BAföG changes

Get started with your BAföG

BAföG is the most important pillar of state education funding. For more than 50 years, it has enabled many people to obtain a qualified education and thus better career opportunities. The BAföG reform is a central measure from the coalition agreement. Following the first BAföG reform in 2022, further important steps are now being realised.

This is new from winter semester 2024/2025:

Increase in the basic BAföG benefit by 5 % and the housing requirement
Higher subsidies for health and long-term care insurance
Increase in BAföG allowances by 5.25 per cent
Change of specialisation possible for longer without affecting BAföG
Introduction of a flexibility semester
Introduction of study start-up aid

The exact effects are shown in the table below under "Figures and data".

29th BAföG Amendment Act

1,000 € study start-up grant when starting a degree programme

First-year students under the age of 25 who are part of a benefit community can apply for a one-off start-up grant of €1,000.

Application expected to be possible from September 2024 exclusively via www.bafög-digital.de

Preconditions:

First-time enrolment at a university in Germany, in a member state of the EU or in Switzerland
Starting a full-time degree programme
Under 25 years of age at the start of the training period
Social benefits received in the month before the start of training
Application by 30 November or 31 May (for the summer semester)

The grant is independent of whether funding can be awarded for the degree programme in accordance with BAföG.

For subsequent applications

Introduction of the flexibility semesters

The flexibility semester is intended to extend the funding period beyond the maximum funding period. It can be used once per person during their study career - i.e. either in the Bachelor's or Master's programme - and is provided as standard funding, i.e. half grant and half loan.

The flexibility semester must immediately follow the end of the maximum funding period or the extended funding period and is only granted upon application.

CAUTION - The application must be expressly for a flexibility semester.

Change of specialisation

In the event of an immediate change of specialisation by the beginning of the fourth semester, the existence of an important reason is assumed. If the other requirements are met, BAföG can be received for the new degree programme until the end of the maximum funding period.
The deadline for changing subject areas without prejudice to funding for good cause has been extended by one semester. It can now take place up to the start of the fifth semester.

Figures and data

New from winter semester 2024/2025

The main changes include a 5% increase in the BAföG basic requirement, an increase in the BAföG housing requirement, an increase in subsidies for health and long-term care insurance and a 5.25% increase in BAföG allowances.

Further information

FAQ on the BAföG reform 2024