Grant aid for higher education (Bafög) now at lowest point since 2000
The German coalition government, comprising the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, and FDP, has committed to increasing support levels under BAföG, the federal educational support programme, as part of their 2021-2025 coalition agreement. The changes aim to better reflect living costs and support student financial independence.
According to the latest data, most BAföG recipients are under 25 and do not live with their parents. The proposed changes include an increase in the monthly housing cost allowance, which is set to reach 440 euros by the winter semester 2026/2027. However, the specific details of these changes are yet to be revealed in the coalition agreement.
In the previous year, the BAföG recipient count saw a slight rise in 2022 and 2023 before a decrease in 2023. The number of students receiving BAföG was 483,800, making up the majority, with 21% being pupils. Women accounted for 59% of recipients, while men made up 41%.
The average monthly BAföG support per recipient was 635 euros in 2023, a slight decrease from the previous year's 640 euros. However, the federal spending on BAföG support decreased by 9%, totalling 3.1 billion euros in 2023.
The BAföG reform also introduced a one-time financial grant of 1,000 euros, the "Study Start Allowance," for the winter semester 2024/2025. In 2024, 10,700 people received this allowance, with the federal government spending 10.7 million euros on it.
However, both the German Student Union and the German Trade Union Confederation have expressed concerns about the adequacy of BAföG funding. Stefan Grob, spokesman for the German Student Union, stated that BAföG has been stagnating for a long time and is too low and reaches too few students. Elke Hannack, deputy chairwoman of the German Trade Union Confederation, echoed this sentiment, stating that the funding amounts do not cover the actual need.
The German Student Union calls for BAföG to be higher, simpler, and more digital. As the coalition government continues to work on implementing these changes, it is hoped that BAföG will better support students and pupils in their pursuit of education.
The German Student Union and the German Trade Union Confederation have emphasized the need for better financing in the BAföG program, with concerns that the current funding is insufficient and not reaching a significant number of students. To address these concerns, it's crucial for the coalition government to consider increasing the funding for BAföG, possibly incorporating it into their strategies for both finance and education-and-self-development.
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