What improvements have been made to BAföG?
- The basic BAföG rates will be increased by five percent.
- The flat-rate housing allowance for students and pupils living away from home will be increased from 360 to 380 euros.
- Young people from low-income households are now entitled to a one-off study start-up grant of 1,000 euros when starting a degree course. This is granted as a subsidy and does not have to be repaid.
- The allowances on the income of parents and spouses or partners of those receiving the grant will be increased by a total of 5.25 percent. The allowances that apply to loan repayments will also be increased by a total of 5.25 percent.
- The allowance for the recipient's own income will be adjusted so that they can earn up to the amount of a so-called mini-job without it being offset against their BAföG entitlement.
- A so-called flexibility semester will be introduced, giving all students the one-off opportunity to continue receiving BAföG for one semester beyond the maximum funding period without giving reasons. This makes it possible, for example, to concentrate fully on the final thesis, even if the formal standard period of study is slightly exceeded.
- In future, it will also be possible to change subjects a little later in your studies without any negative consequences for your BAföG entitlement.
Source: Federal Government