Federal Training Assistance Act (BaFöG)

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Name of the instrument - Local language
BAFöG (Basisausbildungsförderungsgesetz)
Name of the instrument - English translation
Federal Training Assistance Act (BaFöG)
Scheme ID
230
Country
Germany
Reporting year
2020
Type of instrument
Grant for individuals
Sub-type of instrument
Lump-sum support
Type of entry
Single instrument
Short description

Individuals receive state-funded contributions to their costs for education and training. Nearly all groups of learners can apply for the grant. Personal conditions for entitlement to a grant are German citizenship or residence status listed in § 8, the general suitability for the chosen training and the age limit of 30 years (35 years for master studies). The eligible education and training activities include nearly all kinds of training and education measures (e.g. secondary general education (e.g. primary, intermediate and comprehensive schools, high schools) from class 10, Vocational schools, Technical and specialized secondary schools, Higher technical schools and academies and Universities). Beneficiaries receive a lump sum based on the individual criteria. Training costs for which funding can be received can go up to a maximum amount of EUR 861. The share, as well as the maximum amount, do not differ for different groups. There is no limitation to re-use the grant.

Level of operation
National
Name of a part of the country
Not applicable
Name of the region (for regional instruments)
Not applicable
Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)
Not applicable
Relevance
Key instrument
Bundesgesetz über individuelle Förderung der Ausbildung (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG) in der Neufassung vom 07.12.2010 (BGBl. I S. 1952), geändert durch Art. 11 Abs. 3 G v. 22.11.2011 I 2258, Art. 1 G v. 6.12.2011 I 2569, Art. 19 G v. 7.12.2011 I 2592 und 8. Juli 2019 (BGBl. I S. 1048)
Objective(s) and target(s)
BAföG enables adolescents and young adults to complete an apprenticeship that corresponds to their suitability and inclination - even if their parents cannot finance this training.
Year of implementation
1971
Year of latest amendment
2019
Operation/management
The implementation of the Bafög is managed at regional level by so-called Studierendenwerke
Eligible group(s)
Personal conditions for entitlement to a grant are in principle the German citizenship or residence status listed in § 8, the general suitability for the chosen training and the age limit of 30 years (35 years for master studies).
Group(s) with preferential treatment
No preferential treatment
Education and training eligible
Secondary general education (e.g. primary, intermediate and comprehensive schools, high schools) from class 10 [§ 2 para. 1 no. 1 BAföG], Vocational schools, which do not require a completed vocational training, including classes of all forms of basic vocational training (e.g. "Berufsvorbereitungsjahr"), from class 10 [§ 2 para. 1 no. 1 BAföG], Technical and specialized secondary schools, which do not require completed vocational training [§ 2 para. 1 no. 1 BAföG], Vocational schools and technical schools, which do not require a vocational qualification as long as they provide a professional degree in an at least two-year training course [§ 2 para. 1 no. 2 BAföG], Technical and specialized secondary schools, that require a completed vocational training [§ 2 para. 1 no. 3 BAföG], Abendhauptschulen, Berufsaufbauschulen, Abendrealschulen, evening schools and colleges [§ 2 para. 1 no. 4 BAföG], Higher technical schools and academies [§ 2 para. 1 no. 5 BAföG], Universities [§ 2 para. 1 no. 6 BAföG].
Source of financing and collection mechanism
Federal budget
Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
Students at higher vocational schools, academies and universities receive the funding half as a grant and half as an interest-free government loan. The individually obtained trainees costs (specific requirements) are crucial for the funding, however, they cannot be determined individually due to the large number of applicants, but are calculated by the (abstract) requirements. It is oriented at the costs that a student typically requires for their livelihood (food, shelter, clothing, etc.) and that they will need for their education (textbooks, travel expenses for training center etc.). The monthly rates are situated between EUR 216 and 670 . From this basis the own income and assets of the trainees as well as the imputed income of their spouse or registered partner and their parents is deduced.
Volumes of funding
Volume of funds disbursed for students decreased slightly in the last three years due to the decreasing number of students funded.
Beneficiaries/take up
Number of students funded decreased slightly in the last three years.
Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Most relevant webpage - in English
https://www.studentenwerk-karlsruhe.de/en/finanzen/bafoeg/
Most relevant webpage - local language
https://www.bafög.de/
Recent changes

2019; There is more funding for more students. With the BAföG reform on August 1, 2019, the group of people who can receive funding has expanded. The middle class in particular benefits from the improvements in the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG). For the 2019/2020 school year and the start of the 2019/2020 winter semester, the requirement rates rose. This includes a significant increase in housing supplements for people who do not live with their parents. The increases in the income tax allowances ensure that even more students receive BAföG. BAföG for schoolchildren is completely free. Improved loan terms make it easier for students to plan their entry into professional life after graduation. This allows young people to concentrate fully on their school education or studies.

Recent changes in response to COVID-19

In the event of delays in training due to pandemics or exams postponed after the end of the standard period of study, BAföG will continue to be granted for a reasonable period of time. The submission date for assessments has also been postponed.

Sources
https://www.xn--bafg-7qa.de/de/das-bafoeg-372.php
https://www.bafoeg-rechner.de/
https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Bildung-Forschung…
https://www.bmbf.de/files/21%20bafoeg%20bericht.pdf
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