This, and you get up to 760 EUR (~1100 USD) non-refundable subsidy each month if you stay below a certain time threshold (~4-6 years, depending on major, 1.5 years for the PhD) with progressing in your studies. You only get this if you "need" it, but with a typical low to average income family, you do most certainly get it.
You also get the same amounts if you start studying after you already worked four or more years long.
And with those monthly subsidies in effect, you can still work up to a yearly gross (but not taxed) income of 8000EUR.
Student health insurance with accidents and dental (the standard austrian public insurance covering) is included, of course. (We really don't usually worry about insurance coverage in any kind of employment or unemployment, since it's always compulsory* and automatically deducted or paid for you)
In Austria currently people argue very very emotionally about bi-yearly (!!) tuition fees in the amounts of 360.- EUR each which would be waived anyway if the student can't afford it (i.e. is on subsidy already).
Makes me wonder.
* compulsory also means its very cheap, ~180 EUR is the maximum rate (depends on your income) you pay if you are employed. Freelancers pay more.
