Unit 4: Help and support with financial issues

BAföG for Foreigners

When it comes to the question of funding, the first thing that comes to mind is the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG).

Under certain conditions, foreigners can also receive BAföG. One of the main criteria are the applicant's citizeship status and/or residence status. In general, applicants who have had their residence in Germany for a long time and who are seeking to stay in the country long-term, might be eligible to receive BAföG.  In some cases, that requirement might be waived if an immediate family member such as a parent or spouse have been living in Germany for a long period of time. 

EU-citizens and citizens of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Norway are eligible for BAföG if they meet at least one of the following requirements:

1. Legal residence in Germany for a minimum of five years.
2. At least one immediate family member (parent, spouse) have had their permanent residence in Germany and have been employed or self-employed during that time.
3. The applicante has already worked in Germany for at least six months in an area that is related to the one he/she is seeking a university degree in.

Citizens of all other countries must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be eligible to apply for BAföG:

1. The applicant is married to an EU-citizen who is planning in staying to stay in Germany for work and the applicant accompanies him/her. 
   
2. One of the applicant's parents is a EU-citizen and wants to stay in Germany for work. This applies to applicants who are not older than 21 years old.  
3. The applicant has a German permanent residence permit permit.
4. The applicant is a refugee.
5. The applicant is displaced (without a homeland).

For more information: www.xn--bafg-7qa.de/bafoeg/de/das-bafoeg-alle-infos-auf-einen-blick/wer-wird-gefoerdert.html