Federal student aid benefits reach a 20-year low
In 2024, the Federal government reduced its spending on BAföG support by 9%, amounting to a decrease of 316 million euros, leaving a total of 3.1 billion euros for student financial aid. This decrease in recipients was primarily due to demographic changes, with a declining number of young people entering higher education, which mirrors the overall population decline in the age groups eligible for BAföG support.
The demographic distribution of BAföG recipients is shifting towards a greater focus on supporting students from non-academic family backgrounds and vulnerable groups, in line with ongoing diversity and inclusion initiatives funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This change in the profile of BAföG recipients could potentially impact regional distributions as well.
In the 2024/2025 winter semester, a new funding instrument called the "Study Start Grant" was introduced in BAföG. This one-time financial contribution of 1,000 euros is aimed at persons under 25 years of age who receive certain social benefits before starting their studies and are enrolling in a university for the first time, primarily due to unemployment benefit. The Federal government allocated 10.7 million euros for the Study Start Grant in 2024, supporting 10,700 individuals.
It is important to note that the support amount under the Study Start Grant does not depend on the school attended, accommodation, or the income of the recipient and their parents, unlike BAföG. Moreover, the receipt of the Study Start Grant does not affect the possible monthly BAföG receipt.
In 2024, there were 600,000 BAföG recipients in Germany, the lowest number since 2000. Out of these, students made up the majority (483,800), with 21% being schoolchildren (129,000). Women were more frequently supported under BAföG than men, with a women's share of 59% and a men's share of 41%.
The average monthly BAföG benefit was 635 euros in 2024, a drop from 640 euros in the previous year. Schoolchildren, on the other hand, received an average of 539 euros per month.
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In international news, a massive attack in Kyiv, Ukraine overnight resulted in the death of 28 people. However, specific details about the day or location of the attack were not provided.
[1] [https://www.bmbf.de/de/bafog-unterstuetzung-fuer-studierende-171651.html] [2] [https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/bildung-und-forschung/studienfinanzierung/bafog-unterstuetzung-fuer-studierende-171651]
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding diversity and inclusion initiatives, which may influence the profile of BAföG recipients in business, finance, and education-and-self-development sectors. The new Study Start Grant, introduced in 2024/2025, provides one-time financial aid to underprivileged students, not dependent on their school, accommodation, or income, creating additional support for those seeking education-and-self-development.
