A student loan at 40 is possible, but the age limit of the KfW student loan sets the frame. If you study or complete a degree at 40, check the funding period, the maximum sum and the alternatives first. This guide shows what the limit of 44 years means in practice.
Short answer: According to the KfW leaflet, the KfW student loan is only available up to age 44, measured at a reference date before the financing starts (status November 2023). At 40, the scale for up to 44 applies, which means at most six semesters. At 650 euros a month, that is at most 23,400 euros. According to KfW, the interest rate has been 6.38 percent since 1 October 2026.
Key points
- The KfW student loan age limit is 44 years at most, measured at a reference date before the financing starts (leaflet, status November 2023).
- At 40, the scale for applicants up to 44 applies, which means at most six semesters.
- At 650 euros a month, six semesters give a maximum of 23,400 euros.
- BAföG has a different limit: no funding is paid if you have turned 45 when the training stage begins.
- Alternatives such as the Bildungskredit of the Federal Office of Administration have their own rules, which you need to check separately.
From which age is the KfW student loan out of reach?
The age limit depends on a reference date. According to the leaflet, you may be at most 44 years old, measured at 1 April or 1 October before the financing starts. The funding period follows a graded scale. The table shows how the maximum sum changes at 650 euros a month.
| Age at start of financing | Funding period | Maximum at 650 euros a month |
|---|---|---|
| up to 24 years | 14 semesters | 54,600 euros |
| up to 34 years | 10 semesters | 39,000 euros |
| up to 44 years | 6 semesters | 23,400 euros |
| from 45 years | no application possible | not applicable |
The figures come from the KfW leaflet, status November 2023. The KfW product page could not be retrieved during research, so check the current conditions directly with KfW or your bank before you apply.
What does the age limit of 44 mean in a calculation?
Assumption: you are 40 and want the loan for a master’s programme of six semesters. Then the funding period is at most six semesters under the scale, which is 36 months. At 650 euros a month, the payout total is 23,400 euros (650 times 36).
Assumption: you only draw 400 euros a month. The total then falls to 14,400 euros (400 times 36). Interest falls accordingly, because it is calculated on the amount actually paid out.
For how the interest affects such amounts, see the example in Student loan calculation example, which also explains why the figures are only an order of magnitude.
What alternatives exist from age 40?
If the age limit of the KfW student loan does not fit, other routes are worth a look. BAföG follows a different rule. Under Section 10 (3) BAföG, no funding is paid if you have turned 45 when the training stage begins (status October 2026). At 40, you can therefore often still apply, as long as the stage starts before your 45th birthday. The details are in BAföG age limit and changing subject.
The Bildungskredit of the Federal Office of Administration is a different product with its own rules. Monthly instalments are set at 100, 200 or 300 euros, and the total ranges from 1,000 to 7,200 euros. Whether and up to which age it is available should be confirmed directly with the Federal Office, because the sources checked do not state this clearly. More on the application is in Bildungskredit: application, interest and repayment 2026 (in German).
For further training alongside work, the Aufstiegs-BAföG route can also be relevant. Its conditions differ from those of a degree, so see Aufstiegs-BAföG for graduates if you want a qualification next to your job.
How should repayment be planned after a later start?
The leaflet names a repayment period of at most 25 years or until age 67. For a start at 40, the question is how long you want and can repay after the payout and grace period end. Plan the instalment so it stays affordable even with a later income. According to the leaflet, the grace period lasts 18 to 23 months.
For people starting their careers, the key question is when income can carry the instalment. A calculation with monthly amount and term helps before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How is the age calculated?
The leaflet ties the limit to a reference date, 1 April or 1 October before the financing starts. If you turn 44 shortly after such a date, check the exact timing before you plan the application. The lender decides on the basis of the documents.
Can I still get a student loan at 40?
Yes, if you do not exceed the age limit on the relevant reference date and meet the other conditions. The funding period is then shorter, at most six semesters on the scale up to 44 years.
Is BAföG still possible at 40?
Often yes, because the BAföG limit is 45 years at the start of the training stage. What counts is your age on the day the stage begins, not on the day you apply. The rules on counting income and assets apply in addition.
What to do next
- Determine your age on the relevant reference date and the planned start of financing.
- Check whether a BAföG claim starts before your 45th birthday before you apply for a loan.
- Calculate the maximum sum for your funding period at 650 euros or a smaller monthly amount.
- Compare the KfW student loan with the Bildungskredit and a bank offer before you decide.
Checklist before you apply
- Note the reference date for the age limit and fix the start of financing
- Set the monthly amount and the number of months by what you need, not by the maximum
- Include the grace period of 18 to 23 months in your financial plan
- Set the repayment against the income you expect after graduation
- Compare alternatives such as BAföG, the Bildungskredit and bank offers side by side
Is a student loan at 40 worth it at all?
That depends on whether the degree raises your income enough for the instalment to be affordable. Set a realistic lower estimate of your income after graduation against the instalment. A loan that only covers running costs should be well justified.
Related guides
- Student loans compared: criteria and status 2026 (in German)
- KfW student loan 2026: interest, payout and repayment (in German)
- Bildungskredit: application, interest and repayment 2026 (in German)
- Studying over 30: financing with BAföG, grants and loans
Sources: KfW leaflet on the student loan (status November 2023); KfW questions and answers on the student loan (status October 2026); Section 10 BAföG, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved 26 Oct 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
