BAföG - Financial aid from the state

BAföG promotes greater equality of opportunity in the German higher education system. This government-funded student aid program has been in place since 1971 and has proven its worth to millions. To date, more than four million people have been able to pursue higher education thanks to BAföG. Today, nearly one-fifth of all students benefit from the Federal Training Assistance Act.

BAföG (short for: Federal Training Assistance Act) is intended to help young people finance an education that matches their abilities and interests. Students receive BAföG if their own financial resources and those of their parents or spouse/partner are insufficient to cover the costs.

Student BAföG is generally granted half as a grant (= gift) and half as an interest-free loan. A maximum of 10,010 euros of the loan amount must be repaid in total.

Many students are unaware that they could receive BAföG funding. We recommend: Seek advice from your student services office. Detailed information on BAföG is available here.

Further information:

• Information on the BAföG grant provided by the Ministery (in German)
• BAföG FAQ web service provided by “Studis online” (in German)

You can find all the information on the German website.

Please note:
Questions regarding the status of your application during BAföG advice cannot be answered on-site!

Housing allowance helps low-income individuals cover housing costs and must be applied for at the local housing allowance office. However, students are rarely eligible to receive housing allowance.

It is worth submitting an application for housing allowance if students are not entitled to BAföG in principle (Section 20(2) of the Housing Allowance Act). On the other hand, those who do not receive BAföG because the income of their parents and spouse/partner or their own income/assets is too high are excluded from housing allowance. In such cases, the parents and spouse/partner are obligated to provide support.

Note: Before you can apply for housing allowance, you must have submitted a BAföG application!

Whether there is no entitlement to BAföG funding on the merits is determined solely by the competent Office for Educational Assistance at the place of study. The negative BAföG decision then serves as proof for the housing allowance office.

Students may apply for housing allowance if

• their education is not eligible for funding under the BAföG (Section 2 BAföG).
• they receive benefits from scholarship foundations (§ 2(6)(2) BAföG).
• the requirements for funding a second, supplementary, or advanced degree program are not met (§ 7(2) BAföG).
• they discontinue their studies or change their field of study without good cause or compelling reason (§ 7(3) BAföG).
• they are foreign nationals and do not meet the requirements of § 8 BAföG.
• they have exceeded the age limit under § 10(3) BAföG.
• The maximum duration of BAföG funding has been exceeded (Section 15(2) BAföG) and the requirements for funding beyond the maximum duration (Section 15(3) BAföG) or for assistance to complete studies (Section 15(3a) BAföG) are not met.
• You have not submitted an assessment (component) in accordance with Section 48 of the BAföG.
• BAföG is paid exclusively as an interest-bearing loan.

If students are deemed “unable to work” under SGB II (German Social Security Code) due to a long-term illness or disability, they may, in exceptional cases, be eligible for “living expenses assistance” under SGB XII (Social Code – Book XII).

You can find more information on this here.

Benefits under the Social Indemnification Act (SGB XIV)

(formerly Federal War Victims Compensation Act – BVG)

As of January 1, 2024, the former Federal War Victims Compensation Act (BVG) has been repealed and replaced by the new Fourteenth Book of the German Social Code (SGB XIV). The former educational allowance (Erziehungsbeihilfe) is no longer available for new applicants; it is only continued for existing historical cases.

Who is eligible today?
The new social indemnification system primarily covers students who have become victims of acts of violence (e.g., physical or psychological assault), acts of terrorism, or severe vaccination damages, as well as their dependents and surviving relatives. Under certain conditions, financial aid or benefits for participation in education (Leistungen zur Teilhabe an Bildung) may be granted.

Impact on BAföG:
Since indemnification benefits and pensions under SGB XIV generally take precedence over or affect the calculation of student financial aid (BAföG), you should submit any relevant applications early. Please submit copies of your benefit notices (Bescheide) or pending applications directly along with your BAföG documents to our office.

Where can I find more information?
Detailed information regarding your entitlements and the application process can be found on the website of the Zentrum Bayern Familie und Soziales (ZBFS).