The government draft for the 30th amendment of the German training assistance act (BAföG) would remove the proof of academic progress, the Leistungsnachweis, from a certain semester onwards. Under current law, that proof is due after the fourth subject semester. The change is not yet adopted, so the existing rule still applies.
Short answer: According to printed matter 21/8405 (dated 7 October 2026), the proof under section 48 BAföG would no longer apply from the fifth subject semester. At present it is required after the fourth subject semester. The draft names 1 April 2027 as the date. Until a law is promulgated, the existing rule applies (as of November 2026).
Key Points in Brief
- Under current law, the proof of academic progress is due after the fourth subject semester (section 48 BAföG).
- The government draft removes this rule, so the proof would no longer be required from the fifth subject semester.
- The draft names 1 April 2027 as the date. Transitional rules for ongoing funding cannot be fully read from the draft.
- According to the Deutsches Studierendenwerk, a change of subject up to the fourth semester is generally harmless.
- Until promulgation the existing rule applies, so rely on your notice and on the office’s information before you decide.
What Applies Today, and What Does the Draft Provide?
The table sets the current rule against the draft. The information on current law comes from the FAQ of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk, status January 2026. The draft figures come from printed matter 21/8405.
| Point | Current law (as of November 2026) | Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of academic progress | Proof after the fourth subject semester (section 48 BAföG) | Removed from the fifth subject semester |
| Change of subject | Generally harmless up to the fourth semester | Not separately addressed in the draft |
| Date | The existing rule stays in force until promulgation | 1 April 2027 (draft) |
| Status | Applicable law | In progress, not adopted |
The table shows that only the obligation to provide proof is meant to change. The consequences of a change of course follow from the general rules that appear in your notice.
What Does the End of the Proof Mean in Practice?
Under the draft, students funded from the fifth subject semester would not have to submit proof of academic progress, provided the draft is adopted in this form. The draft does not describe in detail whether and how the office would check academic progress in another way. For that reason the change should not be read as a blanket release.
Anyone who reads the draft as an easing without preparation risks overlooking a deadline or a proof that still applies until promulgation. The status of the procedure and the open steps are described in BAföG reform in the Bundestag: what is still open in the legislative process (in German).
What Is the Proof of Academic Progress For?
Under current law, the proof serves to show that training is progressing before funding continues. It is therefore not a penalty but a check of academic progress at a fixed point in time. This is exactly where the draft intervenes, because it no longer provides for this check at later subject semesters.
How large the difference is in practice depends on how the office currently handles the progress check and which consequences a missing proof has. Both points appear in your notice and in the office’s information and should be clarified there.
For Whom Is the Change Especially Relevant?
The change matters mainly for students from the fifth subject semester onwards. Those still in the first years of study see no change to this rule under the draft. Anyone already receiving funding should also check in which approval period they are.
Students who change subject or course should look closely as well. The current rule generally allows a change up to the fourth semester without disadvantage. Whether this continues after an amendment is not separately regulated in the draft.
Preparing a Conversation With the Office
If you are unsure how the change affects you, a well-prepared conversation helps. Noting the key points beforehand saves time, and having your documents ready makes the exchange easier.
- Your current subject semester, your university and your course of study.
- The approval period and the file number from your last notice.
- The question of whether and when a proof becomes due for you.
- The question of whether a change of course alters anything.
A written reply from the office is more useful than an oral statement, because you can present it later. Ask explicitly for written confirmation, even if the answer is detailed. This matters particularly if the date of 1 April 2027 is still moved during the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the proof of academic progress already been abolished?
No. The draft has not been adopted. Until a law is promulgated, the proof after the fourth subject semester continues to apply, even though the draft is already public.
From when would the change take effect?
The draft names 1 April 2027 as the date. Whether this date applies in every case depends on the transitional rules in the final text. If you are in an ongoing approval period, ask the office.
What happens if I change course before the fourth semester?
According to the Deutsches Studierendenwerk, a change of subject up to the fourth semester is generally harmless. The exact consequences depend on your case, so discuss the change with the office beforehand.
Do I still need to prepare the proof?
Yes, as long as the current rule applies. Prepare your documents so that you can present them quickly if asked. If a required proof is missing, this can have consequences for your funding.
Does the change also apply to master’s students?
The draft refers to the subject semester without regulating the particulars of a master’s programme separately. Whether the count works differently there should be clarified with the competent office before you rely on it.
Where can I find the current status?
The German Bundestag publishes the progress of the procedure, for example through printed matter 21/8405 and its short news items on the draft. For your personal situation, the competent office remains the right point of contact.
What to Do Next
- Check which subject semester you are in and when your next proof is due.
- Keep all proofs of academic progress in order until the change is promulgated.
- Follow the final text and the transitional rules as soon as they are settled.
- Clarify the consequences of any planned change of course with the office in advance.
Related Reading
- BAföG Reform 2027: What Is Changing and When
- BAföG-Reform im Bundestag: Was im Gesetzgebungsverfahren noch offen ist (in German)
- BAföG-Reform: Gilt sie auch für laufende Förderungen? (in German)
- BAföG Age Limit: Studying Over 30 and Funding in 2026
- BAföG-Stufenplan bis 2029: Die geplanten Erhöhungen im Überblick (in German)
Sources: Printed matter 21/8405, government draft for the 30th BAföG amendment, 7 October 2026 (German), German Bundestag, news item on the draft, October 2026 (German), Deutsches Studierendenwerk, BAföG FAQ, status January 2026 (German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
