The following criteria apply and will influence the decision on whether to approve the application:

• Financial need: Neither the student nor their parents or spouse may exceed a certain income threshold.
• Age: Eligibility generally applies if students commence their degree programme before reaching the age of 40 and their subsequent Master’s programme before reaching the age of 45.
  • Exceeding the age limit may be permitted in certain circumstances if a disability or illness makes studying necessary or prevents the student from commencing their studies on time. Even if applicants have obtained their university entrance qualification through adult education, exceeding the age limit may be permitted for admission.
  • Applicants are only entitled to BAföG if they commence their studies immediately after the obstacles have ceased to exist or after they become ‘in need’ (Section 10(3), third sentence, of the BAföG). This means, for example, that prospective students who have undergone prolonged hospital stays and/or rehabilitation must submit an application for a place on a course in their chosen subject area as soon as they are able to study.
• Eligibility: In addition to German citizens as defined by the Basic Law, there are a number of cases in which foreign nationals are also entitled to BAföG.

As soon as possible.

It is best to submit your application immediately after receiving your place at university, even if some documents are still missing. Retroactive approval is not provided for. You can apply for BAföG either on paper or online. There may be gaps in your funding between the transition from your Bachelor’s to your Master’s degree. The final month of funding expires when the mark for the Bachelor’s degree programme is announced, or at the latest at the end of the second month in which the final part of the examination was taken (Section 15b(3) of the BAföG). Even with just provisional enrolment on the Master’s programme, funding becomes available again; however, this period is counted towards the funding period for the Master’s degree.

If an illness prevents you from continuing your studies for more than 3 months, you must notify the Student Finance Office. From the 4th month onwards, no further payments will be made until you resume your studies. In this case, it may be advisable to take a leave of absence from your studies. You can then apply either for basic income support under SGB II (study breaks due to illness lasting less than 6 months) or for maintenance support under SGB XII (study breaks due to illness lasting more than 6 months).

All students may change their field of study up to the start of the fourth course semester without losing their entitlement to BAföG. The maximum duration of funding will be adjusted. After the fourth course semester, funding may only continue if the change is justified in writing. However, these reasons may affect the amount or duration of funding. Students with disabilities may cite a so-called ‘compelling reason’ – for example, an unexpected illness, allergies or motor disabilities. This must be verified by a doctor or by means of a disability certificate.

If you wish to change your field of study at a later date, there are various grounds for doing so; however, some of these may have a negative impact on the funding as a whole or on the maximum funding period. In any case, a change must be justified in writing.

Students who, due to a disability or illness, need to change their course of study or field of study at a later date may cite a so-called ‘compelling reason’. This is also possible at Master’s level.

An irrefutable reason may, for example, be an unexpected illness, the onset of allergies, or a mental or physical disability. This must be verified by a doctor or by means of a severe disability certificate. If a change is made for an irrefutable reason, BAföG is paid as standard support (grant/interest-free loan).

The following points must be observed without fail:

• You must initiate the change of subject area without delay as soon as the ‘compelling reason’ allows
• Be sure to seek individual advice!
• Apply to your local Student Finance Office for a preliminary decision

BAFöG is paid only for the standard period of study for a study programme. Exceptions to this rule include, however, cases where the duration of study is extended due to a disability (Section 15(3)(5) of the BAföG) or where there are ‘serious reasons’ (Section 15(3)(1) of the BAföG) – for example, a serious illness.

If this is foreseeable, the relevant application must be submitted before the standard funding period expires. To this end, it must also be demonstrated that the delay in studies is due to the illness or disability. Ideally, however, students should provide evidence of such extensions whilst still studying, and in the best-case scenario before the assessment due at the end of the fourth academic semester.

The following evidence is required: proof of the disability or illness, as well as proof of the specific impact on the course of study and the actual time lost. In order to be able to provide this evidence retrospectively across several semesters, students should keep a regular record, from the start of their studies, of when and why delays related to their impairment have occurred. Any compensation for disadvantage received should also be listed.

If the request for compensation for disadvantage is rejected and an extension of funding on the grounds of a disability is not possible, there is still the option of receiving up to 12 months’ further education funding for the purpose of completing a degree, even after the maximum funding period has ended (Section 15(3a) of the BAföG). However, this provision can only be invoked if the standard duration of study has not been exceeded by more than four months and the degree can be completed in the near future (i.e. within the next 12 months). Unlike the standard BAföG, this is merely an interest-free loan which must be repaid in full.

We strongly recommend that you seek individual advice (including legal advice) in such cases!

When determining the income of parents, spouses or civil partners, verifiable additional expenses arising from a disability may be claimed on the grounds of exceptional financial burdens (Section 25(6) of the BAföG). In this context, not only a disability of the applicant but also, where applicable, that of parents, spouses or partners may be taken into account.

Students are entitled to an asset allowance. The amount exempt from calculation is increased for trainees who are married or in a registered civil partnership, as well as for those with children. Students with disabilities can submit an application to their relevant BAföG office to avoid undue hardship and, in exceptional cases, be granted a higher asset allowance.

The monthly BAföG payments are based on standard rates laid down by law. These standard rates do not cover the additional costs arising from disability or illness during a student’s studies. However, there are various ways for students to obtain financial assistance to cover additional needs arising from disability or illness.

BAföG is awarded as 50 per cent interest-free loan and 50 per cent non-repayable grant until the maximum funding period is reached. Repayment usually begins five years after the end of the maximum funding period and can be made in instalments.

The interest-free BAföG loan must be repaid up to a maximum of €10,000, even if a higher amount was paid out during the course of study.

An exemption from repayment (deferral of payments) is possible, for example if the graduate’s income falls below a certain threshold. Increased additional expenses due to a disability can also be claimed via an application for hardship relief. If you are having difficulty repaying the instalments, you should seek individual advice from BAföG advisers at an early stage.