Financing your studies
Social services
Point jeunes - Hospice Général
Point jeunes is the service to turn to if you are aged between 18 and 25 (including if you live in France) and need:
- social advice and information
- debt reduction (for 18-30 year olds living in Geneva)
Office hours: 9.00-12.00 / 13.00-17.00 Monday to Friday, closed on Thursday mornings. Walk-in on Thursdays from 13:00 to 16:00.
Social worker - University of Geneva
The UNIGE social worker is your contact if:
- you are a victim of violence, abuse, harassment or discrimination
- you have questions about reducing your debt (for over-30s living in Geneva)
- you have questions about pregnancy
- you have an accommodation problem
- you need Caritas cards (discounts on cultural and sporting activities) and/or Colis du Coeur (food parcels)
- you have children (even if you are under 25)
- you need social advice and information
By appointment only.
More information below.
Our social worker helps students manage their social problems and understand the financial constraints of their university careers. She provides you with the right tools so that you can complete your course in the best possible living conditions. She determines the best way to help you, and supports you until you reach your goal at the University of Geneva and the HES-SO Geneva.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The services are aimed at students from UNIGE and HES-SO Geneva.
WHY?
Our social worker will help you:
- Integrate and adapt to student life;
- Identify your specific financial problems;
- Sort out your documents;
- Understand how health, social and other insurances work in Geneva;
- Assert your rights;
- Complete forms and applications for cantonal financial aid;
- Evaluate your debt situation and consider debt reduction measures;
- Find emergency housing;
- Obtain Caritas cards (discounts on cultural and sporting activities) and certificates for the Colis du Cœur (food parcels).
If your request concerns financial aid, please contact the relevant department directly.
HOW?
Conditions and how to make an appointment:
- All the social services we offer are free of charge;
- Social interviews are available in French, English or Spanish;
- Every member of our staff is bound by the rules of ethics, deontology and confidentiality to which the health and social professions are subject. All requests are therefore treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect;
- If you would like to make an appointment with our social worker for advice, you will need to fill in a form beforehand and send her certain documents (to be uploaded via our system). To do so, please click on the button below and select the type of request:
Make an appointment by e-mail
Nathalie Sandoz
Social worker
Nathalie is a social worker. She is in charge of welcoming students applying for social assistance. She also manages various projects aimed at improving student support services.
A graduate of the HETS (Haute école de travail social) in Geneva since 2005, Nathalie worked for Hospice général for 8 years, then for ProSenectute in Geneva for another 8 years. She joined the Pôle Santé Social in 2014, attracted by the prospect of working with the UNIGE's diverse student population from all walks of life. In 2017, Nathalie obtained her Practitioner Trainer Certificate, enabling her in turn to train social workers and social assistants. Her broad experience in the social field and her in-depth knowledge of Geneva's social network make her a major asset in supporting students.
Since 2021, she has been in charge of the UNIGE Social services.
Languages: French, English, Spanish.
Uni Dufour, office 143