In principle, there are no general exclusion periods. However, BAföG is not granted retroactively. This means that if you start your studies in October and submit your application in November, you will give away your BAföG grant for October.

Those who wish to receive BAföG on time and without any problems should submit their application as early as possible (2 months before the end of the last grant period) to the BAföG office.

For initial applications, we recommend that you submit your application directly after you have received the notification of admission from your university.

If time is running out, due to replacement procedures or similar, a provisional application can be submitted to meet the deadline.

Form 1
Information on personal data, personal income and assets

Appendix 1 to Form 1
School and professional background; usually only required for the first application.

Form 3
Declaration of income of parents and wife or husband
Proof: Tax assessment with income from two years ago

Form 4
For international students at the initial application if the parents and spouse also do not have German citizenship.

Proof of own apartment
Submission of a registration certificate or rental agreement

If you are late, you can submit an informal BAföG application as a first step to meet the deadline. After that, the fully completed application forms and certificates must be submitted.

As a rule, BAföG is granted for 12 months and must be applied again at the end of this period. You should submit a BAföG renewal application about two months before the end of the grant period so that there are no funding gaps.

Form 1, alternatively Form 9*

Form 3
Declaration of income of parents and wife or husband
Proof: Tax assessment with income from two years ago

Form 5
Proof of academic achievement after the 4th semester

Proof of own apartment
Submission of a registration certificate or rental agreement

*The following requirements must be met:

• The responsibility of the BAföG office has not changed.
• There is no time gap between the subsequent application and the previous funding.
• Assets and income of the applicant have remained the same. An increase in assets is legitimate if the tax-free amount of € 15,000.00 (up to the age of 30) or € 45,000.00 (from the age of 30) is not exceeded.  

Appendix 2 to Form 1
A childcare surcharge can be applied for children under the age of 10.

Form 6
BAföG for studying abroad

Form 7
Update request if the income of the parents and/or wife or husband has changed.

Form 8
Application for advance payments if parents do not provide the necessary documents.