BAföG - the easiest way to finance your studies!

BAföG (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act)

BAföG (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) is a federal subsidized student loan program providing financial assistance to students. Students who qualify for BAföG receive a monthly amount of money during the course of their studies to help meet the cost of living. In return, the student repays this sum in installments five years after her/his graduation.


Please note that most international students are not eligible for BAföG. Students who wish to receive BAföG must meet the following requirements:

• be low-income and/or come from a low-income family (as outlined in the BAföG mandate),
• be married to a German citizen,
• be a German citizen, or
• permanent resident in Germany (student status does not qualify), or
• a refugee, stateless individual or person in political asylum (as defined by the government), or
• an EU or EEC citizen who resided permanently in Germany or who pursued employment or vocational training in Germany prior to beginning her/his studies in Germany
• However, in this last case, the student’s former employment or training must be related to her/his present field of study

If you feel you may qualify for BAföG, please confer the German BAföG pages for more information.

To international students financial assistance is available in the form of short-term loans and final degree loans. Please confer the corresponding web page.