German Government funding options
Government funding programs (BAföG & more)
BAföG ("Federal Training Assistance Act") the traditional form of student financial aid in Germany and is generally more affordable than any student loan. With only a few exceptions, this form of funding is exclusively available to German nationals and “Bildungsinländer", not for international students.
The maximum funding amount is currently €992 per month (with additional income of up to €603 permitted). For students of Frankfurt School who wish to apply for BAföG, the Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main is the responsible authority. Detailed information can be found on the following two websites.
Federal Assistance for Studying Abroad ("Auslands-BAföG")
Eligibility
Under certain conditions, some German students of Frankfurt School may be eligible for "Auslands-BAföG" even if they are not entitled to BAföG for studies in their home country. One mandatory requirement, for example, is invoicing by a foreign university (which is not the case for ERASMUS and Frankfurt School exchange programs).
International students are generally not eligible for funding.
Information and Application
Information, forms and the addresses of the relevant educational funding offices can be found here.
Financial support
Up to €5,600 in tuition fees are reimbursed. This amount does not have to be repaid.
In addition, a travel allowance is provided (€250 for EU countries and Switzerland, €500 for non-EU countries).
There are also additional benefits for health insurance and country-specific monthly allowances.
50% of the granted allowances (travel and health insurance allowances) must be repaid after the period abroad.
Federal Assistance for Studying Abroad ("Auslands-BAföG")
Eligibility
Under certain conditions, some German students of Frankfurt School may be eligible for "Auslands-BAföG" even if they are not entitled to BAföG for studies in their home country. One mandatory requirement, for example, is invoicing by a foreign university (which is not the case for ERASMUS and Frankfurt School exchange programs).
International students are generally not eligible for funding.
Information and Application
Information, forms and the addresses of the relevant educational funding offices can be found here.
Financial support
Up to €5,600 in tuition fees are reimbursed. This amount does not have to be repaid.
In addition, a travel allowance is provided (€250 for EU countries and Switzerland, €500 for non-EU countries).
There are also additional benefits for health insurance and country-specific monthly allowances.
50% of the granted allowances (travel and health insurance allowances) must be repaid after the period abroad.
Education loan from BVA
The Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt, BVA) offers an education loan for German students in an advanced stage of their studies (bachelor’s programs after successful completion of the second semester, and master’s programs).
Funding is provided in monthly installments of €100, €200, or €300, is limited to a maximum of 24 months, and is granted regardless of the income of the students, their parents, or their spouses.
A one-time special payment of up to €3,600 for study-related expenses (e.g. tuition fees, study materials) is possible. The loan can be used in addition to BAföG and is granted until the end of the month in which the student turns 36 years old.
