Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
5d ago

BAföG Recipients Hit 25-Year Low as Calls Grow for Accelerated Reform

Proposed increases to housing and base support aim to address stagnant uptake after last year’s BAföG reform.

Ein BAföG-Antragsformular auf Ausbildungsförderung.
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The number of BAföG beneficiaries fell by 4 percent in 2024 to 612,800, marking the smallest cohort since 2000.
  • Average monthly support declined by €5 to €635 and total federal spending on BAföG dropped nine percent to €3.1 billion.
  • Just 10,700 students received the one-time €1,000 Studienstarthilfe introduced in winter semester 2024/25.
  • The DGB and Deutsches Studierendenwerk have demanded a comprehensive overhaul to make BAföG higher, simpler and fully digital.
  • The Union-SPD coalition plans to raise the housing allowance from €380 to €440 and to adjust the basic grant in two steps through 2028.