The semester fee is used for the student body and student services in accordance with regulations. It is due at the beginning of each semester.
Since summer semester 2007, the academic funding law (HmbGVBI No. 32, p. 376) has required all students to pay tuition fees, as well as the semester fee, to help finance their studies.
To finance your education, you can look into the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (federal financial aid), scholarships and related sources of funding.