The affordable way to finance your studies

BAföG

After six years, BAföG will finally be upgraded for the coming winter semester 2019/20 and further increased in several stages each year until winter semester 2021. You can find out here what advantages this has for you and why you are now entitled to even more BAföG: BAföG amendment 2019 / BAföG-Novelle 2019

Do you have a degree that qualifies you to study? Then you are already well on the way to BAföG: 97% of the first applications we receive are eligible for BAföG! There are only a few exceptions that could slow you down now (e.g. if you are starting a second Bachelor's degree, studying at a private university that is not entitled to BAföG, etc.).

The amount of your BAföG support is as unique as your DNA - we have to calculate it! So send us your application or bring it in for a consultation. It’s free.

Now, for example. You can't apply too early, just too late. Even if you don't know which college you're going to, send the application to the Studierendenwerk in your town. If you land in another city, your application will be sent there.
If you are already a student, your application only counts from the month in which it arrives at the Studierendenwerk by mail. So if you don't want to leave money on the table, do it now.

Here's the thing: It depends mainly on you! Why? Smart applicants will have the money in their account after 4 weeks. The smart one is one who knows what to send and does it fast. You can be smart too, follow the BAföG checklist further up this page. BAföG-Checkliste.

No. Form 1 has about 110 items but usually you only need to fill in about 40 of them (just cross out the questions that don't apply to you). You know about 30 of them by heart (what’s your name, where do you live, where do your parents live, ...) and the rest you will have to look up (e.g. bank details, account balance, etc.)

Download | Form 1 (PDF) Formblatt 1

Not as complicated as your major!

There is no concrete income limit. This must be checked individually.

There are a few possibilities which we check on the basis of your curriculum vitae. For example, if you have already completed an apprenticeship and then worked (6 years in total) or if you are over 30 years old when you start your studies (also applies to Master's degree). We can gladly explain further exceptions.

From the first to the last semester of the standard period of study of your major if you apply every second semester. In exceptional cases, it can be longer (e.g. as a member of a student council or in case of delays due to pregnancy, child rearing etc.). In addition to the Bachelor's degree you can also be supported for the Master's degree. Let us advise you.

Five years after the end of the standard period of study. You will receive a letter from the Federal Office of Administration with the amount of your loan (limited to €10,010). Then you can choose whether you want to pay the total amount directly (at a discount!) or in instalments (e.g. €130 per month).

You must repay a maximum of half of the money you received. The other half is a "grant", i.e. a gift. Why maximum? There is a repayment limit of €10,010. So if you have received more than €20,000 in BAföG, you will never pay back more than €10,010! An example: If you receive the maximum amount of BAföG (from October 2019 approx. €853/month) while completing a BA and MA, you will receive a total of approx. €51,000 in BAföG, but only repay €10.010! Medical students and students with children can receive even more. No joke: You can get over €50,000 from the state for your studies! You’re responsible for only: €10.010!

Of course. However, the amount of support will be lower because the flat-rate housing allowance is then only €55 (instead of €325).

It is a combination of your assets (money in accounts, life insurance, etc.), your income (e.g. mini-job), the income of the parents from the year before last and minus any deductions (e.g. sibling allowances).

Tip: If your parents currently earn less than 2 years ago, the current, lower income is used.

Download | Form 7 (PDF) Formblatt 7

If they currently earn more than 2 years ago, this is not taken into account. By the way: The parents' assets are not important!

BAföG applications are usually valid for 12 months. During this period (called "approval period") you may earn up to €5,400 in total, e.g. in a mini-job. That is an average of 450 euros per month. It doesn't matter whether you earn the same amount every month or, for example, nothing for a few months and afterwards more. If you exceed the income limit, BAföG is capped accordingly. Other limits apply for freelancers, self-employed, trainers, and students with children.

No. BAföG is calculated on the combination of parental income minus what can be deducted from it. There are large allowances for siblings, for example. So if you have parents who earn well, but also a few siblings who are attending school, studying, training as an apprentice, doing a gap year, etc., you have a good chance of receiving BAföG support.