Financing a second degree in Germany is harder than financing a first one, because many state support schemes apply only in a limited way. Anyone starting a second degree needs an early plan that combines a loan, a scholarship and part-time work. This guide sets out the rules for 2026, works through an example and explains where the limits lie. For the cost side, see our guide to second degrees: costs, child benefit, BAföG and taxes.
Short answer: BAföG for a second degree is available only in exceptional cases (section 7 BAföG). The KfW student loan is available up to the age of 44 and pays up to 650 euros per month, with an effective interest rate of 6.38 percent from October 2026. Student assistants may work up to 20 hours per week. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- BAföG for a second degree is possible only in the cases of section 7 subsections 2 and 3 BAföG, usually for an important reason to switch or stop.
- The KfW student loan is open up to the age of 44. The funding period depends on your age at the start.
- Deutschlandstipendium scholarships pay 300 euros per month regardless of income, but are tied to the university.
- As a student assistant, you remain exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance as long as you stay at or below 20 hours per week.
- For child benefit during a second degree that follows a first degree, the limit is 20 hours of paid work per week.
Why is BAföG usually excluded for a second degree?
Under section 7 subsection 2 BAföG, support for a further training course is paid only if it complements a completed higher education course to the extent legally required for the intended profession, or if special circumstances of the individual case require the training goal. A third route is the abandonment or change of field for an important reason (section 7 subsection 3 BAföG).
| Situation | BAföG for a second degree | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| The second degree legally complements the first one | possible | Section 7 subsection 2 no. 2 BAföG |
| Change or abandonment of the first degree for an important reason | generally possible; for a change, an important reason is presumed up to the 4th semester | Section 7 subsection 3 BAföG |
| Other cases without special circumstances | generally excluded | Section 7 subsection 2 sentence 2 BAföG |
| Start at the age of 45 or older | excluded | Section 10 subsection 3 BAföG |
If you abandon your first degree and start another, document the reasons for the change. The Office for Training Support (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) decides in each case whether an important reason exists. Advice from that office or from the student services helps you judge whether an application is worthwhile. More on studying at an older age is in our guide to studying at 45.
Which loans are possible for a second degree?
The KfW student loan is the most important option, because it is tied to age rather than to the first degree. The figures below come from the KfW leaflet (status 11/2023) and the interest rate valid from 1 October 2026. KfW confirms before you apply whether a second degree is eligible in your case.
| Feature | KfW student loan |
|---|---|
| Age limit | at most 44 years on 1 April or 1 October before the start of financing |
| Monthly payment | 100 to 650 euros |
| Funding period by age | 14 semesters up to age 24, 10 semesters up to age 34, 6 semesters up to age 44 |
| Maximum total at 14 semesters | 54,600 euros |
| Effective annual interest rate | 6.38 percent from 1 October 2026, adjusted on 1 April and 1 October |
| Grace period | 18 to 23 months, during which no repayment is due |
Assumption: you are 31, start a second degree in October 2026 and want to draw 400 euros per month over ten semesters. At six months per semester, that is 10 × 6 × 400 euros, or 24,000 euros. This sum is below the maximum of 39,000 euros for the funding period at your age (10 × 6 × 650 euros), and interest is charged on top. For a comparison of loans, see our guide to student loans.
The federal Bildungskredit from the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt) is a further option. The office publishes its conditions, instalments and age limits at bva.bund.de. Check there before you apply that the figures shown are current.
Which scholarships are open to second-degree students?
The Deutschlandstipendium pays 300 euros per month regardless of income. Half comes from the federal government and half from private donors. It can be combined with BAföG and is not offset against it. There is no legal entitlement, and the university decides whether second-degree students are admitted. The scholarship foundations have their own rules. According to their published figures, the maximum rate in October 2026 is 855 euros per month, income-dependent under BAföG rules, plus an income-independent study cost allowance of 300 euros (rates as of 10/2026).
Scholarships are not the only option. Our overview of scholarships for students explains the types and requirements.
How much can a job bring in during a second degree?
Student assistants are exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance if they work no more than 20 hours per week. They remain subject to pension insurance. The statutory minimum wage is 13.90 euros gross per hour (2026) and rises to 14.60 euros (2027). The mini-job limit in 2026 is 603 euros per month. Details are in our guide to the 20-hour rule for student assistants.
Assumption: you work ten hours per week at the minimum wage. That gives 139 euros per week, or about 602 euros gross per month (139 × 52 ÷ 12). With a monthly need of 1,000 euros, a gap of 398 euros remains, which you must cover with savings, support or a loan. The figure is gross, and deductions for income tax and pension insurance are not calculated.
Where is the limit for child benefit?
After a completed first degree, child benefit for a second degree is paid only if the child works no more than 20 hours per week (section 32 subsection 4 EStG). A mini-job and work related to the training do not count against the limit. If you plan both degrees, keep the working hours in mind between the two stages.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get BAföG if I abandoned my first degree?
Possibly, if the abandonment happened for an important reason (section 7 subsection 3 BAföG). For higher education, the important reason is generally presumed if the change or abandonment takes place by the start of the fourth semester. Later, you need to document the reasons more precisely.
Do I have to repay the KfW loan while I am studying?
No. After payment, a grace period of 18 to 23 months follows, during which no repayment is due. Repayment then begins. The loan must be repaid within 25 years at most or by the age of 67.
Do the same age limits apply to BAföG and the KfW loan?
No. For BAföG, the age limit at the start of training is 45 (section 10 subsection 3 BAföG). The KfW student loan ends at 44 on the reference date. The two limits are not identical and must be checked separately.
Can I combine a scholarship with BAföG?
That depends on the scholarship. The Deutschlandstipendium can be combined with BAföG and is not offset against it. Other scholarships may be treated differently. Clarify before accepting how the funding affects BAföG.
What to do now
- Before enrolling, find out whether a BAföG exception applies to your second degree, for example through the student services.
- Check the age limit and funding period with KfW or your bank before you apply for a loan.
- Apply for a scholarship at your university and observe its deadlines.
- Plan your work so that you stay within the 20-hour limit for child benefit and insurance exemption.
- Calculate your monthly needs and compare loan, work and savings in one table.
Related guides
- Second degree: costs, child benefit, BAföG and taxes
- Student loan comparison, criteria and rates 2026
- Studying over 30: financing with BAföG, grants and loans
- Student job 20-hour rule, pension and semester breaks
Sources: Section 7 BAföG, further training (status 2026), Section 10 BAföG, age limit (status 2026), Section 32 EStG, child benefit and paid work (status 2026), KfW leaflet on the student loan (status 11/2023, interest rate 10/2026), Minimum wage ordinance 2026 and 2027 (status 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
