Finance: BAföG, scholarships and more

BAföG

If you do not have the financial means to afford your studies either on your own or with the help of your parents, you may apply for financial support in accordance with the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (“Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz”, better known as BAföG). Students are legally entitled to apply for BAföG funding under the terms of the Act if they cannot afford their studies in any other way. BAföG is the most affordable way to fund your time at university as within a standard period of study (“Regelstudienzeit”), half of the money you are awarded is provided as an interest-free loan and the other half as a grant, i.e. you don’t have to pay it back!

Even if you are not sure whether you are entitled to funding, it’s definitely worth applying or to visit us beforehand for personal consultation!

Average student living costs vary greatly depending on where you go to university, the course you study and your personal needs. Each month, you’ll have to pay for rent and utilities, books and equipment, clothes, insurance, food and other personal necessities.

Please note: An increase in BAföG requirement rates was decided in 2019. The next stage of the increase will take effect from the winter semester 2020/2021. You can find out whether you also benefit from this in a discussion with your adviser!

Online application

young woman sitting at the laptop

Other sources of financing

There are a number of different ways of getting a regular income as a student, such as a part-time job, a scholarship, or a loan. A Studentenwerk social loan can help students to get through a difficult financial situation that was caused through no fault of one’s own.

In exceptional circumstances, students can apply for social benefits, such as housing benefit and unemployment benefit type II (Hartz IV).

Special student discounts can also help to lower your living costs. Exemption from or reimbursement of your semester fees, the payment of your own child benefit and the exemption from the German Broadcast Contribution are just a few of the options available.

Please contact us if you require any advice.

Questions about further financing possibilities?

Feel free to contact our social advisers in Chemnitz and Zwickau.