Short answer: A master’s degree is funded under BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, the federal training assistance act) only if it meets the requirements of section 7 BAföG. The maximum funding period follows the standard period of study (section 15a para. 1 BAföG). Funding starts at the earliest in the month of application. A proof of performance is generally required after the 4th semester of study (section 48 BAföG). Last updated: October 2026.
A master’s degree can be funded under BAföG if it is eligible. In that case the deadlines are what matter most: the maximum funding period, the timing of your application and the proof of performance. Anyone who knows these deadlines avoids having funding end in the middle of their studies or never start at all.
The most important points
- Whether your master’s degree is eligible is decided by the training assistance office under section 7 BAföG, case by case.
- The maximum funding period generally corresponds to the standard period of study of the course (section 15a para. 1 BAföG).
- Periods beyond the 8th semester in a one-tier course recognised as a bachelor’s degree are counted towards the maximum funding period (section 15a para. 2 no. 3 BAföG).
- Funding begins with the month in which training starts, and at the earliest with the month of application (section 15 para. 1 BAföG). Applying on time is worth it.
- The office generally requires a proof of performance after the 4th semester (section 48 BAföG, as of January 2026).
When is a master’s degree eligible for funding?
The basic rules are set out in section 7 BAföG. They define when further training can be funded. A master’s degree has its own requirements, which are anchored in section 7 para. 1a (Federal Training Assistance Act, section 7 (gesetze-im-internet.de)). Which of these apply to you depends on your previous studies and on the master’s course. The office decides this case by case.
Check before you start whether your master’s course counts as eligible. The decision lies with the training assistance office, not with the university, so information from your university does not replace that decision.
How long is a master’s degree funded?
The maximum funding period corresponds to the standard period of study of the course (section 15a para. 1 BAföG). The law does not set a fixed number of semesters. The standard period of study is stated in the examination regulations or study documents of your university, which also show how your course is structured.
Not every period counts in the same way. The table shows which circumstances affect the funding period and on what legal basis.
| Circumstance | Effect on funding | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Standard period of study of the master’s course | Basis of the maximum funding period | Section 15a para. 1 BAföG |
| Periods beyond the 8th semester in a one-tier course recognised as a bachelor’s degree | Counted towards the maximum funding period | Section 15a para. 2 no. 3 BAföG |
| Flexibility semester | One additional semester after the funding period ends, if not yet used | Section 15 para. 4 BAföG |
| First failure of the final examination | Funding beyond the maximum period for an appropriate time | Section 15 para. 3 BAföG |
| Help to complete studies | At most twelve months of funding if you were admitted to the final examination within four semesters afterwards | Section 15 para. 5 BAföG |
Last updated: October 2026 (statutory texts retrieved from gesetze-im-internet.de). The list is a selection. Whether a circumstance counts for you is decided by the office in each case. The maximum funding period also matters if you do not start your master’s directly after your bachelor’s degree.
Which deadlines apply to the application?
Under section 15 para. 1 BAföG, funding starts with the month in which training begins, but at the earliest with the month of application (Federal Training Assistance Act, section 15 (gesetze-im-internet.de)). If you apply late, there is no money for the earlier months. There is no backdating beyond the month of application. Submit the application before or at the start of the semester.
According to the government draft for the BAföG reform of 2027, applications would only be possible through BAföG Digital (Bundestag printed paper 21/8405, as of October 2026). The draft is not law. Until then the current rules apply.
Proof of performance: what you must show and by when
Under section 48 BAföG you must provide proof of performance after the 4th semester so that funding continues (Studierendenwerke, BAföG FAQ (as of January 2026)). If you change your field within your studies, this is generally harmless up to the 4th semester. After that, discuss the change with the office in advance.
In a master’s degree, the 4th semester may fall close to the end of the funding period, depending on the standard period of study. Plan your examinations early and secure your documents straight away.
- Keep an overview of your examination results with the semester and date.
- Ask the examination office of your university which certificate counts as proof.
- Submit the proof to the office before the deadline runs out, and keep a copy.
- Plan the next proof while you are still working on the first one, so you do not fall into a gap.
What would the 2027 government draft change?
The government draft proposes deleting the proof of performance under section 48 BAföG, so that it would no longer apply from the fifth semester (Bundestag printed paper 21/8405, as of October 2026). The draft is not law. The new rules are to take effect in 2027 at the earliest. The guide BAföG reform 2026 (in German) explains the reform in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is every master’s degree funded?
No. The course must meet the requirements of section 7 BAföG. The office checks this against your previous path and the course. Ask before you start if you are not sure whether the course is eligible.
What happens if I do not provide the proof of performance?
Then funding can end. The office decides on a case-by-case basis whether exceptions apply and which reasons it accepts. Talk to the office early rather than waiting for a notice.
Does a change of field count in a master’s degree?
A change is checked under the rules of the BAföG. Up to the 4th semester it is generally harmless. After that, ask the office in advance. More details are in the guide BAföG and change of field (in German).
Is there extra time for the final thesis beyond the funding period?
Yes, under conditions. Under section 15 para. 5 BAföG, help to complete studies allows at most twelve months of funding after the funding period has ended. The condition is that you were admitted to the final examination no later than four semesters afterwards and that the examination office confirms you can finish within that time.
What to do now
- Check whether your master’s course is eligible under section 7 BAföG, and ask the training assistance office.
- Find the standard period of study of your course in the examination regulations.
- Submit the application in the month your studies begin, because funding starts at the earliest with the month of application.
- Plan the proof of performance for after the 4th semester and note the deadlines in your calendar.
Related guides
- BAföG 2026: eligibility, amount and repayment explained
- BAföG for studying abroad: eligibility and allowances
- BAföG reform 2027: what is changing and when
- Independent BAföG: requirements and application
- BAföG maximum rate 2026/27
Sources: Federal Training Assistance Act, section 7 (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved October 2026); Federal Training Assistance Act, section 15a (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved October 2026); Federal Training Assistance Act, section 15 (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved October 2026); Studierendenwerke, BAföG FAQ (as of January 2026); German Bundestag, printed paper 21/8405 (as of October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
