BAföG (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) is a federally subsidized student loan program providing financial assistance to students. Students who qualify for BAföG receive a monthly amount of money throughout the course of their studies to help meet their costs of living. In return, the student repays this sum in instalments, starting 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 seeking political asylum (as defined by the government), or
• an EU 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 vocational training must be related to her/his present field of study.

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

Financial assistance is available for international students in the form of short-term loans loans and graduation loans. Please consult the corresponding web page.