The University of Freiburg offers financial help for students that are starting their studies. The program was developed in cooperation with the Freiburg-Schwarzwald Student Union. The Initial Student Aid is a scholarship for students who have special problems with financing their studies at the beginning due to personal, biographical or health-related hurdles. It is intended to serve as a bridge until long-term student financing takes effect.

• The "Studienstartstipendium" (Initial Student Aid) offers students a short-term and limited financial aid at the start of their studies of a maximum of 400 € per month.
• The financial aid is also accompanied by advice on how to apply for permanent financial aid and bridges the period until it is granted and paid out.
• The maximum duration is usually one semester.

The initial student aid is largely financed by funds from the Maria Ladenburger Foundation. The Association of Friends of the University of Freiburg e.V. also supports the study start scholarship.