Applying for a grant under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) - Students
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Schule, Ausbildung und Studium
Under the BAföG, individual educational assistance is granted if students do not otherwise have the necessary means to support themselves and their education. This is intended to enable individuals - irrespective of their family's economic situation - to pursue the education they have chosen according to their interests and abilities. The aim is to open up comparable educational opportunities for all students.
Basic information
The aim of training assistance under the Federal Act on the Individual Promotion of Training (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG) is to give young people the opportunity to pursue a higher education that matches their abilities and interests, irrespective of their social and economic situation.
Training assistance is provided for living expenses and training. The monthly need is flat-rate and depends on the accommodation (living with parents or living away from home). The student's income and assets, the income of the parents and, if applicable, the income of the spouse/registered partner are offset against the need.
Non-parental support is only granted under certain conditions.
Support is granted for the duration of the standard period of study, from the fifth semester onwards only if the required level of performance is achieved (exceptions are possible).
BAföG is generally granted for 1 year ("approval period").
As a rule, the support is provided
half as a grant
half as an interest-free state loan.
Repayment of the loan portion begins 5 years after the end of the standard period of study.
In certain cases, however, the funding is provided in full as an interest-bearing bank loan under private law (e.g. assistance for graduation after the end of the standard period of study).
Requirements
Educational support is provided for studies at the following universities:
- University of Bremen
- Bremen University of Applied Sciences
- Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences
- Bremen University of the Arts
- Jacobs University Bremen
- University of Public Administration Bremen
- APOLLON private distance learning college of health management
Training assistance is also granted for the completion of an internship which is required in connection with attendance at the above-mentioned training institutions and the content of which is regulated in training regulations.
Entitlement to training grants is also dependent on personal requirements such as age, aptitude and nationality.
In addition to German nationals, foreign trainees can also receive support under certain conditions.
Whether the personal requirements are met in the individual case and justify an entitlement to training assistance can only be determined with binding effect by means of an application procedure.
