BAföG (federal student financial aid)
BAföG ·Administered by Studierenden- und Studentenwerke (Ämter für Ausbildungsförderung)
BAföG is the backbone of German student finance, paid monthly by the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung at your local Studierendenwerk. Half is a non-repayable grant, the other half a zero-interest state loan — and no matter how long you were funded, you repay at most €10,010 (77 installments of €130), with the rest waived after 20 years. It covers a first degree including a consecutive master's for the standard period of study.
Who qualifies
- First degree or consecutive master's, starting before your 45th birthday
- German citizens; EU citizens with permanent residence, worker status or at least 6 months of study-related prior employment
- Non-EU nationals via permanent permits, a residence permit plus 15 months of lawful residence, 5 years of own work in Germany, or a parent who worked 3 of the last 6 years here
- Parental income above the allowances reduces the award — €2,540 net per month is exempt for a couple
- Own assets: €15,000 exempt under 30, €45,000 from 30
How to apply
Apply online at BAföG Digital — funding starts from the month of application and is never paid retroactively, so file early even if documents are still missing.
Deadlines: Paid from the month of application, never retroactively; approval periods run 12 months
Apply / official channel →Recent & announced changes
A coalition draft would raise the housing allowance from €380 to €440 (reported for 2026/27–2027) and lift the basic rate in steps in 2027–29 — not yet law.
Sources
- Was sind Bedarfssätze und wie hoch sind sie? — BMBFSFJ (bafög.de) (retrieved 10 July 2026)
- 29. BAföG-Novelle — Verbesserungen zum Wintersemester 2024/25 — Deutsches Studierendenwerk (retrieved 10 July 2026)
Last verified 10 July 2026
Related programs
Study start-up help (Studienstarthilfe)· Studienstarthilfe
€1,000 one-time
A one-time €1,000 grant for study starters under 25 whose household received means-tested benefits in the month before the start of study — no repayment, no offsetting.
Aufstiegs-BAföG (advancement training assistance)· Aufstiegs-BAföG (AFBG)
up to €15,000 varies
Funds Meister, Fachwirt, Techniker and 700+ other advanced qualifications: half of up to €15,000 in course fees as a grant, plus means-tested maintenance up to €1,019/month for full-timers.