The BAföG training assistance provides state funding for pupils and students at vocational and general educational secondary schools, colleges, academies and institutions of higher education, including the compulsory internships related to training and education. The assistance is likewise extended to public and private (if equivalent) establishments for education. Training via corresponding distance learning courses is eligible for funding, as well. The training assistance may also be granted for a training period abroad. Foreigners and German citizens are eligible for the training assistance. The exact requirements for qualification depend on the candidate's legal status, such as citizenship in other EU countries, settlement permit or the recognition of a refugee status. The training assistance is intended to contribute to the cost of living and education. To this end, the BAföG Act provides qualifying lump-sum rates, which vary according to the type of training.

German and EU citizens as well as persons with a legal status as per BAföG § 8 who are in vocational training at a school or academy, completing a higher education entrance qualification or studying at a higher education institution.

The BAföG grant covers the duration of the training, school holidays and lecture breaks included. As a general rule, pupils are eligible for funding as long as they attend training or education. The funding period for students generally corresponds to the standard period of study, the so-called maximum funding period. Funding beyond this point is possible for a limited period of time in exceptional cases.

There are different types of funding for different target groups, i.e. full grants, a combination of a grant and a government loan or just a loan. Please find further information on the topic here.

The maximum amount (including healthcare and long-term-care insurance) for students at higher education institutions who are not living in the same household as their parents is currently of 934 EUR per month.

Generally responsible for

• students: the Student Services (Studierendenwerk) of the institution of higher education the applicants are enrolled at
• trainees at evening schools, colleges and academies: the Education Assistance Office (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) of the municipality or district administration, which is competent for the training or education establishment the candidate has chosen
• all other pupils: the Education Assistance Office (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) of the municipality or district administration in which the candidate's parents reside

All relevant contact data (addresses, telephone numbers, websites) of the Education Assistance Offices (Ämter für Ausbildungsförderung) can be found at www.bafög.de.

Applications should be submitted in due time before the beginning of the training.