Detailed information about the semester fee and re enrollment on the RWTH website

I always thought that the university system in Germany is for free. Why do I have to pay a 225,63€ semester fee?

The money that you pay for the semester fee is not used by the university itself. The biggest part of you semester fee are the 148,42€ paid for the NRW-Ticket, which allows you to use the public transport networks in the entire state NRW. A part of 68€ of your fee is a social contribution that is used by the student services (Studentenwerk) to support housing, child care and the mensa. The remaining 9,21€ are given to the student union, university sports center, university radio and some other student organizations.

Ok, I got it. When and how do I pay the semester fee?

You have to pay the semester fee until the start of the new semester. The university will send you a mail once it is possible to make the payment and another mail one week before the deadline.

Log on to Campus Office and choose the option “Rückmelden und Bezahlen” at the bottom of the menu bar. Transfer the money from your account using the identification number published in Campus Office.