13. Type of funding and repayment conditions

Within the standard period of study (maximum funding period), you will receive half of the funding as a non-repayable grant and half as a non-interest-bearing loan.

Further funding is then possible if there are reasons for exceeding the limit (see point Conditions of performance and evidence

The interest-free loan is due 5 years after the end of the standard period of study (number of semesters provided for in the study and examination regulations). The repayment should be made in installments of at least 130 euros per month. After paying 77 installments (10.010 euros) you are usually debt-free. This regulation does not apply to the full loan funding type. If you cannot pay the standard rate of 130 euros for economic reasons, the rate can be reduced or suspended upon request. The loan can be fully or partially repaid early. Larger forgiveness amounts are granted for this. The forgiveness portion increases with the amount of loan debt.

Who e.g. For example, if you owe 6.000 euros, you will have 14,5 percent of the loan debt forgiven if you pay in one lump sum, so you only have to repay 5.130 euros.

A central office in Cologne is responsible for loan collection. The Federal Office of Administration, BTBAföG, 50728 Cologne, Tel. (0221) 758-4500. This office sends the loan notifications approximately four and a half years after the end of the standard period of study.

Once you have received this notification, please remember to submit your possible applications for forgiveness within one month (deadline!). Please make sure to provide the Federal Office of Administration with your current address after completing your studies. This is also online here possible (online form “master data change” at BAföG-Online portal of the Federal Office of Administration).

If you fail to do this, you will be charged the costs of determining the address, which is currently 25 euros.

What if I exceed the maximum funding period?