Study financing options

Information about BAföG, loans, emergency aid and jobs

Application for federal educational assistance according to BAföG*

Send your BAföG application to the "Amt für Ausbildungsförderung" (office for educational assistance). You can also go there to receive advice on financing your studies. The "Bedarfssätze" (calculated monthly amounts) are based on financial need. The maximum amount awarded is 934 euros per month (from 10/2024 on 992 euros per month).

Forms (in German) for your BAföG application

For additional information, please see here:

German National Association for Student Affairs

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

BAföG calculator via Studis Online

Seezeit Student Services Bodensee

* BAföG stands for "Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz" (Federal Training Assistance Act)

Education Loan

The federal government provides low interest education loans for students who are in an advanced stage of their studies. The loan will be granted for a maximum period of two years, with a credit limit of 7,200 euros. The education loan is not related to BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act); a legal claim to this loan does not exist.

For more information, please see the websites of the Bundesverwaltungsamt ("Federal Office of Administration") in Cologne.

KfW student loan

The "KfW" ("Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau") resp. German reconstruction loan corporation offers a special loan for first degree students. With monthly contributions of 100 to 650 euros, students can receive financial support until the 10th semester (maximum total of 14 semesters). The loan can be added to the education loan and BAföG. Important information regarding the conditions and requirements for the student loan can be found on the KfW website.

Applications and personal assistance are available from the Seezeit.

Emergency financial assistance

Seezeit Student Services provides emergency financial assistance to students who, of no fault of their own, are in financial difficulty. You can receive a maximum sum of 300 euros per month for up to three months. Please submit your application for emergency financial assistance via the Social Councelling of Seezeit.

Additionally, Seezeit offers an interest-free loan for living expenses. This loan can be dispersed for a short time period.

The Seezeit web pages provide an overview of all opportunities for financial aid.

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