Bafög funding reaches a new low point since the year 2000
In recent years, the number of BAföG recipients in Germany has been on a downward trend, reaching a historic low in 2024 since the turn of the millennium. According to the latest statistics, there were approximately 612,800 BAföG recipients in 2024, marking a decrease of 4% or 22,800 from the previous year.
The average monthly amount received by recipients also saw a slight decrease, dropping from 640 euros in the previous year to 635 euros in 2024. As a result, the federal expenditure for BAföG funding decreased by 9%, amounting to around 3.1 billion euros in 2024.
Most of the BAföG recipients were students, with about 484,000 students receiving benefits, while the remaining recipients were primarily school pupils, numbering around 129,000. On average, students received 657 euros per month, while non-students received an average of 539 euros.
It is worth noting that women made up 59% of all BAföG recipients, while men accounted for 41%. The majority of recipients were under 25 and did not live with their parents.
However, the proposed changes for BAföG reform in the current coalition agreement do not provide specific details or explicit information. The coalition agreement typically addresses financial aid reforms and modernization measures for education support, but no direct information on BAföG reform was found in the available sources.
In a positive development, a new financial grant, "study start aid," was introduced for the winter semester 2024/2025. This one-time payment of 1,000 euros is intended for those under 25 who are receiving certain social benefits and are enrolling in a university for the first time.
Looking ahead, the monthly housing allowance in BAföG will be increased from 380 to 440 euros starting in the winter semester 2026/2027. Additionally, the BAföG basic allowance of 475 euros per month will be increased in two steps starting in 2027.
The amount of individual BAföG support depends on the school attended, accommodation, and the income of the beneficiary and their parents.
The German Student Union has voiced its demand for BAföG to be made higher, simpler, and digital. Elke Hannack, deputy chairwoman of the German Trade Union Confederation, also stated the need for action regarding BAföG, as the allowances for housing, living expenses, and study costs do not cover the actual need.
For more detailed information on the proposed coalition reforms of BAföG, consulting official government or coalition documents beyond these sources would be necessary.
- Given the recent decrease in BAföG recipients, it's evident that more focus is needed in areas such as science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, education-and-self-development, and learning, which could potentially encourage more young people to pursue education.
- As the federal expenditure for BAföG funding decreases, it's crucial for students to seek alternative resources for learning, such as scholarships or grants, especially in fields like science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, education-and-self-development, and learning.
- In light of the demand for BAföG to be made higher, simpler, and digital, it's imperative for students to explore opportunities in technology and digital learning to not only make the BAföG system more efficient but also to further their educational pursuits in science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, education-and-self-development, and learning.
