START Saar

The START program
Launched in 2002 by the non-profit Hertie Foundation, START has been built up in 14 German states at this point and involves around 90 cooperation partners. Beside Saarland and Hesse, START is now operating in Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westfalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia.

In concert with the START Foundation, the ASKO EUROPA-STIFTUNG introduced the scholarship program in Saarland in 2006. Since the school year 2008/2009, START scholarship holders also hail from Vienna, Austria. The ASKO EUROPA-STIFTUNG will participate in this program with a scholarship as well.

Objective and scope
START Saar supports the integration of the children of migrants, creates better conditions for them for a potential academic career and thus opens up the way for jobs on an executive level. First, the scholarship holders receive a monthly grant of 100 euros a year as well as a computer with an Internet connection. Moreover, they receive assistance by means of consultation offerings when planning their schooling or course of studies, by educational seminars as well as various field trips. If the young people are successful, the scholarship can be extended until they conclude with a higher educational achievement.

Who can apply?
All pupils in grades 8 through grade 13 with a migrant background plus a Saarland residence may submit their application. Further prerequisites are financial need, social commitment and a good to very good performance at school.