Reform comes into force: More money for BAföG recipients

Anyone who is dependent on state support for their studies or training will receive more money from today. Is that enough to make ends meet? And what else should change?

How much money will students and trainees get in the future?

For students, the maximum subsidy rate increases from 427 to 452 euros per month. Those who no longer live with their parents will in future receive 360 ​​instead of 325 euros for the rent. For students, Pupils and trainees increase the rates to 632 euros.

Due to the rising heating costs, BAföG recipients will receive a one-time grant of 230 euros for the 2021/2022 heating period. This is intended to relieve students and trainees who no longer live at home. The heating cost surcharge does not have to be applied for separately. Anyone who was funded for at least one month between October 2021 and March 2022 is eligible.

What is changing with the allowances and how much assets may applicants have?

With higher allowances for parental income, Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) wants to support more people in their education. Therefore, 2415 euros of the parental income per month will remain exempt from deductions. That is 20.75 percent more than before. In addition, it is now also possible to start training later with state aid. The age limit was raised from 30 to 45 years. Applicants can now have more assets of their own and still receive BAföG. For under 30-year-olds it is 15,000 euros, for those over 30 it is 45,000 euros.

Is it now easier to apply?

Many students and trainees complain that the application process has been too complicated so far. This should now be easier. It has been possible to apply for BAföG online for quite some time. But until now, the documents had to be printed out, signed and sent to the responsible office for training grants. In the future it should be enough to look up BAföG digital set up an account and only send the application digitally. However, this does not solve the problem that many offices lack staff for the verification and that processing applications often takes months. If, as expected, more people apply for government subsidies, the situation threatens to worsen.

Why is there criticism of the BAföG amendment?

The German Student Union welcomes the higher allowances and requirement rates. But the federal government must quickly follow up, especially when it comes to the requirement rates, says Secretary General Matthias Anbuhl. “The current increase of 5.75 percent is actually being eaten up again by inflation. The requirement rates would have to be increased by at least 10 percent so that the students don’t suffer a loss of purchasing power.”

That’s how Nicole Gohlke from the left-wing faction in the Bundestag sees it. She calls the reform an “air number”. A comprehensive structural reform is needed to increase the number of beneficiaries. Nevertheless, the left of the amendment agreed to once.

Union and the AFD voted against it. The CSU education politician Katrin Staffler calls it a “reform” that falls short. The AfD faction complains that over 30-year-olds no longer have to be supported in initial training. And those who have so much money on the high edge are not in need of help, says their education policy spokesman Götz Frömming.

The Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband sees the danger that more and more students will become poor. In May the published parity a studyaccording to which every third student is poor.

Among other things, the parity demands a rent supplement. Especially in larger cities, 360 euros is not even enough for a room in a shared flat.

What else is planned?

The traffic light coalition is planning further reforms of BAföG, which has been in place since 1971. An “emergency mechanism” is planned for times of crisis. During the corona pandemic, many students lost their part-time job and got into financial difficulties. In future crisis situations, trainees and students should be better protected in the future. In the medium term, there should be a complete restart for BAföG. The goal is then parent-independent support.