In short: Last updated: October 2026. You file the BAföG application online through BAföG Digital (bafoeg-digital.de). You answer a questionnaire, upload your documents and sign with an eID, or print the form and post it. For a follow-up application, bafoeg-aktuell.de gives a rule of thumb: no later than two months before the funding period ends.
Most students now apply for BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, the German federal student financing law) online through the portal BAföG Digital, which the federal government and the states offer together. Whether you apply online or on paper, the information the office needs stays essentially the same. This guide walks you through the process from preparation to signature.
The most important points
- BAföG Digital is the online portal for the application. You answer a questionnaire and upload your documents directly.
- Parents or a spouse receive a link by email and enter their details themselves.
- You sign with your new identity card or an electronic residence permit ID (eID). Without an eID, you print the application, sign it and post it.
- For a follow-up application, bafoeg-aktuell.de gives this rule of thumb: no later than two months before the funding period ends.
- The government draft for the 30th amendment of the BAföG law provides that applications can only be submitted through BAföG Digital from 1 April 2027. This is not yet law.
What to have ready before you start
A short list helps. You can save the questionnaire at any point, but answers go faster when your documents are at hand. These include your details about your studies, the enrolment confirmation from your university and, if your parents are liable for maintenance, information about their income.
- The certificate under § 9 BAföG, which the educational institution completes (Form 2). Alternatively, the automatically generated enrolment certificate is accepted.
- Information on the income of your parents or spouse, as far as the portal asks for it. Parental income is only counted if you are not funded independently of your parents.
- Proof of your own income and assets, for example payslips from a part-time job.
The forms behind the questionnaire are explained in our guide to the BAföG forms (in German). Their numbers come from the overview published by bafoeg-aktuell.de, which you should compare with your office before you submit.
Step by step: how the online application works
- Open BAföG Digital at bafoeg-digital.de and start the questionnaire. You can stop at any time because your progress is saved.
- Answer the questions about yourself and your studies, including your field of study, your university and the start of your course.
- For parents or a spouse, enter an email address. They then receive a link and complete their part themselves. You do not enter their details for them.
- Upload the documents the portal asks for. Make sure scans and photos are complete and legible.
- Check all entries before you submit, because queries from the office delay processing.
- Sign with your identity card that supports the eID function or with an electronic residence permit ID. Without an eID, you print the data, sign it and post it to the office.
Save or print the submitted application before you close the browser window. That way you keep a record of what you declared.
When do you have to apply?
Under § 15 (1) BAföG, funding starts with the month in which your training begins, but at the earliest with the month in which you apply. If you start in October and apply only in December, you lose the months in between. Apply as early as possible, ideally before the semester starts.
For ongoing funding, the funding period matters. According to bafoeg-aktuell.de it usually lasts twelve months, although another part of the same page mentions two semesters. The office sets the exact period in the decision, so check your notice. The follow-up application should reach the office no later than two months before the period ends, according to the same source.
| Step | BAföG Digital | Paper application |
|---|---|---|
| Completing the form | Questionnaire in the browser, can be saved | PDF forms |
| Parents details | Link by email to parents or spouse | Parents complete Form 3 themselves |
| Documents | Upload in the portal | Copies attached to the application |
| Signature | eID or printout and post | Handwritten signature |
What changes from 2027?
The government draft for the 30th amendment of the BAföG law is published as Bundestag printed paper 21/8405, dated 7 October 2026. It provides that applications can only be filed through BAföG Digital, with 1 April 2027 as the start date for this part. As long as the draft is not law, the current rules apply. We summarise the other changes in our guide to the BAföG reform 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply on paper?
Yes, both routes are currently possible. The forms are still available as paper forms and offices use them. Whether the paper route remains available once the draft takes effect depends on the legislative process. If in doubt, ask the responsible office which procedure it requires.
Do I have to persuade my parents to take part?
Your parents enter their own details through the link the portal sends. If these details are missing, your application remains incomplete, as long as their income is counted. If parents do not pay the maintenance that is counted, an advance payment under § 36 BAföG may be possible in some cases.
What happens if my circumstances change?
If your income, living situation or family status changes during funding, for example because your parents earn less, inform the office promptly. An application with incorrect information can lead to repayment demands. If you are unsure, clarify the question with the office beforehand.
Do I need advice to apply?
No, you can file the application without advice. For questions about your individual case, the responsible BAföG office is the right contact. If you want a personal assessment of your overall financing, you can also book a personal consultation with Academycon: how we work.
How to proceed now
- Gather the certificate from your university and the income details of your parents.
- Start BAföG Digital, save your progress regularly and upload the documents.
- Submit the application. Without an eID, print it, sign it and post it to the office.
- Note the date for your follow-up application so that it reaches the office in time before the funding period ends.
Related guides
- BAföG application: deadlines and documents (in German)
- BAföG 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Repayment
- Independent BAföG: Requirements and Application
- BAföG Reform 2027: What Is Changing and When
- BAföG and assets
Sources: BAföG Digital, online portal of the federal government and the states (accessed October 2026); bafoeg-aktuell.de, notes on the online application and forms (as of 20 Feb 2026); German Bundestag, printed paper 21/8405, draft amendment of the BAföG law (7 Oct 2026); § 15 BAföG, duration of funding (gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
