Questions & Answers around BAföG

The most frequently asked questions and answers

• Who is eligible for BAföG?

  BAföG is in general dependent upon the parents’ income. Eligibility is governed by the parents’ income received in the last but one calendar year before the allowance period is to start. If you file the application e.g. in 2024, the income received in 2022 will count. If the income of one parent in the allowance period (usually from October to September of the following year) is less than two years ago, you may apply for an update of the application. BAföG is then granted conditionally subject to reclaim. This applies as well, if the final tax statement from the parents is not available yet.

  The exception is funding independent upon parents‘ income. The parents‘ income is not relevant, if the student or trainee has worked for at least five years after having competed the 18th year of life or has completed at least three years of vocational training and worked at least three years or, if the training was shorter, has worked accordingly longer and received a certain minimum income. Apprentices who have reached the age of 30 when starting their apprenticeship receive BAföG independet of the parents’ income as well.

• When can I file the application?

  The loan can be granted only after the application was filed (received at the office at the latest on October 31, if you are eligible for the loan as of October). Therefore, submit your BAföG application in good time!

  Funding commences with the month the application is filed, though at the earliest when the education/training starts. An informal application is initially sufficient to meet the deadline. BAföG is usually granted for one year (two semesters). Applications for continued assistance must be submitted completely at the latest two months before the former allowance period expires to ensure continued funding without interruptions.

  If you do not file the required documents within the officially stipulated period, you are notified and subsequently the application is rejected due to lack of cooperation. Exception: You inform the office beforehand about the delayed procurement of the documents.

• How do I apply?

  The easiest way to submit your application is to use the new digital application assistant “BAföG Digital”. You fill out the forms provided there step by step online and and submit them directly to the Department for Grants. You can also submit the additional documents required to complete your online application online. After submitting the application, you can easily track its status.

  Alternatively, the application forms can be downloaded from the BAföG website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and are also available on the first floor of the Studentenwerk at Goethestraße 6.

• How long does it take to process the application?

  This depends entirely on when the application is submitted, i.e. when it is received by the BAföG office. We recommend submitting the application as soon as the place of study has been determined, but at the latest in the month in which the degree programme begins – usually in October at the latest. Even if the application is submitted in full, it can take eight to twelve weeks to process due to the large number of applications submitted. If you only submit your application in October, or submit an incomplete application, you can expect to wait considerably longer.

  If, when submitting an application for the first time during a period of training or after an interruption in training, the determinations required for a decision on the application cannot be made within six calendar weeks or payments cannot be made within ten calendar weeks, training assistance will be paid for four months up to the amount of four fifths of the estimated monthly requirement for the training to be funded in accordance with § 12 Paragraphs 1 and 2, § 13 Paragraphs 1 and 2 and §§ 13a and 14b, subject to reclaim (§ 51 Paragraph 2 BAföG). The decision on the BAföG advance is made ex officio. A separate application does not have to be submitted.

  The following applies to repeated applications: If an authorisation period ends and a new decision has not been issued, training assistance will be paid within the same training period in accordance with the previous authorisation decision, subject to reclaim. However, this only applies if the new application was submitted essentially in full two calendar months before the end of the approval period and the necessary evidence was enclosed (§ 50 Para. 4 BAföG). What exactly is meant by ‘essentially complete’ can be obtained from the BAföG office.

• How much BAföG will I receive?

  The BAföG amount is calculated on an individual basis, so that the full amount is not always granted, but also partial funding is possible. Amounts less than 10 € are not paid out though.

  Generally, the housing situation (living with the parents or not) and the type of health and nursing insurance are crucial. The maximum rate for students not living with their parents is currently between 855 and 1088 euros. The exact amounts can be viewed on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

• How much am I allowed to earn when I apply for BAföG?

  Your income from employment during the allowance period may amount to gross 6.672 €, without this affecting the amount of funding (except in the case of internships or self-employment). BAföG recipients can therefore earn up to 556 € per month from employment without it being taken into account for BAföG. Income from a mini-job therefore regularly has no influence on the entitlement to funding.

• How many assets am I allowed to own?

  The circumstances at the time of application are decisive. For trainees under the age of 30 at the time of application, existing assets of up to €15,000 are not taken into account. For trainees aged 30 and over (at the time of application), the allowance is as high as €45,000. Any additional assets are distributed over the months of the approval period and reduce the BAföG entitlement, but do not necessarily exclude it.

  If your total assets amount to less than €10,000, you do not have to submit proof of assets to the BAföG office if you submit a corresponding declaration instead. The form for the simplified assessment of assets can be downloaded from BAföG.de.

• What if my parents refuse to provide information?

  If parents refuse to provide information or do not pay the officially stipulated monthly alimony, you should immediately contact the counselor in charge at the BAföG office.

• What do I do when my data change?

  Any changes of information given in the application must be communicated to the BAföG office on all accounts. The office then decides whether such changes affect the eligibility (e.g. changes with regard to siblings, income, residence, academic leave of absence, dropout, etc.)

• Do I have to reach certain academic achievements to stay eligible for BAföG?

  As of the fifth semester, BAföG will be granted only with positive performance records, i.e. if the availability of the usual academic achievements from the first four semesters is confirmed. The college or university is responsible to issue this confirmation or certificate. The BAföG recipients themselves are responsible to present the confirmation or certificate to the authority. Students, who get form 5 issued in the first four months of the fourth semester, only need to have the academic achievements confirmed until the third semester. If no academic performance records are available, you should contact the counselor in charge to have checked whether it is possible to present the performance records later.

  Pandemic-related exception

  The pandemic-related extension of the standard period of study also affects the submission of certificates of achievement. These can be submitted up to three semesters later. You can find more details on the procedure under question 18 “Will I receive BAföG for a longer period of time if the standard period of study is extended due to the pandemic?

• Can I change my field of study without losing my eligibility for BAföG?

  A change of field of study for good cause may only be made up to the end of the 4th semester. In the case of the first change of specialisation after 3 semesters, the existence of an important reason is even assumed. A justification is not required in these cases and therefore does not need to be submitted. From the beginning of the 5th semester, there must be irrefutable reasons for receiving funding for a different course of study. In the case of a planned change of specialisation, we recommend that you contact the BAföG office immediately and clarify whether funding for the desired course of study is even possible.

• Can I get exempted from the obligation to pay the broadcasting license fee when I receive BAföG?

  Students who receive BAföG and do not live with their parents, can apply for exemption from the obligation to pay the broadcasting license fee. The exemption applies to spouses and registered life partners too, however, not to other flat mates.

  Since the 19th amendment of the Inter-State Broadcasting Treaty took effect on January 1, 2017, students can be exempted from the obligation to pay the broadcasting license fee retroactively for up to three years. If students provide evidence that the requirements for exemption or reduction, e.g. because they received BAföG benefits, were available prior to the application, exemption or reduction is possible retroactively for up to three years from the application (for exemption).

  To students who are not entitled to state funding, the same applies as to all citizens of full age: one apartment – one fee. People doing a voluntary year of social service (FSJ), students in Erasmus programs or other scholarship holders are in general bound to pay the fee.

  For further information on the public broadcasting license fee and the application form for the exemption, please visit the Rundfunkbeitrag website.

• What do I need to consider for the housing allowance (Wohngeld) application in connection with BAföG?

  Benefits according to BAföG

  § 14 para 2 no. 27 clause a of the German housing allowance act (WoGG) specifies that one half of the benefits paid as allowance according to BAföG, except for the childcare allowance according to § 14b BAföG, is included in the annual income, irrespective of whether the student receiving the allowance lives with his/her parents or not.

  Benefits from organizations sponsoring gifted students

  According to § 14 para 2 no. 27 clause b WoGG, one half of the allowance paid by organizations sponsoring gifted students is included in the annual income, unless listed in § 14 para 2 clause 28 WoGG (see no. 14.21.28).

  Organizations sponsoring gifted students in terms of § 14 para 2 Nr. 27 clause b WoGG are in particular

  1. Cusanuswerk e. V., Bischöfliche Studienförderung, Bonn;

  2. Evangelisches Studienwerk e. V., Haus Villigst, Schwerte;

  3. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e. V., Bonn;

  4. Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit e. V., Bereich Begabtenförderung, Potsdam;

  5. Förderungswerk Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung e. V., München;

  6. Hans-Böckler-Stiftung e. V., Düsseldorf;

  7. Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e. V., Berlin;

  8. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V., St. Augustin;

  9. Bundesstiftung Rosa-Luxemburg e. V., Berlin;

  10. Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft e. V., im Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft, Berlin;

  11. Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes e. V., Bonn;

  12. Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk e. V. (ELES), Potsdam;

  13. Avicenna-Studienwerk e.V., Osnabrück .

  Scholarships

  Pursuant to § 14 para 2 no. 27 clause c WoGG, one half of the benefits paid to sponsor gifted students, which are not paid by organizations sponsoring gifted students (but e.g. by the Länder, universities, or companies) is included in the annual income. One half of corresponding benefits paid by Otto-Benecke-Stiftung and other scholarships, unless listed in § 14 para 2 no. 27 clause b, no. 28, or no. 29 WoGG, is included in the annual income as well.

  Housing allowance for trainees and students

  (1) Students are eligible for housing allowance, if one or more members of the household is in principle not entitled to training assistance according to BAföG or pursuant to §§ 59 to 73, 75, 101 para 3 or § 104 SGB III (German Social Security Code). That is the case, if a course of studies or a vocational training is not eligible for assistance even if considered abstractly or reasons regarding the applicant are available, which exclude the corresponding assistance (unless the exclusion is made according to the amount).

  Therefore, persons may be entitled to housing allowance, if

  1. The vocational training/course of study is not eligible for funding pursuant to BAföG or SGB III (§§ 2 and 3 BAföG, §§ 59 to 73, 75 SGB III),

  2. The vocational training/course of study does not demand the full workforce of the trainee/student (formal part-time training) and therefore is not eligible for BAföG pursuant to § 2 para 5 BAföG,

  3. Foreign persons apply for the housing allowance who do not meet the requirements of § 8 BAföG or § 63 SGB III. If the WoGG is in general applicable in this regard, observe in addition § 3 para 5 WoGG,

  4. The age limit for training assistance pursuant to § 10 para 3 BAföG is exceeded,

  5. The training was aborted or the field of study changed for no important or irrefutable reason (§ 7 para 3 and 4 BAföG),

  6. The requirements for funding of continuing training are not met pursuant to § 7 para 2 BAföG or pursuant to §§ 59 and 60 para 2 SGB III,

  7. The maximum period of assistance is exceeded (§ 15 para 2 BAföG in connection with the regulation on the maximum period of assistance pursuant to § 15a BAföG) and the requirements for continuing assistance pursuant to § 15 Abs. 3 BAföG or for graduation funding pursuant to § 15 para 3a BAföG are not met by their nature,

  8. The training is not eligible for assistance in terms of § 62 SGB III, because it is in whole or in parts effected abroad, and the requirements specified in § 62 para 1 or para 2 SGB III are not met, the trainee or student lives in the area of application of the WoGG though (cross-border commuter),

  9. They are pupils who cannot be funded pursuant to BAföG, but are in general entitled to training assistance according to the regional regulations of the Land,

  10. They are trainees attending vocational training in companies or vocational training centers, who do not belong to the group of rehabilitees, not being entitled to training assistance pursuant to § 64 SGB III,

  11. They are trainees receiving benefits from organizations sponsoring gifted students (see no. 14.21.27b) (§ 2 para 6 no. 2 BAföG),

  12. They are trainees who are excluded from training assistance, because they did not provide the performance records required pursuant to § 48 para 1 BAföG,

  13. They are trainees who do not meet the requirements as specified in § 2 para 1a BAföG,

  14. The maximum period of graduation funding (§ 15 para 3a BAföG) is exceeded,

  15. They are disabled persons not entitled to training assistance, because transitional allowance can be provided (§ 104 SGB III),

  a) during vocational training or educational program including basic training/education or

  b) during an introductory program or vocational training in a sheltered workshop,

  16. They are trainees who work as government employees and receive aspirant emoluments or similar benefits from public funds (§ 2 para 6 no. 3 BAföG).

  If none of the cases given in clause 1 is given, the trainee/student shall not be entitled to housing allowance simply because he/she does not apply for training assistance.

  (2) If household members receive training assistance pursuant to § 74 SGB III, they are entitled to training assistance benefits in the merits of §§ 59 to 73 and 75 SGB III.

  Assistance as loan

  If a household member is granted the complete training assistance benefits exclusively as loan, the WoGG shall be applicable. This is e.g. the case with the graduation funding pursuant to § 15 para 3a in connection with § 17 para 3 BAföG.

  Collaboration of the housing allowance authority with the training assistance agencies

  The housing allowance authority needs to examine whether the trainee/student is in principle ineligible for training assistance. If there are still doubts afterwards, the authority in charge of the training assistance shall provide administrative cooperation.

  As at November 2014

• What happens to my eligibility for BAföG when I study abroad?

  When you study abroad during your studies in Germany, a period of up to one year will not be counted in the number of semesters, unless the study guidelines provide for the study abroad. Special offices for the BAföG abroad are provided, which are responsible for the decision.

• How long is the maximum funding period?

  The maximum funding period is determined by the standard period of study in connection with § 114a Saxonian Hochschulfreiheitsgesetz. Under certain conditions, funding is possible beyond the standard period of study. Contact your personal counsellor and get advice.

• Can I appeal against the BAföG decision?

  The BAföG office issues a multitude of administrative decisions sent to the applicants in writing. Sometimes the recipient of the decision has the impression that the law was not applied correctly in his or her case. He or she now has the possibility to appeal against the decision.

  Is it absolutely necessary to appeal?

  Administrative experience shows that in many cases it helps to appear at the BAföG office in person and talk to the counselor in charge to solve the problem. This applies in particular to rental costs, sibling allowances, health and nursing care insurance allowances, changed income situation of the parents, or the assessment of the applicant’s income and assets and many other things. That is why we recommend – before you appeal – contacting the counselor in charge of you or the team leader in person or by phone within the period stipulated in the decision, who will explain the decision.

  If this personal consultation does not dispel your doubts regarding the factual and legal situation, there is still the option to appeal. The appeal will be initially processed at the BAföG office, where the factual and legal situation reviewed. If the result is that the law not being applied correctly, the BAföG office will issue a remedial decision. If this is not the case, the applicant will receive a written statement on the factual and legal situation. This statement includes the request to withdraw the appeal.

  If the appeal is not withdrawn, the file will be forwarded to the supervisory control authority – the Saxon State Office for Training Assistance (Sächsisches Landesamt für Ausbildungsfoerderung) – to decide. If the Saxon State Office arrives at the decision that the appeal is justified after all, the BAföG office will be instructed to remedy the appeal. If this is not the case, the Saxon State Office will issue a decision on the appeal in writing, which is appealable only by filing a lawsuit with the administrative court (Verwaltungsgericht) Leipzig.

• When do I have to repay BAföG?

  Half of BAföG for students is meant as a supplement, while the other half is an interest-free loan. Of this loan, a maximum of 10,010 EUR has to be amortized.

  One half of BAföG for students is usually given out as grant money and the other half as zero interest loan. A maximum of 10,000 Euro must be repaid of the zero interest loan – if you commenced your studies not earlier than in March 2001.

  The Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) in Cologne is responsible for collecting the loan. Repayment starts five years after the maximum award period ends (after the first degree). The amortization rate depends on income but amounts to max. 130 EUR per month. After 77 instalments, that is 10,010 EUR, the remaining debt is remitted.

  About half a year before the start of amortization obligation, the amount of the loan and the start of repayment (first instalment) shall be notified by notice. The instalment amount depends on income, i.e. low-income earners can even be exempted from repayment. In the event of early repayment of the loan debt, a discount will be granted upon application (!).

  Please note: If your name or address changes, you need to notify BVA direclty (50728 Köln; bafoeg@bva.bund.de). If notices cannot be delivered to your address, a lump sum of 25 € will be charged for the cost of the investigation for your new address.

• Are foreign students eligible for BAföG?
  • please view BAföG for international students
• Can I get BAföG for a longer period if the standard period of study is extended due to coronavirus?

  Summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020/21, summer semester 2021 and winter semester 2021/22 have been declared as so-called pandemic semesters (see § 114a SächsHSFG). This has immediate consequences for the BAföG support. Students thereby can receive educational support for up to four more semesters (depending on the respective enrolment). Furthermore the proof of performance listing the usual achievements of four semesters which used to be due with the beginning of the fifth semester now becomes to up to three semesters later.

• Is there (another) possibility, to receive funding for a longer period of time without stating reasons?

  Generelly there are basically two options available for this:

  1. Flexibility semesters

  Even if there are no specific reasons (e.g. illness or raising children, see § 15 Para. 3 BAföG), students will in future be able to receive funding for one semester longer. Just like that! The so-called flexible semester can only be claimed once during the course of study, e.g. at the end of the Bachelor’s programme or at the end of the Master’s programme. The amount of funding depends on the requirements of BAföG. Simply inform the BAföG office that you wish to take advantage of the flexible semester when you submit your regular BAföG application. The best way to do this is to use our form!

  2. Help with completing your studies

  Students can receive so-called ‘graduation assistance’ (a special form of BAföG) for a maximum of twelve months. The prerequisite for this is admission to the final examination within four semesters after the end of the maximum funding period and confirmation from the university that the course can (but does not have to) be completed within twelve months. The graduation grant is paid out as an interest-free full loan and does not have to be repaid until after the regular BAföG grant has been repaid.

  The application procedure is identical to the standard grant. The ‘Bescheinigung für die Hilfe zum Studienabschluss’ and the form ‘Antrag über die Förderungshöchstdauer hinaus’ must also be submitted and can be downloaded from the Studentenwerk website.