The Bildungskredit (federal education loan) is a loan from the federal government for students and trainees. It is granted by the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt, BVA) and differs from BAföG mainly in that it does not depend on your parents’ income. This glossary entry explains the most important terms with the values that apply in October 2026.
Short answer: The federal Bildungskredit is a loan with a selectable monthly rate of 100, 200 or 300 euros. Payments are made in up to 24 monthly instalments, and between 1,000 and 7,200 euros in total are possible. The BVA gives an effective annual interest rate (effektiver Jahreszins) of 4.09 percent and a nominal rate (Sollzins) of 4.14 percent from 1 October 2026 (Stand: October 2026, please confirm with the BVA). Repayment begins four years after the first instalment falls due.
The Key Points
- The Bildungskredit is a loan, not a grant. You repay the money with interest.
- You choose a monthly rate of 100, 200 or 300 euros. Payments are made in up to 24 monthly instalments.
- For training-related costs, there is also a one-off payment of up to 3,600 euros.
- The interest rate is variable: 6-month Euribor plus 1 percentage point, adjusted on 1 April and 1 October.
- Repayment begins four years after the first instalment falls due. The rate is usually 120 euros.
What Does Bildungskredit Mean Exactly?
The Bildungskredit is financing for your training period, provided by the federal government through the BVA. Unlike a scholarship, it is a loan: the money goes to you, and you repay it later. You apply directly to the BVA, not through a university or a student services organisation (Studierendenwerk).
How High Is the Monthly Rate and How Much Do You Get in Total?
When you apply, you choose a monthly rate. The options are 100, 200 and 300 euros. Payments are made in up to 24 monthly instalments. Because you can also draw fewer than 24 instalments, the total amount ranges between 1,000 and 7,200 euros. The table below shows the figures for the full term of 24 months.
| Monthly rate | Total amount over 24 instalments |
|---|---|
| 100 euros | 2,400 euros |
| 200 euros | 4,800 euros |
| 300 euros | 7,200 euros |
The totals are calculated values: the monthly rate multiplied by 24 months. The figures come from the BVA website. Its footer still shows the status of 2024, but the interest figures apply from October 2026.
Which Interest Rate Applies to the Bildungskredit?
The Bildungskredit carries a variable interest rate. The basis is the 6-month Euribor plus 1 percentage point. The rate is adjusted on 1 April and 1 October. From 1 October 2026, the BVA gives an effective annual interest rate (effektiver Jahreszins) of 4.09 percent and a nominal rate (Sollzins) of 4.14 percent. An effective annual rate is normally not lower than the nominal rate, so the two BVA figures do not fit together. Treat roughly 4 percent as the order of magnitude; the BVA confirms the binding figure on request.
Assumption for illustration: you have received 7,200 euros in total and then repay 120 euros a month. Without interest, you would be finished after 60 months. With interest, it takes longer, because each instalment also pays off the interest that has accumulated.
When and How Is the Bildungskredit Repaid?
Repayment begins four years after the first instalment falls due. The rate is usually 120 euros a month. The exact repayment arrangements and deadlines are set out in your BVA notice. If you do not need the funding, apply only for the amount your training actually requires.
Bildungskredit or Studienkredit: What Is the Difference?
Both are loans for students, but they come from different sources. The Bildungskredit is granted by the federal government through the BVA. The KfW student loan (KfW-Studienkredit) runs through banks and savings banks and has its own age limits and amounts. You will find an overview of criteria and offers in the article Student loan comparison, criteria and rates 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Bildungskredit if my parents earn a high income?
Yes. The Bildungskredit is granted regardless of your parents’ income. Whether you meet the other requirements is checked by the BVA based on your application.
Is the Bildungskredit a grant?
No. The Bildungskredit is a loan that you repay with interest.
How up to date are the interest rates in this glossary?
The interest figures come from the BVA website and apply from 1 October 2026. However, the footer of that page still shows the status of 2024. Please confirm the current interest rates directly with the BVA before you apply, especially as the effective rate and the nominal rate on the page contradict each other.
Where do I apply?
You apply to the Federal Office of Administration. The forms and the procedure are described on the BVA website.
How to Proceed Now
- Check the current terms on the Federal Office of Administration website, especially the interest rate and the age limit.
- Work out which monthly rate fits your budget, and multiply it by 24 months to see the total amount.
- Compare the Bildungskredit with other forms of funding, for example BAföG or a student loan.
- Submit your application to the BVA and keep your documents ready for repayment later.
Related Articles
- German Education Loan (Bildungskredit): Rates 2026
- Student loan comparison, criteria and rates 2026
- BAföG 2026: Eligibility, amount and repayment explained
- Studying without BAföG: your funding options
Sources: Federal Office of Administration, Bildungskredit: what it offers (interest figures from 1 October 2026, footer 2024), Federal Office of Administration, interest on the Bildungskredit (page dated 1 February 2024, calculation and adjustment dates).
Stand: October 2026. This glossary entry is general information and not individual advice.
