BAföG - 29th BAföG Amendment Act
The main BAföG changes for students from fall 2024
From the winter semester 2024/2025, the 29th BAföG Amendment Act (BAföGÄndG) will be implemented. Anyone who has not previously received BAföG funding could now receive BAföG from the winter semester 2024/2025 on. Both the allowances and the rates of need will be increased. Study start-up aid, which can be applied for independently of BAföG, is being introduced for the first time. We have summarized this and other changes below.
1. Increase in BAföG income allowances by 5.25%
By increasing the allowances for income, more students should receive BAföG. These allowances determine how much students are allowed to earn so that they can still receive BAföG benefits.
2. Increase in BAföG basic requirement rates by 5%
The BAföG basic requirement increases by 5% from 452€ to 475€.
3. Increase in the BAföG housing requirement
The BAföG housing requirement for students who do not live with their parents will increase from 360€ to 380€.
4. BAföG health and long-term care insurance supplements will be updated
The supplements will be increased, but will vary depending on the age and type of insurance of the BAföG recipients.
How high will the BAföG benefit rates be?
The new allowances and requirement rates will apply from the start of the winter semester 2024/2025 for new BAföG grants, and for continued funding from October 2024 at the latest.
There are staggered rates of need depending on insurance contributions - as well as the type of accommodation.
From Fall 2024:
| Health and long-term care insurance | Age | in Germany or within the EU | |
| living away from home | living with parents | ||
| without own insurance contributions, because of family insurance | up to 24 (Extension for previously voluntary services) | 812€ -> 855€ | 511€ -> 534€ |
| with own insurance contributions | up to 29 | 934€ -> 992€ | 633€ -> 671€ |
| own voluntary statutory insurance | from 30 | 1.018€ -> 1.088€ | 717€ -> 767€ |
5. Dynamization of the mini-job limit
Students' mini-jobs are not counted towards BAföG. The mini-job limit, which has been higher since 2024, will be implemented from fall 2024 and the mini-job limit for 2025 will be anticipated. In the future, the respective mini-job limit in BAföG will be implemented without a change in the law by BMBF regulation:
| Minimum wage | Minijob-Limit | Job without deductions for BAföG (every euro more is counted proportionately) | |
| Year 2023 | 12,00 €/h | 520 €/mth. | 520 €/mth. |
| Year 2024 | 12,41 €/h | 538 €/mth. | Until Fall: 520 €/mth. |
| Year 2025 | 12,82 €/h | 556 €/mth. | 556 €/mth. |
6. Maximum duration of BAföG funding is supplemented by a "flexibility semester"
In the future, the maximum BAföG funding period can exceed the standard period of study by one "flexibility semester". This can be used either in the Bachelor's or Master's degree course.
7. Later change of subject until the beginning of the 5th semester
In future, it will be possible to change your subject one semester later, i.e. up to the start of the 5th semester without affecting BAföG funding if there is an important reason. This will create more flexibility for students, counteract drop-outs and at the same time relieve the administration of the burden of subsequent claims and examinations.
8. Disregarding the income of underage siblings
With BAföG, the income of siblings under the age of 18 whose education is not eligible for BAföG is no longer counted towards the increased parental allowance. This reduces the workload for both applicants and the authorities.
9. Introduction of the "Study Start-Up Grant"
Introduction of a one-off study start-up grant of €1,000 for first-time students under the age of 25 as a full grant, provided that one of eight social benefits was received in the month prior to the start of studies. The study start-up grant can be applied for independently of any subsequent BAföG entitlement and is not offset against BAföG.
10. No Tightening of the Repayment Modalities
BAföG repayments will not be tightened. Although the BAföG grant paid out during the course of study can be five times higher, a maximum of 10,010 euros must be repaid without interest depending on income.
Further information on the BAföG-Reform can be found on the BMBF website.