20. BAföG for international students

International students can receive funding under certain conditions. The following list is not exhaustive and only contains the most important cases. 

There are two main groups:

Funding for Union citizens and citizens of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein

is possible,

  • if you have been legally resident in Germany for at least five years, or
  • if at least one parent has lived legally in Germany for at least five years, or
  • if you have migrant worker status. i.e. if you have been working as an EU citizen in Germany for at least 10 hours a week for at least 12 weeks before the first BAföG application, and therefore enjoy freedom of movement and maintain employment during your studies. It is possible to "grow into" this status, which means that after a rejection you can start working and then apply again after 10 weeks, or
  • if you have already worked in Germany before starting your training (at least 6 months) and the work is related to the content of your current studies.

Funding for students from other countries (third-country nationals)

is possible,

  •  if you are a recognized person entitled to asylum/refugee, or
  • if you worked in Germany for at least 5 years before studying (vocational training is not taken into account), or
  • if at least one parent was legally employed in Germany for at least 6 years within the last 3 years, or
  • if you are a tolerated foreigner and have been legally, permitted or tolerated in the federal territory for at least 15 months without interruption, or
  • if you yourself fall under §104c Residence Act (opportunity residence law). BAFöG-Funding is then possible for a maximum of 18 months.

 

Special features for students from Ukraine

Students can apply for training funding with proof of a residence permit in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act. If the residence permit has been applied for in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act and a fictitious certificate has been issued, training funding can be provided for 6 months. 

A new application must then be submitted.

A residence permit in accordance with Section 16b of the Residence Act generally excludes training funding according to the BAföG out!

Since the eligibility for funding is subject to the complex provisions of the BAföG and is subject to the Residence Act, you should definitely receive personal advice from us.