Apply for BAföG
Government financial aid for high school and college students from low-income families, provided partly as a grant and partly as an interest-free loan.
How to proceed
- 1
Fill out the forms
Online via BAföG-Digital or on paper at the relevant Office for Student Financial Aid.
- 2
Please include proof of your parents' income
Tax assessment notice or proof of income for the calendar year before last.
- 3
Wait for the decision
If approved, payments are made monthly, half as a grant and half as a loan (for students).
Required documents
- Certificate of EnrollmentMandatoryOften forgotten
- Proof of parents' incomeMandatoryOften forgotten
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
Fees
Varies by case
Processing time
approx. 3 months
Official: max. approx. 4 months
Online application
Online possible – at the responsible authority
Common mistakes
- • Proof of the parents' income is missing
- • Enrollment certificate is out of date
Common reasons for rejection
- • Parental income above the tax-free thresholds
- • Changing majors without good cause after the third semester
You can usually file an objection against a rejection.
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
High school students (under certain conditions) and college students whose educational expenses are not covered by their parents' income (or their own or their partner's income).
Income limit
Depending on the parents' income, the student's own assets (exemption limit of €15,000), and marital status—individual calculation using the BAföG calculator.
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 3 months
Success rate
approx. 70.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Proof of the parents' income is missing
- •Enrollment certificate is out of date
Common reasons for rejection
- •Parental income above the tax-free thresholds
- •Changing majors without good cause after the third semester
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.
Related services
Questions & Answers
Does BAföG have to be repaid?▼
For students, half of the amount is an interest-free loan that is repaid in installments starting five years after the end of the maximum funding period (with a cap on the maximum amount).