In short: Last updated: October 2026. You can object to a rejected BAföG decision within one month of its notification (§ 70 VwGO, the German Administrative Court Procedure Act). The objection must be made in writing, electronically or on the record, and must reach the responsible authority in time. A clear objection with the file number and the date of the decision is enough. The full reasons can follow.
A rejection letter from the BAföG office often feels final, but it usually is not. If you know the deadline and word your objection properly, you keep the option of having the decision reviewed. This guide explains what the notice says, how to calculate the one-month deadline and how to write an objection that the office will actually process.
The most important points
- The deadline for an objection is one month after the decision is notified (§ 70 VwGO).
- The objection can be made in writing, electronically or on the record with the authority.
- The deadline is met if the objection reaches the authority that must decide on it. In practice you send it to the office that issued the decision and check the address in the notice.
- A short objection with the file number and date is enough to meet the deadline. You can usually add the reasons later, if the office allows it.
- The legal remedy instruction at the end of the notice sets out the next steps and deadlines.
What a rejection notice means
A BAföG decision is an administrative act. The office uses it to decide, with binding effect, whether you receive funding and how much. A rejection is therefore more than a letter with bad news. It starts a deadline that you must observe if you want to challenge the decision.
At the same time, a rejection is not automatically wrong. Many decisions fail because of missing documents, because of how income is counted or because of a question of time. Read the reason first before you decide whether an objection makes sense.
Check first, then write
The notice states what the rejection is based on. Typical reasons are incomplete details, missing evidence, income above the allowances or the age limit. Under § 10 (3) BAföG, funding is not paid if you had completed your 45th year of life when the training section for which you apply begins. Anyone who starts after their 45th birthday therefore has a ground for rejection that an objection usually does not overcome.
If the reason lies in missing documents, an objection is often not the quickest route. Submit the documents and ask the office whether a new decision will follow. An objection remains worthwhile if you believe the decision is wrong in substance, for example because income was calculated incorrectly. You can read more about the age limit in our guide on the BAföG age limit (in English).
The deadline: one month from notification
The deadline runs from the notification of the decision, not from the date printed at the top of the letter. Check the date of receipt, for example the postmark or the date of electronic delivery. When in doubt, count from the earliest possible date.
| Point in time | What it means |
|---|---|
| Notification of the decision | Start of the one-month deadline |
| Within the first month | The objection must reach the responsible authority |
| After the deadline has passed | The decision is generally no longer open to challenge |
| After the objection decision | The period for a court action before the administrative court starts, as stated in the objection decision |
Send the objection as early as possible. A buffer of one week is sensible in case post is lost or delivery is delayed.
Which form the objection needs
The objection can be made in writing, electronically or on the record with the authority. An email with clear content and the file number is in principle possible, provided the office has opened an electronic access. The safest option is a signed letter whose receipt you can prove, for example by registered post or with a receipt. A phone call alone does not replace the objection.
The deadline is also met if the objection reaches the authority that must issue the objection decision. In most BAföG cases you write to the office that issued the notice. The address is in the decision.
Step by step: how to word the objection
- Read the notice in full and note the file number, the date and the reason for the rejection.
- Check when the notice reached you. The one-month period starts with notification, not with the date on the letter.
- At the top, write your details as sender, then the address of the office from the notice, and in the subject line the file number.
- Formulate the core: you object to the decision named, with its date and file number stated clearly.
- Briefly explain which entry or calculation you consider wrong, and attach evidence that supports this.
- Sign it and submit it in a way that lets you prove when it arrived.
Sample wording
An objection does not need to be long, but it must be clear. An example opening: “I hereby object to the decision dated [date], file number [number]. I ask for a renewed review because [short reason]. I will submit the full reasons later.” Adapt the details to your case and add your name underneath.
If you submit the reasons later, ask the office by what date this is possible. A short written enquiry with the file number creates clarity and prevents your objection from being treated as incomplete.
What happens after the objection?
The office reviews your objection again. If it reaches a different decision, you receive a new notice. If it keeps the rejection, an objection decision usually follows. Against that decision, you can bring a court action before the administrative court within the period stated in it. Seek professional advice before going to court, because stricter requirements apply there.
Frequently asked questions
Does the objection need reasons?
For the deadline, a short objection with the file number and date is enough. Reasons help the office review your case quickly. Ask the office in writing how long you have to provide them.
What if I missed the deadline?
Then the decision usually becomes final and can no longer be challenged. Still, contact the office and explain why you could not meet the deadline. Exceptions are possible in administrative law, but they are not guaranteed.
Do I need a lawyer?
For the objection itself, this is usually not necessary. In complicated cases, for example a dispute about income or a court action, advice from a counselling service or a lawyer specialised in social law is worthwhile.
Does an objection harm my relationship with the office?
An objection is a legal step and not an accusation. Written in a factual way, it shows that you are checking the decision and know the rules. This usually does not affect your further processing in a negative way.
How to proceed now
- Note the date of notification and enter the deadline in your calendar.
- Write the objection with the file number and date, and sign it.
- Attach the evidence that supports your reasons and keep a copy.
- Submit the objection in a way that proves receipt, then wait for the objection decision.
Related guides
- BAföG 2026: Anspruch, Höhe und Rückzahlung erklärt (in German)
- BAföG Age Limit: Studying Over 30 and Funding in 2026
- BAföG 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Repayment
- BAföG application: deadlines and documents (in German)
Sources: § 70 VwGO, objection (gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed October 2026); § 10 BAföG, age limit (gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
