BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) is the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act for university students in Germany. In many cases, non-German citizens studying in Germany are entitled to this grants-and-loans-system. Whether you are eligible depends mainly on the type of your residence title.
General Conditions
In addition to the special conditions applying to non-German students which are described in this info sheet, the basic rules are the same as for Germans:
Students can get BAföG for their first cycle of education, meaning a bachelor‘s and a master‘s degree. If you have already started or completed university education abroad, the BAföG office will check whether you are still entitled to get BAföG.
To be eligible for BAföG, you must be 45 years or younger when enrolling. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
BAföG-funding is needs-based. It is granted if the prospective student’s own financial means or those of his or her parents (or spouse) are insufficient for this purpose. Half of the BAföG financial support is usually a grant, the remaining half an interest-free loan.
There are a few restrictions in the BAföG-system for foreign students regarding the funding of studies in countries other than Germany.
Please note:
Students who are staying in Germany with a residence permit according to sec. 16 of the Residence Act, i. e. exclusively for the purpose of pursuing their academic education, are not eligible for BAföG-funding (unless they fulfill one of the conditions described above at the same time).
We strongly advise international students to contact our office so that we can examine your individual case.