Some opportunities go unused because myths and half-truths persist and BAföG is no exception. A study published in 2025 by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology (FIT) shows that up to 70% of eligible students forgo financial support. Reasons range from uncertainty to misinformation, causing many students each year to miss out on funding opportunities.
Here, we debunk the most common BAföG myths and reveal what’s really behind them.
Myth 1: “The BAföG calculator says I won’t get any money.”
The official BAföG calculator is a good first point of reference. However, it does not take into account many individual factors that are important for the calculation of BAföG. This sometimes leads to an inaccurate result.
The outcome also depends heavily on whether the correct and relevant figures are entered into the calculator. This often requires specific knowledge, for example, about different types of income, possible deductions, or the type of education siblings are undertaking. Because data entry is not always straightforward, it is easy for results to turn out inaccurate.
Myth 2: "My parents earn too much."
Many students are entitled to BAföG despite having parents who earn well, as the allowances have been increased repeatedly in recent years. Siblings in education are also taken into account and reduce the amount calculated. And: If contact is broken off or support is lacking, parent-independent BAföG may be possible.
The following example illustrates how income and sibling constellations can affect the level of funding:
With a combined parental income of €80,000 from employment, a student living independently and with mandatory health insurance receives funding of €520 if another sibling is enrolled in higher education. If, instead, a sibling is still in school, the funding amounts to €488. Only in cases where no siblings can be considered does parental income need to be significantly higher than €80,000 for the application to be rejected on financial grounds. In individual cases, the outcome may vary for different reasons. However, concrete figures help to better assess the funding opportunities.
Myth 3: "I decided to study late in life. That's it for BAföG."
That's not true, because the age limit for receiving BAföG has been significantly raised and is now 45.
Myth 4: "Personal savings prevent BAföG funding."
Assets up to €15,000 (under 30 years) or €45,000 (30 years and older) are not counted. Amounts above this are partially considered but do not automatically disqualify students from funding.
Myth 5: "BAföG means high debt."
At least half of BAföG is a gift. Repayment is limited to a maximum of € 10,010. Any amount exceeding this cap does not need to be repaid and is therefore effectively a gift. The repayment amount can also be lower if the loan portion is partially or fully repaid early. However, the repayment can also be less if the loan is repaid early, either in full or in part. Repayment usually begins five years after the end of the maximum funding period and is made in small payments of € 130. For low-income earners, payments can be deferred or reduced.
Myth 6: “BAföG and jobbing don’t go together.”
This is a common misconception, but it is often wrong. Having a job does not automatically exclude receiving BAföG and vice versa. Even with comparatively high earnings, there may still be an entitlement to partial funding.
The current earnings limit is €556 gross per month, equivalent to €6,680 per year, regardless of whether the income is earned regularly or only during semester breaks. What matters is the total income during the funding period (usually 12 months), not the income in individual months. This means that even students with a working student position can still receive partial funding. Even with an average part-time income of €750 per month, a student living independently and with mandatory student health insurance is still entitled to €182 in BAföG funding.
For mandatory internships, remuneration is fully counted towards income. Voluntary internships, however, are treated like a regular job, as long as annual income remains below the limit, it is not counted against BAföG. It is important to inform the BAföG office in good time about a starting job, a job change or an internship, even if the earnings remain unter the limit of €556 per month or €6,680 per year.
Students who are unsure about their eligibility or how their personal situation affects BAföG funding should contact the responsible BAföG office of the Studierendenwerk. Reliable information and individual support are provided there. The consultation at the office is free of charge. There is no need to use external, paid services for submitting the BAföG application.
Tip for submitting your application:
The BAföG application can be submitted either digitally or on paper. Digital submission via BAföG Digital is recommended, as it allows all documents to be conveniently and securely uploaded online, even at a later stage.
It pays off to look behind the myths: even students who initially appear ineligible may qualify for funding upon closer examination. The chances are often better than expected.
More BAföG myths, tips, and information about student life can be found on our Instagram channel @studierendenwerkwb.