Financial and housing information. . . .

• Tuition: 3,300 Euro per Semester for the Fall and Spring semester. The fee for the Sommersemester option is 500 Euro.
• Program Fee: 3,200 Euro per semester when housing in a single-occupancy, fully furnished studio apartment is selected; 3,500 Euro per semester when a homestay (incl. breakfast and dinner) is selected. Students who enroll in the Sommersemester do not pay a Program Fee; they are responsible to cover their own expenses for housing, food, and course materials. Participants opting for apartment housing are required to submit credit card information as security deposit. The apartments do not feature telephone or internet connections; a cost-effective wireless internet connection can be purchased directly by each participant at his/her own expense at a nearby office/shop, using information provided by the program. Most participants buy a cell phone once they are in Berlin. The FU-BEST program assumes no responsibility for telephone or internet connections in the apartments.
• Please note the following information concerning housing and keep it in mind when making your selection on the application form: Switching from a homestay to an apartment or from an apartment to a homestay would only be possible under rather exceptional circumstances, and after very close review of your situation. It is thus better not to count on this option. Switching from one homestay setting to another homestay may be somewhat more easily accomplished, but only when it is deemed absolutely necessary on-site.
• If you wish to opt out of the two housing choices provided through the program, you may do so, but please note the following. Clearly mark the fact that you are “opting out” on the housing page of the application form. After the application deadline has passed (October 15 or May 1, depending on the semester for which you are applying), it is no longer possible to reverse your “opting out”: in other words, you have then firmly committed yourself to setting up your own housing in Berlin, with the program exempt from any responsibility in this regard. If you wish to use the internet in your search for independent housing, you may wish to consider the following websites: www.berlin-sofort.de, www.city-wohnen.de, www.city-mitwohnzentrale.com, www.studenten-wg.de/Berlin, and www.berlin.studenten-wohnung.de. If you pursue independent housing, the Program Fee on your FU-BEST invoice will be adjusted downward accordingly.
• Aside from housing, the Program Fee includes: two program dinners (Welcome and Farewell), Orientation Days, several concerts/operas/museum visits, a monthly public transportation pass, one week-long off-site excursion, and course materials. Transportation to and from Berlin and other personal expenses are not included.
• The FU is a fully accredited institution, permitting full transfer of credits earned to participants' home institutions and, where possible, the use of students' home financial aid packages.
• FU-BEST does not offer financial aid. Students are encouraged to explore aid options through DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service (www.daad.org). Also, all applicants are strongly advised to check out the financial aid oriented websites listed under “Links - General financial aid information” on this website.