Human-Computer Interaction Seminar Series: Ali Cem Kaynak, "Usability Problems in the digital application process for subsidized student loans in Germany."

Event Type

Seminar/Symposium

Sponsor

Siebel School of Computing and Data Science Interactive Computing Research Area

Location

1304 Siebel Center

Date

Oct 15, 2025   3:30 pm  

Speaker

Ali Cem Kaynak

Contact

Allison Mette

E-Mail

agk@illinois.edu

Phone

217-300-0256

Views

2

Originating Calendar

Siebel School Speakers Calendar

Abstract: For university students from low-income families in Germany, a financial support system is very much needed. While tuition for public universities is free, students still have costs of living close to 1,000$/month. Students from low-income families qualify for subsidized student loans (called “Bafög”), which can cover these costs. These loans are highly subsidized – students only have to pay back half of what they borrowed, and lifetime repayments are capped just under 12,000$ total. To apply for these loans, an online system (“Bafög digital”) can be used; in addition, there is an online “calculator” that is supposed to predict whether students qualify, and how much they can borrow per month. 

I’ll present preliminary results from my qualitative interview study that investigates usability challenges with estimating and applying for German student loans. I make usability recommendations, and conclude that usability issues with subsidized student loans impede social mobility, inclusion, and equity.

Bio: Ali Cem Kaynak is a Master student in Computer Science at the University of Paderborn, Germany, currently spending an exchange semester at the University of Oklahoma. He recently completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, where his thesis examined usability problems in the digital application process for subsidized student loans in Germany. During his exchange semester, he has been invited by his Professor Yasemin Acar to present his work at several universities in the US, including Barnard College with Lucy Simko in New York City and the University of Maryland with Michelle Mazurek in Maryland.