What is Bafög? Financial Aid for Students in Germany

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Studying abroad can be an enriching experience, but it can also be a costly one. As a German student planning to study abroad as a freemover, you may be wondering how to finance your studies. Fortunately, there is a government program that can provide financial assistance to eligible students. The Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, commonly known as Bafög, is a federal training assistance act that provides financial support to German students pursuing higher education abroad.

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What is Bafög?

Bafög is a financial aid program provided by the German government to eligible students who need financial assistance to pursue their studies abroad. The program is intended to help cover the cost of living and studying while enrolled in a foreign university or other institution of higher education. Bafög provides a combination of grants and loans to eligible students to help alleviate the financial burden of studying abroad.

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There is a difference between domestic BAföG and BAföG abroad.

• There is BAföG for everyone taking advantage of a stay abroad and who is basically eligible for funding.

• The extent to which the time away from home can be funded depends on the host country and the type of stay (legal basis are § 5 and § 16 BAföG)

• Within the European Union and in Switzerland, training at vocational schools, technical colleges, higher technical schools, academies, and universities can be funded from the beginning up to the acquisition of the foreign training qualification.

• For stays abroad outside the EU, BAföG is available for up to one year - if there are special reasons, even up to two and a half years.

• Anyone doing an exchange at a partner university can receive BAföG for the entire period.

• Financial support abroad is also available for students during their compulsory internship if the internship lasts at least twelve weeks.

• Students at grammar schools, comprehensive schools as well as technical or technical colleges may receive BAföG during their school year abroad.

• Those who do not receive domestic BAföG because their parents' income is too high in Germany can still apply for funding for the stay abroad. The funding amounts are higher for abroad, so that support may be possible there.

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Bafög Eligibility Requirements?

To be eligible for Bafög as a freemover, there are several requirements you need to fulfil:

• German citizenship or permanent residency in Germany

• Enrollment in an approved program at a foreign university or other institution of higher education

• Demonstration of financial need, which is determined by factors such as the student's income and the income of their parents or spouse

• Satisfactory academic progress

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It's essential to note that the requirements for Bafög differ slightly depending on your individual situation. For example, if you're married, divorced, or have children, additional requirements may apply.

How much financial support can students receive?

The amount of financial support that a student can receive through Bafög depends on several factors, including the cost of living in the country where they are studying and the income of their parents or spouse. Currently, the maximum amount of financial support that a student can receive is €861 per month. This amount is adjusted annually according to inflation. In addition to financial support, Bafög also provides students with health insurance coverage and other benefits.

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What does Bafög support?

Even if you do not receive BAföG in Germany, it is worthwhile to apply for a BAföG for the planned training stay abroad. In addition to the domestic demand rates, surcharges are also paid!

The surcharges are also paid half as a grant and the other half as an interest-free loan, for:

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• Travel costs: within Europe for a round trip each flat rate of 250 euros;
  outside Europe for a round trip, a flat rate of 500 euros each

• possible additional costs of health insurance (monthly up to the amount of the health insurance surcharge according to § 13a BAföG)

• higher living costs for students outside the EU and Switzerland. Depending on the country, different foreign surcharges are paid.

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If tuition fees are charged at the foreign university, up to 5,600 euros can be paid as a grant for a maximum of one year. For this, however, you have to prove that the studies can only be carried out at the selected university and that you have tried to waive or reduce the tuition fees.

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Attention: An independent application is required for the BAföG abroad - regardless of the application for the BAföG in Germany. This application must be submitted to one of the 18 BAföG foreign OFFICES. Which office is responsible depends on the country in which you want to study.

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Note: A maximum of two semesters abroad are not counted towards the standard period of study in Germany. For this reason, the duration in which you can get BAföG in Germany is not reduced.

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• How much BAföG you get depends, among other things, on the income of your parents, number & status of siblings, but also on how much you work and own assets. following surcharges are paid for the time away:

• for demonstrably necessary tuition fees up to 4,600 euros for a maximum of one year​

• for travel expenses for schoolchildren and students within Europe for an outward and return journey of 250 euros each, outside Europe for an outward and return journey of 500 euros each

• for possible additional costs of health insurance for students 84 € (monthly up to the amount of the health insurance surcharge according to § 13a Abs. 1 BAföG in conjunction with § 5 Foreign Surcharge Ordinance) I remember back in Long Beach I only got 71 €

• for higher living costs for students outside the EU and Switzerland, foreign surcharges depending on the respective country

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How to apply for Bafög?

To apply for financial support through Bafög, students must submit an application to the Bafög office, also known as the Studentenwerk or Amt für Ausbildungsförderung. The application will require information about the student's financial situation, including income, expenses, and assets. The Bafög office will also need proof of enrollment in an approved program of study abroad. It is important to apply early, as the application process can take several weeks to complete.

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If you're a German student planning to study abroad as a freemover, Bafög can provide much-needed financial assistance to help you cover the cost of living and studying while enrolled in a foreign university or other institution of higher education. Eligible students can receive financial support, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements and submit your application in a timely manner. With Bafög, you can focus on your studies and make the most of your study abroad experience.

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• The application for BAföG abroad must be submitted to the responsible international office.

• The application for foreign funding should be submitted at least six months prior to departure. This makes it easier for the International Office to decide on the application in good time and to give the trainees planning security at an early stage.