Applications for BAföG (state training grant) go to a specific Amt für Ausbildungsförderung (training grant office), and many students do not know which one that is. The answer depends above all on where your parents live, on your living situation and on the training institution you attend. The overview below shows how to find your responsible office.
Short answer: Under section 45 BAföG, the responsible office is generally the one in the district where your parents live. Exceptions apply, among others, in case of marriage, a deceased parent or parents living in different districts. Then your own permanent residence counts. For universities with their own office, the university office applies. Last updated: November 2026.
The Most Important Points in Brief
- In most cases, the residence of your parents counts, not your own.
- If a statutory exception applies, your own permanent residence counts.
- If the trainee has no permanent residence in Germany in such cases, the office of the training institution applies.
- For evening upper secondary schools, Kollegs, higher technical schools and academies, the office at the location of the institution applies.
- You cannot choose your office freely, because responsibility is fixed by law.
Which Office Is Responsible for My Application?
Responsibility is governed by section 45 BAföG. It concerns local jurisdiction and does not follow your preferred city. For most students, the first subsection is the main starting point. After that, check whether one of the exceptions applies to you.
| Situation | Responsible office under section 45 BAföG |
|---|---|
| Parents live in one district and no exception applies | Office in the parents district (subsection 1, sentence 1) |
| An exception applies, for example marriage, a deceased parent or parents in different districts | Office at your own permanent residence (subsection 1, sentence 2) |
| An exception applies but there is no permanent residence in Germany | Office of the training institution (subsection 1, sentence 3) |
| Evening upper secondary school, Kolleg, higher technical school or academy | Office at the location of the institution (subsection 2) |
| State university with its own office | the office set up at this university (subsection 3) |
| Office run by a student services organisation (Studentenwerk) | local jurisdiction set by the state (subsection 3, sentence 3) |
If you are unsure which situation applies to you, look at your documents. These include your marital status, the residence of your parents and the type of your training institution. The list is a guide only. The office makes the final decision based on your individual case, and the wording is in section 45 BAföG (in German).
How Do I Find My Office in Three Steps?
- Establish whether your parents live in Germany and in which district. You need this information for subsection 1.
- Check whether an exception applies, for example a marriage, the death of a parent or separated parents in different districts. Then your own residence counts.
- For training at a university or academy, ask the institution whether it has its own office, and record the responsibility in writing.
Why the Responsible Office Matters for Your Application
The application goes to the locally responsible office. This follows from section 46 subsection 2 BAföG. A wrong address slows down processing and costs time you do not have in an already tight application phase. Knowing the right contact lets you clarify queries faster. The documents you need are explained in the article BAföG application step by step: deadlines, documents, portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my BAföG office freely?
No. Responsibility is set by law, so you cannot pick the office. What counts are the residences and the type of training institution. If an exception applies, your own permanent residence counts, as the table shows.
What happens if my parents move?
If a parent moves to another district, responsibility can change. In that case, ask the previous office whether a change is necessary and how the handover is organised. Clarifying this in advance avoids delays in the approval.
Which rules apply if I study abroad?
Training abroad follows its own rules, which go beyond basic responsibility. The article Auslands-BAföG 2026: funding for a semester abroad explains the details. It also shows which office is involved when you stay abroad.
Do I need the office before I apply?
Many offices answer questions about responsibility in writing or by phone before you file an application. Use this option before you submit documents. That way, responsibility does not become a reason for delay in processing.
How to Proceed Now
- Identify your responsible office based on the residences and your training institution.
- Check the exceptions under section 45 BAföG and note which one applies to you.
- Ask the office if doubts remain, and have the responsibility confirmed.
- Submit your application to this office and keep your documents ready.
Which Information Does the Office Need for Responsibility?
For responsibility, the office needs information about the residence of your parents and, depending on your situation, about your own permanent residence. In the case of a marriage, a deceased parent or separated parents, your family situation is the starting point. The office will tell you which proofs it requires before you complete the application.
Make sure the details in your application match the details in your documents. Differing residences usually lead to follow-up questions. A short list with names, addresses and periods helps you complete the information in full.
What Changes If I Change My Training Institution?
A change of training institution can alter responsibility, for example if the new university has its own office or lies in another district. Under section 45 BAföG, the answer depends on which training institution applies. Report the change early and clarify which office is then responsible, so that your funding is not interrupted.
When Is It Worth Asking the Office?
It is worth asking whenever your situation does not fit the table. This applies, for example, to a move during your studies, a separation of your parents or attending several training institutions. Describe your case to the office as precisely as possible and give the dates you know. The clearer the starting point, the more targeted the answer.
Record the answers in writing, for example in an email or in a short note after a phone call. This lets you later reconstruct the basis on which you filed your application with this office.
Related Articles
- BAföG Reform 2027: What Is Changing and When
- BAföG application step by step
- BAföG application online step by step, BAföG Digital
- Auslands-BAföG 2026
- BAföG reform 2026
Sources: section 45 BAföG, local responsibility (gesetze-im-internet.de, status November 2026), section 46 BAföG, application (gesetze-im-internet.de, status November 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
