You apply for the study start-up aid (Studienstarthilfe) through BAföG Digital, and the deadline depends on the start of your studies. The rule sounds simple, but it is often calculated differently from what students expect. This guide explains the rule from the statute and shows how to find the date for your semester.
Short answer: You apply for the study start-up aid of 1,000 euros by the end of the month that follows your study start. The governing provision is § 56 BAföG (German law, in German). If your studies begin on 1 October, the deadline is 30 November. If they begin on 1 April, it is 31 May. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points
- The study start-up aid is 1,000 euros as a grant, which according to a state procedure description does not have to be repaid.
- The application is filed electronically through BAföG Digital. Anyone who cannot manage this alone receives support from the funding office or the authorised body.
- The deadline ends at the end of the month that follows the start of your studies. For a start in October, that is 30 November. For a start in April, it is 31 May.
- Many guides name exactly these dates. The binding deadline for your case is set by your funding office based on your study start.
- Proof of benefit receipt in the month before and of enrolment must be attached to the application.
How do you calculate your deadline?
The rule is simpler than it sounds. What matters is the month in which your studies begin. The application must be filed by the end of the following month. This matches the procedure description of a city administration and the wording of § 56(3) BAföG, which allows the application up to the end of the month after the start of training.
- Find the start of your studies as your university states it for your semester.
- Count the month of the start as the first month.
- The last day of the following month is your deadline.
- Ask your funding office if your semester start is unclear, because the office sets the start of training for your case.
Assumption: your studies begin on 1 October 2026. The deadline then falls on 30 November 2026. Students starting in April have until 31 May. The table shows the calculation for the next semesters.
| Study start (assumption) | Application deadline | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2026 | 30 November 2026 | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| 1 April 2027 | 31 May 2027 | Summer semester 2027 |
| 1 October 2027 | 30 November 2027 | Winter semester 2027/28 |
Why the deadline is often calculated wrongly
A semester start can look different in the calendar from the start that your funding office uses for its decision. Many people count from the first lecture or from the day of enrolment, although the start of training is what counts for the deadline. Put your university’s confirmation next to your calculation and clarify any differences in writing before you apply.
Plan the application early and collect the proof of benefit receipt and enrolment alongside your enrolment, so the deadline does not catch you unprepared.
How do you file the application online?
The application is filed electronically through the portal BAföG Digital. The statute names this procedure explicitly. If you cannot file the application yourself, the funding office or the authorised body will help. Support is therefore intended, even if the portal is unfamiliar to you.
In the application you state which benefits you received in the month before. You upload the proof of those benefits and the proof of enrolment. The portal itself explains which file formats are accepted. Scan the documents cleanly so the office can read them without asking again.
What happens if the deadline passes?
A missed deadline can be remedied only in exceptional cases. What is possible in your situation is for your funding office to decide. Our guide on a missed deadline describes the possible steps.
The simple rule is this: write the deadline in your calendar on the first day of the semester and file early. An application that arrives a few days before the deadline leaves room for questions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the application if I meet the requirements?
Yes. The study start-up aid is granted on application. Meeting the requirements does not mean the money is paid automatically. Without a timely application, the benefit is not paid.
Does the deadline also apply to the summer semester?
Yes, the same rule applies to every study start. If studies begin on 1 April, the deadline is 31 May. Only the month changes; the calculation stays the same.
Which proof do I have to attach?
The application must include proof of benefit receipt in the month before your study starts and proof of enrolment. Which notices count depends on the benefit. The month shown on the proof must be clearly visible, because the month before the start is the decisive one.
Does the aid have to be repaid?
According to the state procedure description, it does not. Repayment can be demanded only if information was false or incomplete. Our guide on repayment covers the case of a study dropout.
Where do I get the binding date?
Your responsible funding office for training assistance gives the binding date. The basis is the start of training that the university states. If anything is unclear, a written answer helps you prove the deadline later.
Checklist before you submit
Before you submit, check whether your study start appears in your calculation, whether you entered your age at the start correctly and whether all proofs are readable. Compare the information about benefit receipt and enrolment with your documents.
Once you have checked everything, save a copy of the application and the confirmation. That lets you show when you filed, which matters most when the deadline is close.
What to do now
- Check whether you are under 25 at the start of your studies and meet the other requirements.
- Put the deadline from the calculation above in your calendar.
- File the application through BAföG Digital with proof of benefits and enrolment.
- Confirm with the funding office that your study start is set as you assumed.
Related reading
- Study start-up aid: which benefit in the prior month counts
- Study start-up aid and the age limit of 25
- Study start-up aid: when the money reaches your account (in German)
- Study start-up aid and BAföG: can you get both?
- BAföG Reform 2027: What Is Changing and When
Sources: § 56 BAföG, study start-up aid (gesetze-im-internet.de, in German, retrieved November 2026), procedure description for study start-up aid, City of Heidelberg (approved 20 May 2026, in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
