BAföG (student financial aid)

BAföG (Ausbildungsförderung) helps students and pupils finance an education when their parents cannot cover the costs. It is a federal support system for first vocational training at vocational schools, colleges, academies and universities, and in some cases for a private Berufsakademie or study abroad. 13

Who needs this

• BAföG is relevant for students and pupils whose education meets the BAföG rules and whose personal situation fits the funding conditions. These include nationality or residence status, age, suitability for the chosen education, and private income and assets. 1
• BAföG can also be available for foreigners if they have a prospect of staying in Germany and are socially integrated; this also applies to refugees under certain conditions. 3
• Pupils and students who have completed their 15th birthday can submit the BAföG application themselves. 2

Step by step

1. Check which office is responsible for your case. For students, this is the Studierendenwerk at the place of the university where you are enrolled. For pupils at Abendgymnasien, Kollegs, Höheren Fachschulen and academies, it is the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung of the city or district administration where the training institution is located. For other pupils, it is usually the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung at the parents’ place of residence, and in some cases at the student’s own place of residence. 2
2. Submit the application in writing or electronically to the responsible Amt für Ausbildungsförderung. This can be done via BAföG-Digital, or with the application forms by post or e-mail. 12
3. If you want continued support, submit a new application before the current funding period ends. 2

Documents

• The required application forms are available from all Ämter für Ausbildungsförderung and can also be viewed, completed and printed online. 2
• Applications can be submitted electronically through BAföG-Digital. 12
• Missing documents can be submitted later. 2

Cost and time

• BAföG is first granted for one year. 2
• Funding starts with the beginning of the education, but at the earliest from the beginning of the month in which the application is submitted. It cannot be paid retroactively for earlier months. 2
• For study abroad, the application should be submitted at least half a year before departure. 3
• If you are already receiving BAföG and are in a current approval period, the changes apply from 1 October 2024. 3

Deadlines

• BAföG is paid only from the month of application; there is no payment for earlier months, even if the education started earlier. 3
• A new application should be filed before the current funding period ends. 2
• For study abroad, the application should be filed at least half a year before the planned start. 3
• The application for Studienstarthilfe can be submitted until the end of the following month after the start of training. 3

City by city

• Students: the responsible office is the Studierendenwerk at the place of your university. 2
• Pupils at Abendgymnasien, Kollegs, Höheren Fachschulen and academies: the responsible office is the city or district administration where the training institution is located. 2
• Other pupils: the responsible office is usually the city or district administration at the parents’ place of residence; in some cases it is at the student’s own place of residence. 2