If you apply for BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, the German federal training grant) late, you lose money. Funding starts at the earliest in the month in which you apply, not at the start of the semester. This guide focuses on the application month, deadlines and the follow-up application. For the responsible office, the process and the documents at a glance, see BAföG beantragen: Antrag, Fristen und Unterlagen (in German). If you are funded independently of your parents, see our guide on independent BAföG (in German).
Short answer: You submit your BAföG application in writing or electronically to the office for training support where you live. Funding starts at the earliest in the month you apply. For a follow-up application, the deadline is at least two calendar months before the funding period ends. Last updated: October 2026. Sources: sections 15, 46 and 50 BAföG.
The most important points
- Funding starts at the earliest in the application month (section 15 subsection 1 BAföG). Every month you wait can be lost.
- The responsible office is the office for training support at your place of residence (section 46 subsection 2 BAföG).
- You can apply in writing or electronically (section 46 subsection 1 BAföG).
- The application forms of the office set out which details and evidence are needed.
- Funding is generally granted for one year. Apply for a follow-up at least two calendar months before the period ends (section 50 subsection 4 BAföG).
- The draft reform would allow applications only through the online service BAföG Digital from April 2027. The draft has not been passed yet.
When should you apply?
The entitlement does not arise retroactively to the start of the semester. If you start in October but apply in December, you lose the months in between. Plan your application so that it arrives in the month you begin studying, or directly afterwards. Funding is paid from the month the training starts, but at the earliest from the application month (section 15 subsection 1 BAföG).
Subsections 1 to 3 of section 46 BAföG do not set a fixed application deadline. The application month is therefore decisive. The table shows the most important rules.
| Topic | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Start of funding | At the earliest in the application month | Section 15 subsection 1 BAföG |
| Responsible office | Office for training support at your place of residence | Section 46 subsection 2 BAföG |
| Form of application | In writing or electronically | Section 46 subsection 1 BAföG |
| Age limit | Start of the training section before the 45th birthday | Section 10 subsection 3 BAföG |
| Follow-up application | At least two calendar months before the funding period ends | Section 50 subsection 4 BAföG |
| Proof of progress | After the 4th semester | Section 48 BAföG (per the German Student Union FAQ) |
Which documents do you need?
The law does not set one uniform list of documents. You provide the details needed for your entitlement on the office’s application forms, where forms are provided (section 46 subsection 2 BAföG). In practice, this usually concerns your training, your place of residence and the income and assets of your parents. The office will tell you which evidence is missing. Submit everything complete, so that the application is not delayed.
How to apply step by step
- Find the responsible office: The office for training support at your place of residence is responsible.
- Get the forms: Download the forms or use the office’s online procedure.
- Fill in the details completely: Missing details lead to queries and delays.
- Attach the evidence: Include the requested documents so that the office does not have to ask again.
- Submit the application: Send it in writing or electronically and keep proof of receipt.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I apply too late?
Funding only starts in the application month. Months before that are not paid retroactively, because funding begins at the earliest in the application month (section 15 subsection 1 BAföG). If you are unsure, apply early and submit missing documents later.
Do I have to apply again every year?
Funding is generally granted for one year. Apply for the follow-up at least two calendar months before the funding period ends. If you submit it on time and with the evidence, payment continues in the same training section under the earlier notice, subject to reclaim (section 50 subsections 3 and 4 BAföG).
What must the notice contain?
The notice states, among other things, the amount of the need, the income of the trainee and their parents, the assets, the allowances granted and the amounts counted (section 50 subsection 2 BAföG). If you study at a university, it must also state the end of the maximum funding period. Read the notice carefully.
What happens if the application is incomplete?
An incomplete application delays processing, because the office asks for missing details. A decision on the entitlement is only possible once need and income can be checked. If you submit all evidence at once, you shorten the waiting time. Ask for confirmation of receipt if the office offers it.
What applies if I move?
Responsibility depends on your place of residence or the place of responsibility (section 46 subsection 2 BAföG). If you move, the responsible office may change. Ask which office is responsible for you in future, and do not submit documents to the wrong office.
What changes in 2027?
The government bill (Bundestag document 21/8405) plans that applications can be made from 1 April 2027 only through BAföG Digital. Until the bill is promulgated, the written or electronic route under current law still applies. The reform is classified in our BAföG reform 2027 guide (in German).
Do I need proof of progress early on?
Proof of progress is required after the 4th semester (section 48 BAföG, according to the German Student Union). The draft bill plans to remove this proof. Until then, the current rule applies.
What to do now
- Plan the application so that it arrives in the month you start studying, or directly afterwards.
- Submit the application to the responsible office before the funding is due to start.
- Keep a copy of the application and the proof of receipt.
- Note the end of your funding period and put the follow-up deadline in your calendar.
Related reading
- BAföG 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Repayment Explained
- BAföG Reform 2027: What Is Changing and When
- BAföG Rates 2026/27: Figures, Allowances and Limits
- BAföG beantragen: Antrag, Fristen und Unterlagen (in German)
- BAföG und Elterneinkommen
Sources: Section 15 BAföG, gesetze-im-internet.de (German), status October 2026, Section 46 BAföG, gesetze-im-internet.de (German), status October 2026, Section 50 BAföG, gesetze-im-internet.de (German), status October 2026, Deutsches Studierendenwerk, BAföG FAQ (German), status January 2026, Bundestag document 21/8405 (German), status 7 October 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
