BAföG
The Federal Training Support Act, also known as BAföG, is intended to enable you to study without having to worry about finances - at least that's the theory.
We try to clarify the most important things for you in advance so that you quickly have the most important information ready and get your money.
BAföG funding
In order to receive BAföG, you must be enrolled at a German university. If your parents don't have enough money to (co-)finance your education, you can get money from the state. The funding is granted as a non-interest-bearing loan. You will receive half of it as a subsidy from the state, and you will have to pay back the other half 5 years after you finish your studies - up to a maximum of €10,000.
personal requirements
You are entitled to training funding if you have German citizenship or are a foreigner with prospects of remaining if you provide services that suggest that you will achieve your study goals. This is usually accepted as long as you attend your university and can provide evidence of coursework if necessary. Last but not least, age plays a role. For undergraduate courses, 30 years is the magic limit, for postgraduate courses it is 35 years.
Eligible income
All positive income within the meaning of the Income Tax Act is considered income. Essentially this involves income from self-employment and employment, capital assets and income from renting and leasing. Income and church tax, a flat rate for social security (especially health insurance) and amounts for retirement provision are deducted from this income. This results in the income within the meaning of BAföG.
IMPORTANT:
When your income is taken into account, your current income is binding - this means that the money you earn during the approval period is binding. For spouses, registered life partners and parents, however, the income from the calendar year before last is binding.
The amount of exempt income from employment for trainees is currently €4,800 annually. The total amount you earned during the approval period will be divided over 12 months. It doesn't matter whether you only work during the semester break - and earn more there - or whether you work a little every month. What is important is the total amount from the year of approval. If you earn more, every additional euro you earn will be deducted from BAföG.
The BAföG application
You can find the BAföG application online. (https://www.bafög.de/de/alle-werbungsformulare-432.php) The student union at the university location is responsible for your BAföG benefit. You must submit the completed application there. The Student Union is also available to help you with any questions you may have regarding your application.
TIP:
There can be some time between the application and the first BAföG payment. It is important to submit your application on time. Funding is available from the month in which the training begins, provided the application was submitted in the same month. Even if you don't have all the necessary documents for the application yet, it is advisable to submit it (incompletely) so that processing will be quicker when all documents are together.
Maximum funding period
The maximum funding period depends on the standard period of study for your course of study. You can also receive funding beyond the maximum funding period if there is an important reason. These include illness, pregnancy, failing a module exam for the first time, intermediate or final exams and committee work.
Scope of training funding
The training funding is provided both for your living expenses and for your training. The requirement rate is decisive for calculating the BAföG amount. This rate varies depending on whether you still live with your parents or not, or whether you pay for your health insurance yourself. The maximum rate if you live in your own four walls is currently €670. (as of 09/2014)
Change of specialty
If you change your subject area, you will continue to receive “normal” BAföG if this was done no later than after the 3rd semester and there is a legally recognized reason, such as poor aptitude or a change in inclinations. If you change your subject area for a second time, you will also receive benefits until the end of your studies. However, the payments already made will be deducted from the standard period of study. You will then only receive the additional semesters in the form of an interest-bearing bank loan. You should definitely seek advice from the student union before changing your subject area - it may just be a change in focus. (see dropping out of studies)
Parent-independent BAföG
Parent-independent BAföG is only granted in certain exceptional situations in which the legislature assumes that the parents' obligation to finance vocational training no longer exists, these include:
- Attending an evening high school or college
- Start studying after the age of 30
- Starting your studies after 5 years of employment (after the age of 18)
- Start your studies after completing a previous vocational qualification of at least 3 years
BAföG is intended to enable you to study without having to worry about finances - at least that's the theory.
