BAföG for International Students: State Financial Aid & Student Grants in Germany

BAföG (short for Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) is the federal financial training assistance program designed to ensure that all talented individuals in Germany can afford a university education, regardless of their family’s financial background.

While BAföG is primarily aimed at German citizens, many international students and foreign residents also qualify for monthly funding!

Here is a guide to BAföG funding amounts, foreign eligibility criteria, and repayment terms.

What is BAföG and How Much Do You Get?

BAföG is a combination of a 50% state grant (free money) and a 50% interest-free state loan.

  • Maximum Monthly Payout: Up to €934 to €992 per month (depending on age, housing costs, and health insurance status).
  • Repayment Terms:
    • You only ever repay the 50% loan portion.
    • The maximum total repayment amount is capped at €10,010, regardless of how much total funding you received!
    • Repayment starts 5 years after completing your degree, with interest-free installment options structured around your income.

Can International Students Get BAföG?

Foreign students are eligible for BAföG if they have long-term prospects of staying in Germany.

Who Qualifies?

  1. EU/EEA Citizens: Qualified if you have worked in Germany before or during your studies (e.g., as a Werkstudent) with a relation to your field of study, or after living legally in Germany for 5+ years.
  2. Permanent Residents (Niederlassungserlaubnis): Holders of German permanent residency qualify under the exact same rules as German citizens.
  3. Recognized Refugees & Political Asylum Seekers: Fully eligible immediately upon recognition.
  4. Spouses & Children of German/EU Citizens: Eligible based on family connection rights.
  5. Non-EU Students with Work History: Non-EU citizens who worked legally in Germany for at least 5 years prior to starting university, or whose parents worked in Germany for 3 of the last 5 years.

Note: International students holding a temporary 16b student visa who moved directly from abroad solely for university studies do not qualify for BAföG initially and must use a Sperrkonto / Blocked Account.

How to Apply for BAföG

  1. Submit Application Early: Submit your forms to your university’s student service organization (Studierendenwerk / BAföG-Amt) as soon as you receive your enrollment letter (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung).
  2. Use BAföG-Digital: Fill out the standardized digital application via the official government portal bafoeg-digital.de.
  3. Required Proof:
    • Identity documents and residence permit.
    • Proof of parents’ tax declarations from two years prior (or proof of your own independent work history).
    • Bank account details for monthly deposits.

Alternative Financing for International Students

If you are ineligible for BAföG, explore these financial alternatives:

  • DAAD Scholarships: Merit-based stipends for outstanding international applicants.
  • Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month awarded by universities, split between government and private corporate sponsors.
  • KfW Student Loan (KfW-Studienkredit): Low-interest bank loans for German and EU students.

Plan your university journey by exploring our guide on Tuition-Free Public Universities in Germany!