In short
BAföG with a child gives you two separate entitlements that you should check separately. For each child under 14 there is a childcare supplement of €160 a month. You do not have to repay it. In addition, the maximum funding period can be extended if you could not study because you were caring for or raising a child. You apply for both at the BAföG office.
| Benefit | Information | Basis and status |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare supplement | €160 a month per child under 14, grant | Section 14b BAföG, student services, no date, retrieved 20 October 2026 |
| Extension of the maximum funding period | In case of caring for or raising a child, on a case-by-case basis | Section 15(3) BAföG, student services, retrieved 20 October 2026 |
| Reform of the benefit | Bill, not yet in force | Government bill on the BAföG amendment, retrieved 20 October 2026 |
What exactly is the childcare supplement?
The supplement is meant to cushion the costs of childcare that arise during your studies. It is paid on top of the normal BAföG benefit if you care for your own child who is not yet 14 years old. The supplement is a grant. It is therefore not part of the loan, and you do not have to repay it.
The supplement does not depend on your income. However, it is only paid if you are yourself eligible for funding. If you are above the allowance threshold or do not receive funding for other reasons, you do not get the supplement either.
How do I calculate the supplement for BAföG with a child?
The following example shows how the supplement affects a student with one child when the monthly funding is €500. The calculation is simplified and does not replace the notice.
- Monthly BAföG benefit without a child: €500, of which €250 is grant and €250 is loan.
- Childcare supplement for one child under 14: €160 a month, as a grant.
- New monthly benefit: €660, of which €410 is grant and €250 is loan.
- With two children under 14, the supplement applies to each child, that is €320 a month in total.
Whether the supplement applies to both children is for the BAföG office to check. The calculation above only shows the principle. The notice you receive is decisive.
How is the maximum funding period extended?
The maximum funding period is the number of months for which BAföG can be paid. It is extended if you could not study for an important reason. Caring for or raising a child counts as one of these reasons. The extension is examined and applied for on a case-by-case basis. There is no automatic extension.
What matters is that you can prove the reason. The birth certificate or proof of the childcare helps. The extension is not unlimited. If you exceed the period, you must file the application in good time, before the funding period ends. The office then decides on the period.
What is the age limit, and what remains unclear?
For the supplement, the age limit of 14 is decisive. Other criteria apply to the extension of the maximum funding period, which do not depend on age alone. The student services name case-by-case review and do not name a fixed age limit for all cases. You should ask the office about this specifically.
The legislator plans a reform of BAföG. The bill provides for higher rates and other allowances. It is not yet in force, and whether and when the changes apply is not certain. If you are planning today, calculate with the current rules and check the reform again later.
How should I proceed now?
- Submit the BAföG application with details of the child and attach the birth certificate.
- Apply for the childcare supplement explicitly if the form does not record it automatically.
- Report periods of pregnancy, maternity protection or childcare to the BAföG office.
- Apply for the extension before the end of the funding period.
- Clarify in writing how parental allowance and child benefit affect your funding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the childcare supplement in BAföG?
The supplement is €160 a month for each child under 14. It is paid as a grant and does not have to be repaid.
Up to what age is the supplement paid?
Up to the day the child turns 14. After that the supplement ends. An extension of the maximum funding period may still be possible.
Does the funding period extend because of a child?
Yes. The maximum funding period can be extended if you could not study because you were caring for or raising a child. The application is handled by the BAföG office.
Is the planned BAföG reform already in force?
No. The changes are in a bill and not yet in force. They are to apply from 2027 at the earliest, but this is not confirmed in full.
Related articles
- Applying for BAföG: application, deadlines and documents (in German)
- Child benefit during studies: entitlement and requirements (in German)
- Studying with a child: money and insurance (in German)
- Parental allowance as a student: minimum amount, application and BAföG (in German)
Sources and verification
- Student services, BAföG FAQ, status January 2026, retrieved 20 October 2026. Secondary source for the supplement and the extension.
- Sections 14b and 15 BAföG, gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved 20 October 2026.
- bafög.de, overview of the childcare supplement and the maximum funding period, retrieved 20 October 2026. Secondary source.
- BAföG amendment act in the government bill, retrieved 20 October 2026. Status of the bill, not in force.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Editorial team: Academycon
If you want to check what BAföG with a child means for you, the next step is the online check from Academycon.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide does not replace individual advice.
