Study start-up aid

Many costs are incurred when starting university: buying a laptop or tablet, learning materials or paying the rent deposit. In order to make it easier for first-year students from low-income families to start their studies, the federal government is expected to pay a student start-up grant from the winter semester 2024/25.

How much?

• 1,000 € one-off
• as a gift (does not have to be repaid)
• The study start-up grant can be applied for regardless of any subsequent BAföG entitlement and is not offset against BAföG.

Who is it for?

• You are under 25 years old AND
• you are enrolled for the first time in a full-time degree programme at a university or academy AND
  
• you have received one of these benefits in the month before the start of your studies, for example:
  • Citizen's allowance (SGB II)
  • Social assistance (SGB XII)
  • Basic income support for old age and reduced earning capacity (SGB XII)
  • Benefits according to the social compensation law for living expenses (SGB XIV)
  • Supplementary assistance for living expenses in accordance with Section 145 (1) of the Fourteenth Book of the Social Code in conjunction with Section 27a of the Federal Pension Act (SGB XIV)
  • Child supplement (≠ child benefit)
  • Housing benefit
  • Benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act
  • a child and youth welfare benefit specified in Section 91 (1) of Book Eight of the German Social Code

How do I submit the application?

• You must have a Bund ID to apply for student start-up assistance. You can find out how to obtain this on the BAföG Digital website.
• The application can be submitted via BAföG Digital from 02.09.2024.
• An application for study start aid can only be submitted by the end of the month following the month in which the course begins. For example, if the winter semester at the university begins on 1 October, you can submit the application by 30 November.
• If you have any content-related or technical problems, you can contact the BAföG Service Hotline. You can reach them Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on 0800-223 63 41.

Further information on the new study start-up grant can be found at bafög.de.

Apply for start-up aid