BAföG

The BAföG is designed to provide financial support for people to study if they or their families are unable to do so themselves. It is based on the Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG). You can find some information in English on the websites of the German Studierendenwerk or the relevant federal ministry.

Eligibility

The BAföG first determines whether you are generally eligible for funding—which depends, for example, on your citizenship, age, academic progress, and residency status.

BAföG then determines the amount of funding you will receive—which depends on your parents’ income, as well as your own income and assets.

One of the first criteria is nationality. As BAföG is a form of financial support provided by the German state, students with a German passport are generally eligible. However, there are a few other exceptions.

Recognised refugees

Refugee students may be eligible for BAföG under certain circumstances. To qualify, you must

• have permanent residence in Germany and be recognised as a refugee or
• have been granted permanent residence and have been in Germany continuously for at least 15 months or
• these criteria apply to your spouse

Students from the EU or the European Economic Area

If you come from a country in the European Union or the European Economic Area, you may be eligible for BAföG under certain circumstances. To qualify, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• held a job for at least 10 weeks, working at least 12 hours per week (and continuing to do so whilst receiving BAföG)
• You have lived legally in Germany for 5 years (permanent residence permit/settlement permit)
• at least one parent or spouse works and lives permanently in Germany
• worked for at least 6 months prior to your studies in a job related to your course of study

Non-EU students

If you are a non-EU student studying in Germany, you are probably here on a student visa (§16 of the Residence Act). You are not eligible for BAföG on this basis. If you hold a different residence permit and have been in Germany for some time, there may still be options available to you. However, the BAföG-Amt is best placed to advise you on this.

As well as your nationality, you must have started your first degree programme by your 45th birthday. You must also be enrolled on a full-time degree programme and must not be on a semester’s leave of absence.

Further information

If you receive BAföG or think you might be eligible for it, and have any questions, please feel free to drop by our advice.

Studis Online also has lots of information and tips on this topic. Unfortunately, these pages are only available in German.