester of leave applied for and approved by Student Services. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 6 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (illness) | |
| Required documents |
|
|
| Application period | Summer semester: April 01 until September 30 Winter semester: October 01 until March 31 |
|
| These are preclusion periods ("Ausschlussfristen"). This means that any claim for refund will be forfeited if the application is not received by us in due time. It follows that the application must be received by us in time and that a deadline postponement, extension or similar is not possible. | ||
| Applications can be submitted throughout the semester. | ||
| 4 | Reason for refund: | |
| Enrollment at two universities in the AStA semester ticket area, insofar as the AStA semester ticket is the cheaper ticket or second-time studies | ||
| If the tickets have the same price, it can only be refunded at one (1) university. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (two universities in the tariff zone) | |
| Required documents |
|
|
| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until April 28* Winter semester: September 01 until October 28* |
|
| These are preclusion periods ("Ausschlussfristen"). This means that any claim for refund will be forfeited if the application is not received by us in due time. It follows that the application must be received by us in time and that a deadline postponement, extension or similar is not possible. | ||
| * If the day on which the deadline expires falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the following working day shall be deemed to be the end of the deadline. (according to § 5 para. 1 last sentence of the Semester Ticket Hardship Regulations). | ||
| 5 | Reason for refund: | |
| For severely disabled students who are entitled to transportation according to the Ninth Book of the Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch) and can prove that they are in possession of the supplementary sheet to the severely disabled student ID and the corresponding token | ||
| The Autonomous Department for the Disabled and Chronically Ill is responsible for processing these applications. Further information can be found here: Refund for holders of tokens for free rides on local public transport (in German) | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 2 | |
| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until April 28* Winter semester: September 01 until October 28* |
|
| These are preclusion periods ("Ausschlussfristen"). This means that any claim for refund will be forfeited if the application is not received by us in due time. It follows that the application must be received by us in time and that a deadline postponement, extension or similar is not possible. | ||
| * If the day on which the deadline expires falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the following working day shall be deemed to be the end of the deadline. (according to § 5 para. 1 last sentence of the Semester Ticket Hardship Regulations). | ||
| 6 | Reason for refund: | |
| Possession of the Hessen state ticket | ||
| This is an option for you if you have the Hessen state ticket and can prove that you have not purchased the Germany semester ticket during the current semester. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (semester leave) | |
| Required documents |
|
|
| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until April 14* (Please note that the application period is different!) Winter semester: September 01 until October 14* (Please note that the application period is different!) |
|
| These are preclusion periods ("Ausschlussfristen"). This means that any claim for refund will be forfeited if the application is not received by us in due time. It follows that the application must be received by us in time and that a deadline postponement, extension or similar is not possible. | ||
| * If the day on which the deadline expires falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the following working day shall be deemed to be the end of the deadline. (according to § 5 para. 1 last sentence of the Semester Ticket Hardship Regulations). | ||
| 7 | Reason for refund: | |
| ISSK: If you have been enrolled at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz for less than three months and are ISSK student | ||
| This one is exclusively for ISSK students in their first semester. All information for new ISSK students can be found here: Refund for ISSK students. | ||
| 8 | Reason for refund: | |
| Early exmatriculation | ||
| If you de-register by April 30 (summer semester) or October 31 (winter semester), you can request a refund of the entire semester fee from the Student Secretariat: Information on de-registration (Student Secretariat) | ||
