BAföG für ein Studium beantragen

Students receive funding in the form of a grant (50%) and an interest-free government loan (50%) from the start of their studies, but not for periods prior to submitting their application.

The grant does not have to be repaid. The interest-free state loan is later repaid in low installments, whereby no one has to repay more than 10,000 euros of the state loan, regardless of the total amount of the training grant.

In the event of need, the amount of the grant depends on the student's income and assets and - as the grant is generally family-dependent - on the income of the parents and the spouse or registered partner. Insofar as statutory allowances are exceeded, this will be deducted from the respective rate of need and reduce the amount of support accordingly.

Training assistance is paid for living expenses and training (the so-called need). The BAföG provides for lump sums as monthly requirements, the amount of which depends, among other things, on the accommodation (living with parents or living away from home). For students with children under the age of ten, a childcare allowance may be granted.

An exact statement as to whether BAföG funding can be expected and, if so, how much, can only be made after a careful examination of all individual requirements by the responsible office.

The responsible office should be consulted in the event of delays in starting or completing a course of study or changing courses.

Training at vocational academies cannot be funded in Lower Saxony.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) provides further comprehensive information on BAföG on its website, in particular on the eligibility requirements, the forms to be completed as part of the application and the responsible offices.

Information on BAföG from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

• Applications forms
• Proof of income (for the trainee for the approval period, for the parents esp. Tax assessment notice from the penultimate calendar year)
• various additional documents required in each case

The competent authority will inform you of the required documents.

• Attendance at one of the following training centres:
  • University/University of Applied Sciences
  • University of Applied Sciences
  • College of Music and Art
  • College of education
  • Cooperative State University
  • Academy
• German citizenship
• Foreign citizens according to residence status
• a special aptitude or talent is not required
  Your performance must give rise to the expectation that you will achieve the training goal. In order to receive further funding from the 5th semester, you must prove the usual level of performance for the training.
• Maximum age at the beginning of the training/study 29 years, for a Master's degree 34 years.
  However, exceptions to this age limit apply, for example, to trainees who have acquired the university entrance qualification through second chance education or who raise their own child under the age of ten when they reach the age limit of 30 or 35 years.

There are no fees.

The application must be submitted in writing to the competent body. This can also be done informally. However, uniform federal forms must be used for the information required to establish the claim. The forms are available from the offices for educational support at the Studentenwerke and can also be printed out on the BMBF website.

You will receive a written notification (approval notice). In the event of a positive decision, the payments will be transferred monthly in advance to the specified account.

Hint: Even those who are not entitled to BAföG will receive a notification. You need this as proof, e.g. for an application for housing benefit.

You should submit the initial application as soon as the university has confirmed the desired study place.

Support is granted at the earliest from the beginning of the month in which the training starts, but not retroactively, but only after an application has been submitted.

Initially, an informal application can also be made so that the deadline is met. The official forms and other documents can then be submitted later.

Normally, you have to reapply for BAföG every year.eIf possible, you should submit an application for further approval about two months before the end of the approval period of the previous application.

A free hotline set up by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research together with the Deutsches Studentenwerk is also available for questions. The BAföG hotline can be reached under the number 0800-223 63 41 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Action, without prior opposition proceedings

If there is a proven need, students receive support in the form of a grant and an interest-free loan from the beginning of their training (but not for periods prior to application).

The responsibility lies with the Studentenwerke of the university at which the student is enrolled.

The required forms are available from the competent authority and can also be printed out on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

The application may also be submitted electronically. If you have a DE-Mail address, you can send the BAföG application directly to the responsible office. With the electronic signature by DE-Mail, the BAföG application is signed electronically. A handwritten signature is then no longer required.

But even those who do not use DE-Mail technology can benefit from the online portal: Once the application has been completed, it can simply be saved in PDF format, printed, signed by hand and scanned by normal e-mail to the responsible office. Of course, the papers can also be sent by post or fax. Here, too, the application is complete and can only be finally decided upon if all necessary evidence is attached.