BAföG for Students in Germany: Who Is Eligible for Financial Support

BAföG is state support under the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz for students and some pupils in Germany. It helps cover basic study and living costs if a student’s own funds and family support are insufficient. For international students, eligibility for BAföG depends not only on studying, but also on residence status, previous education, age, income, and family circumstances.

How BAföG works

For university students, BAföG usually consists of two parts: one is paid as a Zuschuss, meaning non-repayable support, and the other as an interest-free state loan. Only the loan portion must be repaid, and not immediately after graduation: the Bundesverwaltungsamt determines the repayment procedure and sends a notification later.

The payment amount is not the same for everyone. It is calculated individually and depends on:

the type of educational institution and programme;
whether you live with your parents or independently;
your own insurance, age, and additional needs;
the student’s income and assets;
the income of parents or a spouse, where dependent calculation applies;
education already completed and academic history.

That is why the phrase “maximum scholarship” should always be treated cautiously: the maximum amount is possible only when all relevant conditions are met, and the actual payment may be lower.

Maximum amount in 2026

The former amount of €934 per month is no longer an up-to-date benchmark. For students who do not live with their parents and qualify for the relevant supplements, a maximum amount of up to €992 per month is often stated. In some situations, the final amount may differ, for example because of health and long-term care insurance, age, place of residence, or future rate changes.

Before applying, it is best to check not only the general Höchstsatz but also your personal calculation through the BAföG-Amt or BAföG Digital. This is particularly important if you have your own income, savings, a spouse, children, a previous degree, or a non-standard residence status.

Who can apply

The basic logic of BAföG is that support is provided to those pursuing eligible education who cannot fully finance it themselves. For students, this is usually the first eligible higher-education programme or a consecutive path, such as a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree. A second degree, a change of subject, long breaks, or study after an existing qualification require separate assessment.

Age rules also apply. As a rule, studies must begin before the statutory age limit, which in many cases is linked to age 45. However, there are exceptions, such as obtaining university entrance eligibility later, raising children, caring for relatives, personal circumstances, or other reasons recognised by law as valid. Such cases cannot be assessed from a general article; they need to be discussed with the BAföG-Amt.

BAföG for international students

International students do not receive BAföG automatically. What matters is not simply studying in Germany, but eligibility under § 8 BAföG and the associated residence status.

In practice, different situations are possible:

EU citizens and their family members may be eligible if they meet additional conditions;
people with a permanent or long-term right of residence in Germany may fall under the BAföG rules;
some non-EU citizens qualify through long-term residence, employment, family ties, or their parents’ status;
a residence permit solely for study usually does not itself establish eligibility for BAföG.

This is one of the areas most prone to mistakes. If you came to Germany as an international student, do not draw a conclusion from the visa’s name alone. Check your Aufenthaltstitel, residence history, and family grounds with the responsible Amt für Ausbildungsförderung.

Previous education and changing programmes

BAföG is most often intended for a first educational path. However, this does not mean that any foreign degree automatically removes eligibility for support. The level of the degree, its recognition, the ability to work in the profession in Germany, and whether the new programme is a consecutive continuation are all important.

Examples requiring separate assessment include:

a bachelor’s degree abroad and a master’s degree in Germany;
incomplete higher education;
a degree that does not provide access to a profession in Germany;
changing fields after studies have begun;
evening or part-time study;
further education after a vocational qualification.

If your situation is complex, it is better to send documents to the BAföG-Amt early and obtain a written assessment than to rely on a general list of conditions.

How to apply

Applications are submitted to the responsible Amt für Ausbildungsförderung. For university students, this is usually the office at the Studierendenwerk where they study. In many cases, you can prepare an application through BAföG Digital.

You will usually need:

the BAföG application and forms;
proof of admission or study;
a housing and registration document, if needed for the calculation;
information about income and assets;
documents from parents or a spouse, if the calculation depends on family;
proof of health insurance, if the relevant supplement is included;
a passport and residence-status documents for international students;
documents on previous education, if they affect eligibility.

The exact list depends on your situation. The BAföG-Amt may request additional certificates, translations, or explanations.

When to submit documents

It is best to apply as early as possible, without waiting for a perfect set of documents. If some certificates are missing, you can often submit them later. An important practical point is that BAföG is generally not paid retroactively for months before the application is filed, so delaying your application can cost you money.

If your studies have already started, do not postpone applying simply because your parents have not yet collected their income documents or you are waiting for one certificate. File the application first, then clarify the missing details with the authority.

Repaying the loan portion

University students repay only the loan part of BAföG. It is interest-free, and the total repayment amount is limited by law. Payments do not begin immediately after studies end: first, the Bundesverwaltungsamt sends a notification stating the amount, deadlines, and payment options.

If your income after graduation is low, a deferral or changed payment schedule may be possible. When planning your finances, it is therefore important to distinguish BAföG from a regular bank loan: it is state support with separate repayment rules, not a commercial loan.

What to check before applying

Before submitting an application, answer a few questions:

Is your programme eligible for BAföG?
Is this your first course of education, or do you have a previous degree?
Did you begin your studies before the relevant age limit, or does an exception apply?
What is your Aufenthaltstitel, and does it provide eligibility for support?
Do you have income, savings, a spouse, or parents whose details will affect the calculation?
Which Amt für Ausbildungsförderung is responsible for you?
Did you apply early enough to avoid losing months of payments?

BAföG can provide substantial support, but the rules depend on the details. For a standard case, completing the application carefully is enough; for international students, a second degree, or a non-standard status, it is better to obtain advice from the BAföG-Amt or Studierendenwerk in advance.