diff --git a/application/config/mail.php b/application/config/mail.php
index 9d577720d..4f1baa85d 100644
--- a/application/config/mail.php
+++ b/application/config/mail.php
@@ -32,3 +32,18 @@ $config['validate'] = false; // If true then the email address will be validated
 
 // If enabled will be logged info about emails in Codeigniter error logs
 $config['enable_debug'] = false;
+
+// default sender
+$config['sancho_mail_default_sender'] = defined('SANCHO_MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER') ? SANCHO_MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER : '';
+
+// If to use images for custom mails
+$config['sancho_mail_use_images'] = defined('SANCHO_MAIL_USE_IMAGES') ? SANCHO_MAIL_USE_IMAGES : false;
+
+// image path for sancho mail, relativ to document root
+$config['sancho_mail_img_path'] = defined('SANCHO_MAIL_IMG_PATH') ? SANCHO_MAIL_IMG_PATH : '';
+
+// header image for custom mails
+$config['sancho_mail_header_img'] = defined('SANCHO_MAIL_HEADER_IMG') ? SANCHO_MAIL_HEADER_IMG : '';
+
+// footer image for custom mails
+$config['sancho_mail_footer_img'] = defined('SANCHO_MAIL_FOOTER_IMG') ? SANCHO_MAIL_FOOTER_IMG : '';
diff --git a/application/controllers/jobs/AnrechnungJob.php b/application/controllers/jobs/AnrechnungJob.php
index 5784830b6..52bf972e3 100644
--- a/application/controllers/jobs/AnrechnungJob.php
+++ b/application/controllers/jobs/AnrechnungJob.php
@@ -195,10 +195,10 @@ class AnrechnungJob extends JOB_Controller
 			$studiengang_bezeichnung = $this->StudiengangModel->load($studiengang_kz)->retval[0]->stg_bezeichnung;
 
 			// Get STGL mail address
-			$stglMailReceiver_arr = self::_getSTGLMailAddress($studiengang_kz);
+			$stglMailReceiver_arr = $this->_getSTGLMailAddress($studiengang_kz);
 
 			// Get HTML table with new Anrechnungen of that STG plus amount of them
-			list ($anrechnungen_amount, $anrechnungen_table) = self::_getSTGLMailDataTable($studiengang_kz, $anrechnungen);
+			list ($anrechnungen_amount, $anrechnungen_table) = $this->_getSTGLMailDataTable($studiengang_kz, $anrechnungen);
 
 			// Link to Antrag genehmigen dashboard
 			$url =
@@ -514,8 +514,6 @@ html;
 					'vorname' => $stgl->vorname
 				);
 			}
-
-			return $stglMailAdress_arr;
 		}
 		// If not available, get assistance mail address
 		else
@@ -524,12 +522,13 @@ html;
 
 			if (hasData($result))
 			{
-				return array(
-					$result->retval[0]->email,
-					''
+				$stglMailAdress_arr[]= array(
+					'to' => $result->retval[0]->email,
+					'vorname' => ''
 				);
 			}
 		}
+		return $stglMailAdress_arr;
 	}
 
 	// Build HTML table with yesterdays new Anrechnungen of the given STG
diff --git a/application/controllers/jobs/AntragJob.php b/application/controllers/jobs/AntragJob.php
index 46a31f3d6..11b950174 100644
--- a/application/controllers/jobs/AntragJob.php
+++ b/application/controllers/jobs/AntragJob.php
@@ -183,8 +183,8 @@ class AntragJob extends JOB_Controller
 				$data,
 				$to,
 				'Anträge - Aktion(en) erforderlich',
-				DEFAULT_SANCHO_HEADER_IMG,
-				DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG,
+				'',
+				'',
 				'',
 				$cc
 			))
diff --git a/application/controllers/jobs/ReihungstestJob.php b/application/controllers/jobs/ReihungstestJob.php
index b55287439..996354bb5 100644
--- a/application/controllers/jobs/ReihungstestJob.php
+++ b/application/controllers/jobs/ReihungstestJob.php
@@ -431,8 +431,8 @@ class ReihungstestJob extends JOB_Controller
 								$mailcontent_data_arr,
 								$applicant->email,
 								'Ihre Anmeldung zum Reihungstest - Reminder / Your registration for the placement test - Reminder',
-								DEFAULT_SANCHO_HEADER_IMG,
-								DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG,
+								'',
+								'',
 								$from,
 								'',
 								$bcc);
diff --git a/application/helpers/hlp_sancho_helper.php b/application/helpers/hlp_sancho_helper.php
index d599e40bc..9a32f5e1a 100644
--- a/application/helpers/hlp_sancho_helper.php
+++ b/application/helpers/hlp_sancho_helper.php
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@ if (! defined('BASEPATH')) exit('No direct script access allowed');
 // Functions needed in the view FHC-Header
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-const DEFAULT_SANCHO_HEADER_IMG = 'sancho_header_DEFAULT.jpg';
-const DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG = 'sancho_footer_DEFAULT.jpg';
-
 /**
  * Send single Mail with Sancho Design and Layout.
  * @param string $vorlage_kurzbz Name of the template for specific mail content.
@@ -38,27 +35,88 @@ const DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG = 'sancho_footer_DEFAULT.jpg';
  * @param string $bcc Sets BCC of mail.
  * @return void
  */
-function sendSanchoMail($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data, $to, $subject, $headerImg = DEFAULT_SANCHO_HEADER_IMG, $footerImg = DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG, $from = null, $cc = null, $bcc = null)
+function sendSanchoMail(
+	$vorlage_kurzbz,
+	$vorlage_data,
+	$to,
+	$subject,
+	$headerImg = '',
+	$footerImg = '',
+	$from = null,
+	$cc = null,
+	$bcc = null
+)
 {
 	$ci =& get_instance();
 	$ci->load->library('email');
 	$ci->load->library('MailLib');
 
-	$sanchoHeader_img = 'skin/images/sancho/'. $headerImg;
-	$sanchoFooter_img = 'skin/images/sancho/'. $footerImg;
+	$sancho_mail_config = $ci->config->item('mail');
+
 
 	if ($from == '')
 	{
-		$from = 'sancho@'.DOMAIN;
+		$from = ((isset($sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_default_sender'])
+				&& $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_default_sender']) 
+			  ? $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_default_sender']
+			  : 'noreply')
+			  . '@' . DOMAIN;
 	}
 
 	// Embed sancho header and footer image
 	// reset important to ensure embedding of images when called in a loop
 	$ci->email->clear(true);  // clear vars and attachments
-	$ci->email->attach($sanchoHeader_img);
-	$ci->email->attach($sanchoFooter_img);
-	$cid_header = $ci->email->attachment_cid($sanchoHeader_img); // sets unique content id for embedding
-	$cid_footer = $ci->email->attachment_cid($sanchoFooter_img); // sets unique content id for embedding
+
+	$cid_header = '';
+	$cid_footer = '';
+
+	if (isset($sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_use_images']) && $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_use_images'])
+	{
+		$sanchoHeader_img = '';
+		$sanchoFooter_img = '';
+
+		if (isset($headerImg) && $headerImg != '')
+		{
+			// use provided header image
+			$sanchoHeader_img = $headerImg;
+		}
+		elseif (isset($sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_header_img']) && $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_header_img'])
+		{
+			// use default header image
+			$sanchoHeader_img = $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_header_img'];
+		}
+
+		if (isset($footerImg) && $footerImg != '')
+		{
+			// use provided footer image
+			$sanchoFooter_img = $footerImg;
+		}
+		elseif (isset($sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_footer_img']) && $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_footer_img'])
+		{
+			// use default footer image
+			$sanchoFooter_img =  $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_footer_img'];
+		}
+
+		// add image file paths
+		if (isset($sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_img_path']))
+		{
+			if ($sanchoHeader_img != '')
+			{
+				$sanchoHeader_img = $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_img_path'].$sanchoHeader_img;
+			}
+
+			if ($sanchoFooter_img != '')
+			{
+				$sanchoFooter_img = $sancho_mail_config['sancho_mail_img_path'].$sanchoFooter_img;
+			}
+		}
+
+		// attach header and footer
+		$ci->email->attach($sanchoHeader_img, 'inline');
+		$ci->email->attach($sanchoFooter_img, 'inline');
+		$cid_header = $ci->email->attachment_cid($sanchoHeader_img); // sets unique content id for embedding
+		$cid_footer = $ci->email->attachment_cid($sanchoFooter_img); // sets unique content id for embedding
+	}
 
 	// Set specific mail content into specific content template
 	$content = _parseMailContent($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data);
@@ -74,7 +132,18 @@ function sendSanchoMail($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data, $to, $subject, $headerIm
 	$body = _parseMailContent('Sancho_Mail_Template', $layout);
 
 	// Send mail
-	return $ci->maillib->send($from, $to, $subject, $body, $alias = '', $cc, $bcc, $altMessage = '', $bulk = true, $autogenerated = true);
+	return $ci->maillib->send(
+		$from,
+		$to,
+		$subject,
+		$body,
+		'', // alias
+		$cc,
+		$bcc,
+		'', // altMessage
+		true, // bulk
+		true // autogenerated
+	);
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/config/global.config-default.inc.php b/config/global.config-default.inc.php
index 64d6d3a60..0d4158b48 100644
--- a/config/global.config-default.inc.php
+++ b/config/global.config-default.inc.php
@@ -338,4 +338,19 @@ define('DIENSTVERHAELTNIS_SUPPORT', false);
 
 // Falls Studstatus (Abmeldung, AbmeldungStg, Unterbrechung, Wiederholung) verwendet wird zeige Hinweistext bei Eingabe einer kommissionellen oder zusaetzlichen kommissionellen Pruefung
 define('FAS_STUDSTATUS_SHOW_KOMM_PRFG_HINT', false);
+
+// default absender (@DOMAIN wird hinzugefuegt daher ohne angeben)
+define('SANCHO_MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER', 'noreply');
+
+// header und footer Bilder für eigene Mails verwenden
+define('SANCHO_MAIL_USE_IMAGES', true);
+
+// Pfad für Bilder für eigene Mails, relativ zu document root
+define('SANCHO_MAIL_IMG_PATH', 'skin/images/sancho/');
+
+// header Bild für eigene Mails
+define('SANCHO_MAIL_HEADER_IMG', 'sancho_header_DEFAULT.jpg');
+
+// footer image for eigene Mails
+define('SANCHO_MAIL_FOOTER_IMG', 'sancho_footer_DEFAULT.jpg');
 ?>
diff --git a/include/sancho.inc.php b/include/sancho.inc.php
index 5fc6fcdab..4da3768b5 100644
--- a/include/sancho.inc.php
+++ b/include/sancho.inc.php
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@
  *
  * Authors: Cristina Hainberger <hainberg@technikum-wien.at>
  */
+
+require_once(dirname(__FILE__).'/../config/global.config.inc.php');
 require_once(dirname(__FILE__).'/basis_db.class.php');
 require_once(dirname(__FILE__).'/mail.class.php');
 require_once(dirname(__FILE__).'/vorlage.class.php');
 
-const DEFAULT_SANCHO_HEADER_IMG = 'sancho_header_DEFAULT.jpg';
-const DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG = 'sancho_footer_DEFAULT.jpg';
+const FALLBACK_SENDER = 'noreply';
 
 /**
  * Send single Mail with Sancho Design and Layout.
@@ -32,22 +33,66 @@ const DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG = 'sancho_footer_DEFAULT.jpg';
  *  to be replaced in the content template.
  * @param string $to Email-adress.
  * @param string $subject Subject of mail.
- * @param string $headerImg Filename of the specific Sancho header image.
- * @param string $footerImg
+ * @param string $headerImg Filename of the specific Sancho header image, false if no header image
+ * @param string $footerImg - false if no footer image
  * @param string $replyTo default Email-adress for reply.
  * @param string | array $cc
  * @return boolean True, if succeeded.
  */
-function sendSanchoMail($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data, $to, $subject, $headerImg = DEFAULT_SANCHO_HEADER_IMG, $footerImg = DEFAULT_SANCHO_FOOTER_IMG, $replyTo = '', $cc = '')
-{	
-	$from = 'sancho@'. DOMAIN;
-	$sanchoHeader_img = dirname(__FILE__). '/../skin/images/sancho/'. $headerImg;
-	$sanchoFooter_img = dirname(__FILE__). '/../skin/images/sancho/'. $footerImg;
+function sendSanchoMail($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data, $to, $subject, $headerImg = '', $footerImg = '', $replyTo = '', $cc = '')
+{
+	$from = ((defined('SANCHO_MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER') && SANCHO_MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER != '') 
+		  ? SANCHO_MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER 
+		  : FALLBACK_SENDER) 
+		  . '@' . DOMAIN;
+
+	$image_path_prefix = dirname(__DIR__).'/'.(defined('SANCHO_MAIL_IMG_PATH') ? SANCHO_MAIL_IMG_PATH : '');
+	$sanchoHeader_img = '';
+	$sanchoFooter_img = '';
+	$cid_header = '';
+	$cid_footer = '';
+
+	if (!defined('SANCHO_MAIL_USE_IMAGES') || SANCHO_MAIL_USE_IMAGES)
+	{
+		if (isset($headerImg) && $headerImg != '')
+		{
+			// use provided header image
+			$sanchoHeader_img = $headerImg;
+		}
+		elseif (defined('SANCHO_MAIL_HEADER_IMG') && SANCHO_MAIL_HEADER_IMG != '')
+		{
+			// use default header image
+			$sanchoHeader_img = SANCHO_MAIL_HEADER_IMG;
+		}
+
+		if ($sanchoHeader_img != '')
+		{
+			// set full image path
+			$sanchoHeader_img = $image_path_prefix.$sanchoHeader_img;
+		}
+
+		if (isset($footerImg) && $footerImg != '')
+		{
+			// use provided footer image
+			$sanchoFooter_img = $footerImg;
+		}
+		elseif (defined('SANCHO_MAIL_FOOTER_IMG') && SANCHO_MAIL_FOOTER_IMG != '')
+		{
+			// use default footer image
+			$sanchoFooter_img = SANCHO_MAIL_FOOTER_IMG;
+		}
+
+		if ($sanchoFooter_img !== '')
+		{
+			// set full image path
+			$sanchoFooter_img = $image_path_prefix.$sanchoFooter_img;
+		}
+
+		// Set unique content id for embedding header and footer image
+		$cid_header = uniqid();
+		$cid_footer = uniqid();
+	}
 
-	// Set unique content id for embedding header and footer image
-	$cid_header = uniqid();
-	$cid_footer = uniqid();
-			
 	// Set specific mail content into specific content template
 	$content = parseMailContent($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data);
 
@@ -63,22 +108,22 @@ function sendSanchoMail($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data, $to, $subject, $headerIm
 
 	// Send mail
 	$mail = new Mail($to, $from, $subject, $body);
-	
-	// * embed the images
-	$mail->addEmbeddedImage($sanchoHeader_img, 'image/jpg', '', $cid_header);
-	$mail->addEmbeddedImage($sanchoFooter_img, 'image/jpg', '', $cid_footer);
+
+	// * embed the images if needed
+	if ($sanchoHeader_img != '') $mail->addEmbeddedImage($sanchoHeader_img, 'image/jpg', '', $cid_header);
+	if ($sanchoFooter_img != '') $mail->addEmbeddedImage($sanchoFooter_img, 'image/jpg', '', $cid_footer);
 
 	// * Set reply-to
 	if (isset($replyTo) && $replyTo != '')
 		$mail->setReplyTo($replyTo);
-	
+
 	// * Set cc
 	if (isset($cc) && $cc != '')
 		$mail->setCCRecievers($cc);
 
 	// * embed the html content
 	$mail->setHTMLContent($body);
-	
+
 	return $mail->send();
 }
 
@@ -95,7 +140,7 @@ function parseMailContent($vorlage_kurzbz, $vorlage_data)
 {
 	$vorlage = new Vorlage();
 	$vorlage->getAktuelleVorlage('etw', $vorlage_kurzbz);
-	
+
 	// If the text and the subject of the template are not empty
 	if (!empty($vorlage->text))
 	{