The BAföG (Ausbildungsförderung, the German state training grant) age limit is 45 years, measured on the day the training stage starts for which you apply. If you start a new degree after a break or want to switch subjects, it matters how the age rule and a change of subject interact. This guide explains both rules, with figures as of October 2026.
Short answer: You receive no BAföG for a training stage that starts once you have turned 45 (Section 10 (3) BAföG, status October 2026). A change of subject up to the 4th semester is generally harmless, according to the Studierendenwerke (German student services organisations, status January 2026). The responsible Amt für Ausbildungsförderung, the office for training grants, makes the binding decision.
Key points
- The limit applies on the start date of the training stage, not on the date of your application.
- If you have turned 45 at that point, you receive no training grant under current law.
- A change of subject up to the 4th semester is generally harmless (status January 2026).
- The proof of performance under Section 48 BAföG is due after the 4th semester, and missing it can end your funding.
- The government draft reform sets a uniform limit of 45 years, but it has not been passed yet (status October 2026).
From which date does the 45-year limit apply?
What counts is the start of the training stage you apply for. Under Section 10 (3) sentence 1 BAföG, no training grant is paid if you have turned 45 at the start of that stage. Your age at the time of application or at graduation does not matter. Whether a master’s programme counts as a separate stage, and whether an exception applies, is decided by the responsible office case by case.
| Situation | Funding under current law |
|---|---|
| Training stage starts before your 45th birthday | Funding possible if the other conditions are met |
| Training stage starts after you have turned 45 | No funding under Section 10 (3) BAföG |
| You apply after your 45th birthday, but the stage started earlier | The start date of the stage is decisive |
How does a change of subject affect your BAföG claim?
A change of subject is not automatically a problem. According to the Studierendenwerke, a change up to the 4th semester is generally harmless (status January 2026). After that, the proof of performance under Section 48 BAföG comes into play. Any later switch should be discussed with the responsible office beforehand. For planning your application, see Studying at 45: BAföG, Insurance and Loans.
How does the office check your birthday? A worked example
Assumption: you turn 45 on 15 November 2026.
If you start your studies on 1 October 2026, you are still 44. The age limit is not reached, and your claim is checked under the other rules.
If you start on 1 April 2027, you are already 45. For that training stage, no funding is paid under current law.
What extends the funding period beyond the maximum?
If you reach the maximum funding period, funding can in some cases continue for a reasonable time. Under Section 15 (3) BAföG, this applies when the overrun is caused by serious reasons, for example:
- home care of a close relative with at least care level 3
- taking part in university bodies
- failing the final examination for the first time
- disability, pregnancy or raising a child under 14
Under Section 15 (4) BAföG, students at universities also receive one extra semester, the so-called flexibility semester, after the funding period ends, unless they have already used it for an earlier stage. The office decides in each case whether a reason applies. An extension does not replace the age limit, because it only matters once the claim exists in principle.
What does the planned reform change?
On 12 August 2026 the federal cabinet approved a draft for the 30th amendment to the BAföG. It is before the Bundestag as document 21/8405 (status October 2026). The draft sets a uniform limit of 45 years and would remove the current exceptions. For trainees who turn 43 before 1 January 2028, it foresees a transition rule. For other changes to rates and allowances, see BAföG reform 2026: what may change. As the draft has not been passed, current law still applies.
Frequently asked questions
Does the age limit also apply to a master’s programme?
The limit depends on the start of each training stage, not on the type of degree. Whether a master’s counts as a separate stage, and whether an exception applies, is decided by the responsible office. Plan your start date early and clarify this before you enrol.
Can I still get BAföG at 44 if I start a new degree?
Yes, if the training stage starts before your 45th birthday and the other conditions are met. Then the grant is calculated as usual, based on need, income and assets. Age is only one hurdle among several, but it cannot be made up for later.
Will I lose BAföG if I change my subject?
Not automatically. A change up to the 4th semester is generally harmless. After the 4th semester, the proof of performance under Section 48 BAföG matters, so a change at that stage should be cleared with the office first.
What exactly is the proof of performance?
It shows that your studies are progressing as required. It is due after the 4th semester. The details are set out in Section 48 BAföG, and the office applies them to your case.
Who makes the binding decision?
Only the responsible Amt für Ausbildungsförderung issues a binding notice. If you disagree with a rejection, you can file an objection (Widerspruch). How to word it is explained in BAföG rejected: how to word an objection.
What to do next
- Work out the start date of your next training stage and calculate your age on that day.
- Check whether you change subject and which semester you would then be in.
- Clarify a change after the 4th semester with the responsible office before you switch.
- Follow the progress of the reform if your start falls after spring 2027.
Related guides
- BAföG Rates 2026/27: Figures, Allowances and Limits
- Studying over 30: financing with BAföG, grants and loans
- BAföG and assets: allowance 2026 and offsetting
- BAföG 2026: entitlement, amount and repayment (in German)
Sources: Section 10 BAföG, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved 26 Oct 2026); Section 15 BAföG, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved 26 Oct 2026); Bundestag document 21/8405 (status October 2026); BAföG FAQ, Studierendenwerke (status January 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
