Due to the high number of applications, processing may be delayed.
Informations for students, who only posess the digital semester ticket, can be found here.
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 2023/24 ends on November 07, 2023. Afterwards, for the winter semester, only applications due to illness or late enrollment are 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 (link in German), 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.
- Study-related stay for at least three months outside the area of validity of the AStA semester ticket
- Carrying out the practical year (PJ) of medical students outside the area of validity of the AStA semester ticket
- Semester of leave
- "Aufbaustudium" under the condition of § 2 para. 1
- Enrollment at two universities in the AStA semester ticket area, insofar as the AStA semester ticket is the cheaper ticket
- Carrying out a doctorate, provided that it does not require any attendance obligations at the university location and you live outside the semester ticket area
- Confirmation from the examination office that you have fulfilled the requirements for registering for the final examination, provided that the applying student does not have any attendance obligations at the university location and lives outside the semester ticket area
- Distance learning courses without compulsory attendance
- 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) - If, due to illness or disability, the use of transportation in the AStA semester ticket area was not possible for at least three months of the respective semester
- If you have been enrolled at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz for less than three months
- If you enroll at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz after the end of the refund period (May 07 for the summer semester, November 07 for the winter semester, cf. § 5 para. 1 of the Hardship Regulations) and meet the requirements according to § 2 para. 1 or 3
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. - "Digital semester"
The possibility of refunding the semester ticket due to the Corona crisis and the implementation of the "digital" semester does not exist (at this time). This is mainly due to the fact that the contracts with the transport associations do not take such a situation into account. Currently we are in contact with the associations; all changes will be published on our homepage! - "Landesticket" of the State of Hesse
Employees of the state of Hesse (e.g. substitutes at schools) receive a free public transport ticket that is valid throughout Hesse. This is not a reason for refund, because the non-use of the semester ticket is not a reason for refund (see above).
Application for refund
Here we describe the best way to apply if you are submitting the application yourself.
Please note the application deadlines. If you submit an application, the application must reach us at AStA within this 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
We ask medical students to note the following: Notes for medical students in their practical year (PJ).
New ISSK students please see this note: Specifics for new ISSK students.
Step-by-step guide
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.
Step 1: Make online application
The application for a refund of the semester ticket is always processed via an online form. You will find the link at the end of this step 1. 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.
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
New ISSK students please note this: Specifics for new ISSK students
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.
New ISSK students please note this: Specifics for new ISSK students
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.
Notes for medical students in their practical year (PJ)
In order to receive a refund due to the PJ, you must prove that you are not in the semester ticket area for at least 3 months. For this purpose, we need appropriate evidence showing where you will complete your PJ (or individual tertials), in addition to the application document.
If you are at the end of your PJ and therefore will be outside the Semesterticket area for less than 3 months, you are probably about to take your final exam. In this case, you can apply for a refund due to exemption from compulsory attendance. In addition to the application document, we need a certificate from the Universitätsmedizin stating that you have both fulfilled all requirements for the final exams and that you are no longer required to be present.
For this certificate please contact the study office for the practical year (PJ). You can find the contact details here: Studienbüro für das Praktische Jahr der Universitätsmedizin Mainz (in German).
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 | § 2 para. 1 item 1 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (overseas stay / PJ / doctorate / practical training) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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: | |
| Carrying out the practical year (PJ) of medical students outside the area of validity of the AStA semester ticket | ||
|
Please note the following: Notes for medical students in their practical year (PJ). It is important that at least 3 months of the semester take place outside the semester ticket area due to the PJ. This means: if you apply for refund for the winter semester (October 01 till March 31) you must be outside the ticket area for at least 3 months of this winter semester period due to the PJ. If this is not the case, because you are at the end of your PJ, refund reason 7 might fit. |
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| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 1 item 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (overseas stay / PJ / doctorate / practical training) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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: | |
| Semester of leave | ||
| This means a semester of leave applied for and approved by Student Services. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 1 item 3 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (Semester of leave) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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). | ||
| 4 | Reason for refund: | |
| "Aufbaustudium" under the condition of § 2 para. 1 | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 1 item 4 | |
| Application reason to be selected | ||
| Required documents |
|
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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: | |
| Enrollment at two universities in the AStA semester ticket area, insofar as the AStA semester ticket is the cheaper ticket | ||
| If the tickets have the same price, it can only be refunded at one (1) university. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 1 item 5 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (two universities in the tariff zone) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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: | |
| Carrying out a doctorate, provided that it does not require any attendance obligations at the university location and you live outside the semester ticket area | ||
| The prerequisite is that your place of residence or actual place of stay is outside the semester ticket area. You must prove this, e.g. with a certificate of registration or a copy of both sides of your Personalausweis. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 1 item 6 in combination with § 2 para. 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (overseas stay / PJ / doctorate / practical training) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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: | |
| Confirmation from the examination office that you have fulfilled the requirements for registering for the final examination, provided that the applying student does not have any attendance obligations at the university location and lives outside the semester ticket area | ||
| In any case, we need a confirmation from your examination office. This confirmation must state that you (a) meet the requirements for registering for the final examination and (b) do not have any attendance obligations at the university location. It is also a prerequisite that your place of residence or actual place of stay is outside the Semesterticket area. You must prove this, e.g. with a certificate of registration or a copy of both sides of your Personalausweis. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 1 item 7 in combination with § 2 para. 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (attendance requirement exemption) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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). | ||
| 8 | Reason for refund: | |
| Distance learning courses without compulsory attendance | ||
| The prerequisite is that your place of residence or actual place of stay is outside the semester ticket area. You must prove this, e.g. with a certificate of registration or a copy of both sides of your Personalausweis. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 1 item 8 in combination with § 2 para. 2 | |
| Application reason to be selected | ||
| Required documents |
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| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
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| 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). | ||
| 9 | 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 | § 2 para. 3 | |
| Application period | Summer semester: March 01 until May 07* Winter semester: September 01 until November 07* |
|
| 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). | ||
| 10 | Reason for refund: | |
| If, due to illness or disability, the use of transportation in the AStA semester ticket area was not possible for at least three months of the respective semester | ||
| For this purpose, we require a medical certificate stating that the use of public transport (in the semester ticket area) was or is not possible. This certificate must also state the period of time from when to when this statement applies. This can also be "until further notice", but we need time specifications in the certificate. | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2 para. 4 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (Illness) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | The application may be submitted at any time during the current semester. Please note that the application must also be received by us during the respective semester. | |
| Summer semester: April 01 until September 30 Winter semester: October 01 until March 31 |
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| 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. | ||
| 11 | Reason for refund: | |
| If you have been enrolled at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz for less than three months | ||
|
This means both students who are enrolled for less than three months in a semester due to late enrollment, but also students who complete their studies within the first three months of a semester and are exmatriculated. The enrollment or exmatriculation date on the university's certificate is decisive. In the case of exmatriculation within the first three months, however, we also refer to the information provided by the University of Mainz: Removal from the register of students New ISSK students can find their information here: All important information about the application process for new ISSK students. |
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| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 6 item 1 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (late registration) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | 30 days after enrollment/exmatriculation* | |
| 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). | ||
| 12 | Reason for refund: | |
| If you enroll at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz after the end of the refund period and fulfill the requirements according to § 2 paragraph 1 or 3 | ||
| This is possible for you if you were enrolled after the refund deadline (summer semester: May 07*, winter semester: November 07*) and (a) either one of the reasons 1 to 8 applies to you, or (b) if you are severely disabled and are entitled to transportation according to the Ninth Book of the German Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch) and can prove that you are in possession of the supplement to the severely disabled ID card and the corresponding token. In case (b) we refer you to this page: Refund for holders of tokens for free rides on local public transport (in German) | ||
| Hardship Regulations | § 2a para. 6 item 1 | |
| Application reason to be selected | refund (late registration) | |
| Required documents |
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| Application period | 45 days after enrollment/exmatriculation* | |
| 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). | ||
| ISSK | Reason for refund: | |
| If you have been enrolled at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz for less than three months and are ISSK student | ||
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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. |
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