GLOSSARY
A
Training centre
The school or university where you are studying. This is important because the BAföG office will check whether you are eligible for funding.
B
BAföG
The "Federal Training Assistance Act". It regulates state support for pupils and students. In short: BAföG means financial aid so that training and studies do not fail because of money.
Needs rate
The amount you are entitled to each month. It depends, for example, on whether you live with your parents, have children of your own or pay rent.
Notification
The official letter from the BAföG office stating whether and how much BAföG you will receive. It also shows the period for which you will receive funding.
Approval period
This is the period for which you are awarded BAföG - usually twelve months. For the period after this, you must apply for further funding in good time.
D
Loan portion
The part of BAföG that you have to pay back later. It is always interest-free.
E
Income offsetting
Your own income and the income of your parents is partially taken into account to calculate your entitlement to BAföG. However, due to allowances, the offsetting is often less than you might think.
Income allowances
Parts of your income that are not taken into account in the calculation. For example, if your parents have other children to look after. This increases your chance of receiving BAföG.
Parent-dependent BAföG
In most cases, the calculation takes into account how much your parents earn. The income determines whether you receive full funding or less.
BAföG independent of parents
In some cases, your parents' income does not count - e.g. if you have been working for a long time, have completed an apprenticeship or are already 30 or older. In this case, only your own income and assets are taken into account.
F
Funding amount
The amount you receive each month as BAföG. It is made up of various parts (e.g. basic requirements, housing supplement, allowances).
Maximum funding period
This is how long you can receive BAföG for your degree programme. It usually corresponds to the standard period of study. After that, you can apply for an extension under certain conditions (e.g. illness, semester abroad).
K
Childcare allowance
If you look after your own children under the age of 14, a childcare allowance will be taken into account in your BAföG calculation.
Health and long-term care insurance supplement
If you have to take out health and long-term care insurance yourself, you will receive a supplement to cover your insurance costs.
L
Proof of performance (§ 48 BAföG)
After the 4th semester, you have to prove that you have achieved enough in your degree programme (e.g. ECTS points). This is how you show that you are "sticking with it" in your studies - and continue to receive BAföG.
R
Repayment
You only have to pay back half of the BAföG - interest-free. Repayment begins five years after graduation at the earliest and is capped at a maximum of €10,010.
S
Deferment
If you earn little after your studies, you can defer your repayments temporarily. Then you only have to continue paying later.
V
Asset allowance
Your own assets are taken into account in the BAföG calculation. However, part of it remains free (currently several thousand euros). Only when you have more will it be taken into account.
Advance payments
If your parents do not want to submit their documents, you can still receive BAföG. In this case, you must apply for an advance payment. The best way to do this is to seek advice from the BAföG office.
W
Appeal
If you do not agree with your decision, you should first ask the person responsible for your case and have the decision explained to you. You have the right to lodge an objection in writing within one month of notification. The office will then review your case.
Housing supplement
If you no longer live with your parents, but in your own flat or shared flat, you will receive a higher BAföG rate for the rent.
Z
Grant portion
The part of BAföG that you receive as a gift. You do not have to pay this back.