Education funding approval for pupils

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Pupils who can provide evidence of a corresponding need receive funding from the start of their education, but not for periods prior to the application, which is granted as a non-repayable grant.

Training at general and vocational schools (from grade 10) and colleges are eligible for funding.
Funding for attending secondary general education schools and some other schools requires that the student does not live with his/her parents and that accommodation away from home is also necessary, especially as the school attended (or another comparable school) is not accessible from the parents' home.

In the event of need, the amount of the grant depends on the income and assets of the student and - as the grant is generally family-dependent - on the income of the parents and the spouse or registered partner. Insofar as the statutory allowances are exceeded, this is offset against the respective rate of need and reduces the amount of support accordingly.

Training assistance is paid for living expenses and training (the so-called need). The BAföG provides for lump sums as monthly requirements, the amount of which depends on the type of training institution and accommodation (living with parents or living away from home). For trainees with children under the age of 14, a childcare allowance may be granted.

An exact statement as to whether BAföG funding can be expected and, if so, how much, can only be made after a careful examination of all individual requirements by the responsible office.

Information on BAföG from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Responsibility lies with the district and the independent city.

Trainees at evening grammar schools and colleges: Office for educational support of the city or district administration in whose district the educational institution is located
Trainees at technical college classes whose attendance requires completed vocational training: Office for training support of the city or district administration in whose district the trainee has their permanent residence
All other students: Office for educational support of the city or district administration at the parents' place of residence

In certain cases, e.g. if the parents do not have their main place of residence in the same district or independent city as the trainee, the district or independent city in which the trainee has his/her permanent place of residence is also responsible in the latter case.

German citizen
foreign citizen depending on residence status
Maximum age 45 years. However, exceptions to this age limit apply, for example, to second-chance trainees and trainees with children under the age of 14.
Your performance as an apprentice suggests that you will achieve the training objective. However, special aptitude or talent for the chosen apprenticeship is not required. The level of performance deemed sufficient by the respective training regulations is sufficient.
Proof of a need for support for living expenses and training

The application must be submitted in writing to the responsible office. As mentioned above, this can also be done informally. However, nationwide standardized forms must be used for the information required to determine the entitlement.

The forms are provided by the offices for educational grants and can also be printed out from the BMBF website.

If you have a DE-Mail address, you can send the BAföG application directly to the responsible Office for Educational Support. With the electronic signature via DE-Mail, the BAföG application is electronically signed. A handwritten signature is then no longer required.

But even those who do not use DE-Mail technology can benefit from the online portal: Once the application has been completed, it can simply be saved in PDF format, printed out, signed by hand and scanned and sent to the BAföG office by normal e-mail. The documents can of course also be sent by post or fax. Again, the application is only complete and can only be finalized if all necessary documents are enclosed.

Proof of income (for the trainee for the approval period, for the parents in particular tax assessment from the calendar year before last)
In addition, various other necessary documents

There are no fees.

The application can be made by the pupil themselves or by their legal representatives when they reach the age of 15.

You will receive written notification of the decision. If the decision is positive, the payments will be transferred monthly in advance to the specified account.

A decision on benefits under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) is usually made for one school year. After that, you must submit a new application. The exact approval period for your funding can be found in the notification.

The training grant is paid at the earliest from the beginning of the month in which the training begins, but not retroactively, but only once an application has been submitted.
An informal application can also be submitted initially in order to meet the deadline. The official forms and other documents can then be submitted at a later date.

Pupils with a training contract for in-company training are not entitled to BAföG benefits (not even for the accompanying vocational school lessons). They can apply for a vocational training allowance (BAB) at the relevant employment office.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) provides further comprehensive information on BAföG on its website, in particular on the eligibility requirements, the forms to be completed as part of the application and the relevant offices for training assistance.

A free hotline set up by the BMBF together with the German Student Union is also available to answer questions. The BAföG hotline can be reached on 0800-223 63 41 Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm.