How often and for how long can my child come home?
The long vacations in which your child can come home are:
Summer Break: early May to mid-August
Winter Break: middle of December to mid-January
Overall, parents will have their child home for about 4 months a year which most likely means more time together than if he were studying in a distant city in Germany.
In addition, parents are able to visit their child at any time or in particular during the following holidays:
A week in the Term-break in October
A week in March (Spring Break)
What happens if the child does not like the university?
In all cases, we ensure that before leaving, your child receives an impression of the coach and the trainers and receives an understanding of more than just athletics. In many cases, universities have also paid a visit to the athletes in the U.S. and have presented in person in Germany. Should it happen that that is not the case for their daughter or their son, we guarantee that they are free to seek a new university. Your child can also terminate the study at any time for personal reasons and return to Germany. The contract is binding for the university only.
What happens if my child is in the to wrong team / university?
Because of our strong presence in the U.S., we know most coaches in person and have already inspected the universities and the sports facilities. Thus we can ensure that your child is well catered for both athletically and academically, well funded, but definitely not overwhelmed.
We particularly work with universities that can prove they have had many satisfied international students.
What happens when an injury occurs? Is there any professional medical help?
Unfortunately injuries are part of the life of a top athlete, but can be largely prevented with good medical care or at least properly treated. The research in the field of sports medicine in the U.S. is as good as in any other country. Since the universities have very good financial resources, they can provide a number of physiotherapists and doctors who are available to the athletes every day. Finally, it makes no sense economically to invest so much money in the athletes if they were not well looked after in case of injuries.
Will my child in the U.S. continue to be eligible for child benefit?
For the child benefit office, the residence of the students is crucial. If spending time abroad not exceeding one year, entitlement will remain as if in Germany. Prerequisite: while studying abroad an apartment or a room in the house of the parents should remain in Germany at the student’s disposal. For stays of longer periods abroad, the student must spend at least five months during each year during the holidays at his apartment or in the house of the parents. Since the semesters are shorter in the U.S., the semester breaks account for more than 5 months (about 3.5 months from early May to mid August); the minimum length of stay is reduced accordingly.
What are the costs to us that are not covered by the scholarship?
The university does as much as possible to cover the costs. In the case of the competition authority of their college sports there are, however, some conditions. So it is not the responsibility of the University to pay for flights to and from the USA. Specifically, parents will pay for schoolbooks. However, in many universities in the United States there is the opportunity to buy them used and at the end of the semester to resell. Training camps and accommodation is paid for completely by the University Private activities such as cultural events, nightlife and museums must of course will be the student’s responsibility. But even here the euro-dollar exchange rate
remains good. Pocket money of approx.200 € (according to the amount of the Child Benefit, which will continue to be paid) is recommended.
What are the obligations for the athlete arising from such a scholarship?
The sportsman is obliged to engage in the respective sports and to represent the university in competitions. At the same time to participate to the training. There may be financial obligations or losses resulting in not attending training for months.
Is there doping at U.S. universities?
The NCAA conducts annually thousands of unannounced drug control testing. Results that would lead to a drug case would mean that the coach would be banned for life and suspension of the entire team. Since the trainers are employed full time as a rule, therefore, a case of drug use in the team would be absolutely life threatening for the coach. There are also at each university anti-drug leaders to prevent drug use.
If the airfare included in the scholarship?
The universities cover many costs, but it is not permitted by the NCAA to pay for flights. Universities, like other local travel costs, however, cover flights to and from competition sites. Accommodation usually is in very nice hotels since travel budgets generally are generous.
How do we pay the fee?
Scholar Book reviews the final fee; you may pay conveniently by bank transfer to our account. In the case of reimbursement by Scholarbook we will transfer the money back on to the same account. (See also: our services).
Is there an additional private health insurance in Germany to complete?
A foreign private insurance is recommended and is available from 30€ per month. Detailed information on available rates can be see here:
http://www.auslandsversicherung.de/auslandskrankenversicherung-studenten.html?p_id=P_45856d3b9c2d3k
Can my child benefit from the U.S. half-orphan’s pension?
Yes, this is possible. For this please periodically send the current registration certificate to the person in charge. The transfer of the pension can be paid into a German or an American account. To an American account, however, all transaction charges are from the German border at the expense of pensioner.