What we do
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for BAföG funding, we will work with you to establish all the necessary facts. We can help with any questions you may have regarding the application process, grounds for extension, changing your field of study, or repayment arrangements.
What is BAföG funding?
The abbreviation BAföG stands for ‘Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz’ (Federal Training Assistance Act). BAföG funding is a state social benefit that provides financial support to people, for example, whilst they are studying. Half of the BAföG consists of a grant that does not need to be repaid, and the other half consists of an interest-free loan.
The basic allowance is rising from €452 to €475 a month.
The rent allowance will rise from €360 to €380 per month (for those not living with their parents) or remain at €59 per month (for those living with their parents). Instead of the previous €812, BAföG payments may in future amount to up to €855 per month (excluding the supplement for health and long-term care insurace), i.e. for studnet covered by parents’ insurance, most of whom are under 25.
The child supplement for students with children remains unchanged at €160 per month per child.
Due to the increase in BAföG, the contribution towards student health insurance will rise for everyone who already has to take out their own insurance: from €94 (health insurance) to €102 and from €28 (long-term care insurance) to €35, totalling €137. For anyone over €30 (who are no longer eligible for student health insurance), the cost here rises to up to €185 (health insurance) and €48 (long-term care insurance), totalling €233.
For your own income and starting October 2024 the earnings limit for minijobs wil be increased to €556 per month, that will not be counted toward the income limit.
For your parents’ income the exemption amount ill inrease by 5,25%. Specifically, this means that an only child with married parents who previously received the maximum BAföG grant up to a monthly net income of €2,415 for their parents (a simplified illustration) will now receive it up to a monthly net income of €2,540.
The asset exemption remains at €15,000 for students under 30 and at €45,000 for students over 30.
Starting with the 2024/25 winter semester, students have the option to extend their studies by one semester at the end of the maximum funding period. This extension may be taken once during the course of study—that is, either during the bachelor’s or master’s program. Students who wish to take advantage of the flexibility semester should first check whether they can provide other grounds for an extension, such as committee work, illness, raising children, pregnancy, or caring for a family member. To apply for the flexibility semester, submit an informal request to the relevant BAföG office.
First-year students from households receiving social assistance have been able to apply for the Study Start Grant since the 2024/25 winter semester. This is a grant of €1,000 for students who are beginning a full-time degree program for the first time at a university or academy in Germany, another EU country, or Switzerland. The application for the Study Start Grant must be submitted online by the end of the month following the start of studies and is processed independently of the BAföG application. You can find more information here.
A grant of up to €5,600 toward tuition at a foreign university.
Anyone who would be eligible for BAföG in Germany can already receive international BAföG for virtually any state-recognized degree program in another EU country. Studying abroad outside the EU is also possible—but so far only as a stay abroad lasting no more than one year as part of a degree program that otherwise takes place within the EU. Since the 2022 amendment, international BAföG can also be used for one-year master’s programs outside the EU (which would also apply to the United Kingdom).
Parent-Independent BAföG
In general, financial aid for students depends on your parents’ income. This means that, depending on how much your parents earn, you will receive more or less money—or none at all—from the BAföG office. In some exceptional cases, however, there is BAföG funding that is independent of parental income:
- if you have reached the age of 30 by the time you begin this phase of your education
- if you have already worked for 5 years prior to starting your studies
- if you have already completed vocational training and subsequently worked (for a total of 6 years)
- while attending an evening high school or a college preparatory school
- if your parents’ whereabouts are unknown or they live abroad and are genuinely unable to provide financial support for you
If any of these situations apply, your parents’ income will not be taken into account, even if they still provide you with financial support.
In addition, you are eligible for parent-independent BAföG if your parents are no longer obligated to provide support. You should seek advice from an attorney specializing in family law regarding this matter. If there is no longer an obligation to provide support, your parents may refuse to make the payments. The BAföG office will—following an application for advance payments—make the payments to you if the continuation of your education would otherwise be at risk. As part of the advance payment procedure, your parents’ obligation to provide support will then be reviewed. If, in the assessment of the BAföG office or as confirmed by the court, there is no obligation to provide support, the BAföG office will pay parent-independent BAföG starting with your next application.
Your BAföG eligibility ends—what now?
In fact, more than half of all students do not complete their studies within the standard period of study. But what options are available if eligibility for BAföG expires after the standard period of study?
In some cases, the duration of BAföG funding may be extended. To qualify, you must provide evidence of compelling reasons why you were unable to complete your studies within the standard period of study, such as
- Service on a student body (e.g., the AStA, student council, or similar),
- a disability, pregnancy, or the care and upbringing of a child up to 10 years of age,
- a semester abroad or a study-related internship,
- for serious reasons. A serious reason includes, for example:
- delayed admission to courses required for an exam (e.g., “internal numerus clausus”)
- an illness, or failing an exam for the first time that is required to continue one’s studies (e.g., intermediate exam)
- an extension of the exam period for which the student is not responsible (e.g., sudden illness of the examiner) or
- delayed admission to courses required for an exam (e.g., “internal numerus clausus”).
Irrespective of this, the BAföG Office grants an interest-bearing bank loan to enable students to complete their degree, for a maximum of 12 months, provided that the Examinations Office certifies that the course can be completed within this period. Overall, the degree must be completed no later than four semesters beyond the standard period of study.
In addition, there is, of course, the option of taking out a loan, such as a government education loan https://www.bva.bund.de/.
Wird ein BAföG-Anspruch abgelehnt, besteht die Möglichkeit, Wohngeld zu beantragen. Dies ist auch neben einem Volldarlehen möglich (also auch bei Hilfe zum Studienabschluss).
There are also various foundations that provide financial support to help students complete their degrees. You can find more information at www.stipendienlotse.de.