The study start grant (Studienstarthilfe) is a one-off payment for the start of studies, and its application deadline is short. Anyone who misses it quickly asks whether it can still be saved. The answer lies in two provisions: section 56 BAföG sets the deadline, and section 27 of the Social Code Book X (SGB X) governs reinstatement into the previous position.
Short answer: Under section 56 BAföG, the application for the study start grant must be filed by the end of the month that follows the month in which training begins. Reinstatement into the previous position under section 27 SGB X can help if the deadline was missed without fault. Such an application can no longer be filed one year after the deadline has ended. Last updated: November 2026.
The Most Important Points in Brief
- The deadline ends at the end of the month after training begins.
- Under section 56 BAföG, the application must be submitted electronically through the BAföG Digital portal.
- Reinstatement is only an option if you missed the deadline without fault.
- The fault of a representative is attributed to you.
- One year after the end of the deadline, reinstatement can no longer be applied for, except in cases of force majeure.
Until When Must I Apply?
Under section 56 subsection 1 BAföG, the application can be filed until the end of the month that follows the month in which training begins. The law sets a fixed point in time for filing. The deadline is therefore not tied to the first lecture but to the month in which your training starts.
| Start of training (assumed) | Application possible until (worked example) |
|---|---|
| October 2026 (winter semester) | 30 November 2026 |
| April 2027 (summer semester) | 31 May 2027 |
The table is a worked example that follows directly from the wording of the provision. You must insert the actual start of your training yourself, because it depends on your enrolment.
Which Requirements Must I Meet?
Under section 56 BAföG, the study start grant is aimed at first-year students who have not yet turned 25 at the start of training. In addition, they must have received certain social benefits in the month before training began, such as Bürgergeld (basic income support) or Wohngeld (housing benefit). The full list is in the law. Some requirements must be proven with evidence that you attach to the application.
Anyone who misses the deadline should first check whether the other requirements are met at all. Reinstatement helps with the deadline, but not with a missing benefit receipt or with age. The article Study start grant: which benefit receipt in the previous month counts explains the benefit requirement.
What Does Reinstatement into the Previous Position Mean?
Reinstatement is a procedure that reopens a missed deadline under narrow conditions. Under section 27 subsection 1 SGB X, a person who was prevented from observing a statutory deadline without fault is granted reinstatement on application. Without fault means that you did not let the deadline pass through your own negligence. An example would be a sudden serious illness that stopped you from filing the application.
You must accept the fault of a representative as your own. If a person who was supposed to file the application for you missed the deadline, this counts as if you had missed it yourself. This affects, for example, parents or counselling services you tasked with the application.
When Is Reinstatement Excluded?
Under section 27 subsection 3 SGB X, reinstatement can no longer be applied for once one year has passed since the end of the missed deadline. The omitted act can then no longer be completed either. The only exception applies if the deadline could not be met before the year ended because of force majeure.
| Situation | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Deadline missed, reason without own fault | Reinstatement may be considered. The responsible office decides case by case. |
| Deadline missed due to forgetfulness or lack of knowledge | A fault is likely, reinstatement is doubtful. |
| More than one year since the deadline ended | Reinstatement is no longer possible, except in cases of force majeure. |
The assessment in the table is only a guide. The office decides whether your reason counts as without fault. Good documentation helps, so collect evidence of the reason early.
How to Proceed Now
- Check in which month your training began and until when the application would have been valid.
- Submit the application through BAföG Digital as soon as you can and keep all evidence ready.
- Document the reason for the delay with proof, for example a medical certificate.
- If you have a reason without your own fault, file an application for reinstatement and justify it in writing.
- If you are unsure, ask the responsible office which steps are necessary and ask for the decision in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file the application online?
Yes, under section 56 BAföG, the application must be filed electronically through the BAföG Digital portal. You need the appropriate login details and the evidence in digital form. The steps in the portal are described in the article BAföG application online step by step, BAföG Digital.
Can I simply submit the application late?
According to the wording of section 56 BAföG, no exception for late applications is provided. The only route is therefore reinstatement under section 27 SGB X, which is tied to the conditions described above. Whether it succeeds in your case is for the responsible office to decide.
Who needs to know the deadline if a counselling service helps me?
Even if a counselling service or a trusted person helps you, the deadline remains your responsibility. The fault of the person acting for you is attributed to you. Clarify early who files the application and check that the deadline is met.
Where can I find the basics on the study start grant?
The basics on the amount and the application are in the guide study start grant: 1,000 euros for new students. It also sets out the further requirements, which are not repeated here in full.
Why the Deadline Is Worth Noting in Your Calendar
The deadline ends on a fixed date that depends on the month in which your training begins. Enter the closing date in your calendar as soon as you are enrolled, and set a reminder two weeks before. Anyone who calculates the deadline only afterwards loses time that is needed for evidence and any reinstatement.
A separate guide on the deadlines for the winter and summer semester is available in German. It gives an overview of the dates so that you can identify the right deadline for your start of studies.
Related Articles
- Study start grant: deadlines for the winter and summer semester
- Study start grant: which benefit receipt in the previous month counts
- BAföG Reform 2027: What Is Changing and When
- Study start grant: must I repay it, even after dropping out?
- BAföG application online step by step
Sources: section 56 BAföG, study start grant (gesetze-im-internet.de, status November 2026), section 27 SGB X, reinstatement into the previous position (gesetze-im-internet.de, status November 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
