First of all: The state-funded financial aid programme BAföG (= Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act) is the best way to finance your studies. The BAföG service office as well as the student services (Studentenwerk/Studierendenwerk) at your place of study will provide detailed advice.
Attention: If you have a residence permit for study purposes (§ 16 AufenthG) you are not eligible for BAföG!
The most important funding options:
- Parents are leagally obligated towards their (adult) children to finance education up to a first vocational qualification. As such parents are generally obliged to pay maintenace until the end of their children's studies.
- BAföG: If parents or spouses/partners are unable to support the student due to low income, the state provides financial support according to the BAföG.
Since the winter semester 2022/2023 the maximum rate has been 812 euros for students up to 24 years of age, 934 euros for students up to 29 years of age and 1018 euros for students 30 years of age or older. These amounts only apply to students who do not live with their parents.
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Personal income: Almost two-thirds of the students have part-time jobs. For half of them the job is necessary to finance their living.
- Other sources of finance include scholarships, loans/credits or other financial allocations, for example from grandparents or other relatives.