1. How soon can I file my first application for a grant? Which documents must I submit?
You can file your first application as soon as you have been confirmed for the study place, for which you have applied.
In general, no specific form is required for your application. For processing your application, we will need the following:
• Form 1;
• Proof of health insurance;
• Rental cost agreement, if applicable, or copy of lease;
• Proof of income and assets;
• Attachment 1 to form 1;
• Instead of form 2:
Confirmation of university pursuant to Sec. 9 BAföG;
• Form 3 (one each for father, mother, spouse – except for BaföG granted independently of parents);
• Income tax statement of parents, two years prior to application;
• Proof of school attendance or income of brothers or sisters;
• Form 4 (only for first applications of foreign nationals);
• Copy of passport and resident certificate.
2. How long will it take to process an application? When will payments start?
We try and send you the first request letter as soon as possible after receipt of your application. Once we have received all necessary documents, we can enter your application into our payment system. The last day for effecting payment at the end of a month is the 15th day of such month.
We, the Studentenwerk Stuttgart, have no influence on the payment mode.
3. When will I have to apply for continuance of grants?
You should file your application for continuance of grants by the end of the month following the end of approved period in order to continue to receive grants.
If you file a basically complete application (Application forms, proof of health insurance, rental cost agreement, proof of assets, proof of parent's income, if applicable, transcript of records for the 5th semester - proof of your income, certificate of enrolment, proof of your brothers' or sisters' income may be filed later) two months prior to the end of the approved period, you will receive advance payments in the amount of the former amount of the grant, without any disruption in payments.
4. How long will I receive BAföG?
In general, you will be entitled to grants until the end of the maximum grant period which is basically in accordance with the regular study period for your course of study. The maximum grant period is stated in your approval notification.
Under certain conditions (for example due to pregnancy or raising of a child, committee or board activities or other serious reasons) grants may be paid beyond such maximum grant period.
If you do not fulfil such requirements you may still be entitled to an interest-bearing bank loan to finish your studies.
For details regarding these two options for grants beyond the maximum grant period, speak with your counsellor.
5. Are there any specific grants for students raising children?
Students with one or more children up to the age of 10 living in their household will receive a child raising allowance in the amount of Euro 113 for the first child and Euro 85 for each additional child.
A separate application is not required; you must only fill in attachment 2 of form 1, sign it and file it with us.
6. How much BAföG can I receive? How are BAföG payments calculated?
Currently, the following rates apply:
• BAföG consists of a basic requirement amount of Euro 333;
• Plus Euro 44, if the applicant lives with his/her parents, or
• Plus Euro 133, if the applicant does not live with his/her parents.
The rates will be increased by
• Up to Euro 47, if the applicant has its own health insurance;
• And Euro 8 for its own long term care insurance.
An increased rate of up to Euro 64 is paid if it can be proved that rent is higher than Euro 133.
Therefore, the maximum rate totals to Euro 585.
For grant periods starting in August 2008 (and from October 2008 for all), the following rates apply:
• Basic requirement of Euro 366,
• Plus Euro 48, if the applicant lives with his/her parents, or
• plus Euro 146, if the applicant does not live with his/her parents.
The rates will be increased by
• Up to Euro 50 (from March 2009: Euro 54) with own health insurance,
• Up to Euro 9 (from March 2009: Euro 10) with own long term care insurance.
An increased rate of up to Euro 72 is paid if it can be proved that rent is higher than Euro 146.
Therefore, the maximum rate totals to Euro 643 (from March 2009: Euro 648).
Such calculation does not include the child raising allowance (see question 5 above). - above maximum requirement may even be higher in such cases.
Child benefits are not considered income of the parents. If you receive child benefits of Euro 154, you may have up to Euro 739 (from autumn 2008 Euro 797) to finance your studies.
The amount to which you are entitled depends on your financial standing and mainly on your parent's income. When calculating your requirement, your income and the assets and the income of your parents or your spouse will be taken into consideration, in accordance with the BAföG regulations. In exceptional cases, study grants are paid independent of the parents, for example, if at the start of the studies, the student has already completed vocational training or has been working for a lengthier period of time.
7. What can I do if my parents do not provide the necessary information or do not provide the funds in accordance with their income?
In such cases, you may file an application for advance payments with the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung (study grant office). For this, you fill in form 8 and file it with the office.
You must show credibly that one or both parents do not provide the necessary information or do not provide the funds as calculated in the grant notification, thus compromising your education.
Your education is not compromised if you receive other payments to finance your studies (for example from your grand-parents or your spouse) or receive benefits in kind (for example room and board).
8. What specific requirements must be fulfilled in applications from the 5th semester on?
From the 5th semester on, grants will be paid only if you present a transcript of records (form 5) completed and signed by your university.
Such form 5 must be issued after the beginning of the 4th semester and must certify that you have achieved the usual credits so far.
If the university cannot certify this, you may, under certain conditions, be allowed to file form 4 at a later point of time.
9. Which are the rules for changing the branch of study or for withdrawing from university?
There must be an important or peremptory reason for a change in the branch of study or for withdrawing from university.
If a change in the branch of study occurs for the first time or the student withdraws from university before the beginning of the third semester, usually an important reason is deemed to exist.
If the change in the branch of study occurs after the beginning of the third or before the beginning of the forth semester, proof of the important reason must be presented.
An important reasons exists if, for example, the intellectual, psychological or physical capabilities of a student are not sufficient for the studies or for future occupation. Also, a change in the disposition can represent an important reason.
After the beginning of the forth semester a peremptory reason is necessary to continue to receive grants under BAföG.
A peremptory reason exists if the student is left with no choice to switch to another branch or to withdraw from university.
In either case, the withdrawal or the change must be realised immediately after becoming aware of such important or peremptory reason.
10. As a foreign national, can I apply for BAföG? Is there a limit regarding age for applying for BAföG grants?
Students who are foreign nationals may also apply for grants under BAföG. This is usually the case, if they have been residents of Germany for several years.
Please contact your study grant office for further information. For this, also provide a copy of your residence permit.
As a rule, only persons who are under the age of 30 at the beginning of the studies will receive grants.
In some exceptional cases (for example, if entrance requirements have been met only after the age of 30 or due to raising children), grants may be paid even though the student has begun studies after the age of 30.
11. Which changes do I have to report to the BAföG office?
The following changes must be reported to the study grant office:
• Change of place of residence (presentation of the new lease agreement certification);
• Raise in income;
• Taking a sabbatical semester;
• Change or withdrawal from current studies;
• Change in the income of parents: Change of the income situation of your parents;
• Changes with regard to your brothers or sisters;
• End of your studies;
• Changes of the marital status;
• Receipt of benefits for gifted students;
• Changes in the health / long term care insurance
• Retroactive recognition of semesters.
12. Can I receive grants for second degree studies or studies/practicals abroad?
Only in very exceptional cases, benefits may be granted, if, for example the new course of studies is only supplementary and not an independent course of study (if the student needs such additional studies to practice the intended profession) or if such studies provide additional in-depth knowledge in the field of the first course of studies. However, strict prerequisites apply in this case.
For studies or practicals abroad, an application may be filed with the responsible study grant office.
13. Will I have to pay back the granted BAföG benefits?
Half of the BAföG benefits for students are an allowance, that is a "gift". The other half is paid out as a non-interest-bearing loan. Even if in the course of studies, additional loans are used, repayment is limited to Euro 10,000.
Repayment of the loan becomes due upon expiration of the maximum grant period, in instalments of no less than Euro 105. The loan must be repaid within a period of 20 years.
Partial releases may be granted in case of extremely good results in the final examinations or in case of an early completion of the studies.
The Bundesverwaltungsamt is responsible for administration and collection of the loans.