Applying for BAföG for the first time
Initial application for BAföG financial aid for high school students in grade 10 and above, apprentices, and college students.
Wo wohnen Sie?
Damit wir Applying for BAföG for the first time mit dem zuständigen BAföG-Amt in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.
Oder Großstadt wählen:
Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Applying for BAföG for the first time.
Quick answer
- 1
Documents you need
Certificate of Enrollment · Parents' income tax assessment
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Responsible authority
The authority of your main residence
- 3
How to do it
Apply directly online
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Costs
Kostenlos bis 50 € Bearbeitungsgebühr
How to proceed
- 1
Submit your application as early as possible
Retroactive effect applies only from the month of application; there is no retroactive entitlement.
- 2
Please include proof of the parents' income
Parents' tax assessment notices for the year before last.
- 3
Review the decision and flag the application for continued authorization
BAföG is re-approved annually; be sure to submit your renewal application on time.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
High school students, apprentices, and college students who live on their own or whose parents have a low income.
Income limit
Income-based; maximum amount of approximately €934 in 2024 (for students with housing costs).
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 1 months
Success rate
approx. 72.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Application not submitted in the first semester (no retroactive effect beyond the application date)
- •Parents' tax assessment notices not included
Common reasons for rejection
- •Parents' income is too high
- •Income/assets in excess of the exemption amount
- •Change of major not justified
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.
Questions & Answers
Do I have to pay back my BAföG?▼
Half of the amount is an interest-free loan that must be repaid starting five years after the end of the funding period. The other half is a grant.
Freshness & source
- Maintenance
- Continuously reviewed & updated
- Source
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
- Data quality
- 100 %