Federal student financial aid, Bafög, reaches its lowest point since the year 2000.
German Student Financial Aid Program Sees Decrease in Spending and Recipients in 2023
In a shift from recent years, federal spending on the German student financial aid program BAföG decreased by 9% or 316 million euros in 2023, amounting to 3.1 billion euros. This decline in spending resulted in a decrease in the number of BAföG recipients to 612,800, the lowest since 2000, with a 4% decrease from the previous year.
Despite the overall decrease, the proportion of women among BAföG beneficiaries continued to be higher than that of men, as in previous years. In 2023, 59% of beneficiaries were female, while 41% were male.
The majority of BAföG recipients in 2023 were students, totaling 483,800. The remaining 129,000 recipients were pupils, who received a lower average monthly support of 539 euros compared to the 635 euros received by students.
The individual BAföG support amount depends on factors such as the school attended, accommodation, and the income of the beneficiary and their parents. The average monthly support for beneficiaries in 2023 was 635 euros, down from 640 euros in the previous year.
Elke Hannack, deputy chairwoman of the German Trade Union Confederation, noted the need for action in BAföG, stating that the allowances for housing, living expenses, and training costs do not cover the actual need. The housing cost allowance contained in BAföG is set to increase from the current 380 to 440 euros per month from the winter semester 2026/2027.
The German Student Union criticized that BAföG has been faltering, stating that it is too low and reaches too few students. They demanded that BAföG must be higher, simpler, and digital. A new support instrument, the "study start allowance", was introduced in BAföG for the winter semester 2024/2025, offering a one-time financial grant of 1,000 euros for the start of studies.
For detailed annual statistics on recipient counts, average aid amounts, and federal expenditure on BAföG, official reports from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) or the Federal Statistical Office would be the authoritative sources. The UNESCO report referenced discusses broader science funding and related education initiatives but does not provide explicit historical BAföG figures. Other given sources do not contain relevant statistics or trend data on BAföG recipients or funding.
Looking forward, the BAföG basic requirement of 475 euros per month is set to increase in two steps from 2027. The increase in housing cost allowance and the introduction of the study start allowance are steps towards addressing the concerns raised by critics, but it remains to be seen whether these changes will be sufficient to meet the growing needs of students in Germany.
In light of the decreased spending on the German student financial aid program BAföG in 2023, businesses and educational institutions may need to consider alternative funding sources for students, such as scholarships and grants. Additionally, self-development through online courses or workshops may become more appealing for students who struggle financially to attend traditional education institutions.
