Germany to Increase BAföG Student Loan Payments
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Loading... - Luisa Beck
- 27 Jun 2024
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The German government has confirmed an increase in monthly payments for students receiving the BAföG higher education loan.
BAföG Student Loan Payments Raised by 5 Percent Students in Germany benefiting from the BAföG student loan will soon see a 5 percent increase in their monthly payments, as confirmed by the German government.
The BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) program provides financial assistance to students under 45, including EU and non-EU citizens with valid residence permits. Since the previous increase in winter 2022/23, eligible students have been receiving 452 euros per month, along with an additional 360 euros for rent if they do not live with their parents. With the new increase, students will now receive 475 euros per month, plus a 380 euro rent allowance.
“After a lengthy negotiation, we have successfully reached an agreement on restructuring key areas of the BAföG program. This is great news for students in our country, who will benefit directly,” stated Lina Seitzl (SPD), Laura Kraft (Greens), and Ria Schröder (FDP) in a joint statement.
However, critics argue that the increase is insufficient. Matthias Anbuhl, a representative of the German Students' Union (DSW), told taz that while the decision sends an “important political signal,” the increase is “still too weak to give BAföG the substantial boost it urgently needs. We’ve had an amendment, but we need significantly more force to further strengthen BAföG.”
The German Trade Union Association (DGB) shares this sentiment. Elke Hannak, a representative, told the newspaper, “Despite the good initiatives, the promised structural reform [from the coalition agreement] has unfortunately not materialized.”
Planned reforms include a 1,000-euro payment for new students at the start of their studies to cover costs such as laptops, books, or moving expenses, digitalizing the application system, and amending repayment rules.
