BAföG
Generally, the abbreviation “BAföG” stands for “Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz”, in English: Federal Training Assistance Act.
With BAföG you can claim up to 934 € a month. You must pay back half, up to a maximum of 10.010 €, in the form of an interest-free loan.
International students are able to claim BAföG under a few restrictions. Eligibility for receiving BAföG is split between EU citizens and non-EU citizens.
BAföG for EU citizens
To receive BAföG as an EU citizen, you must meet one of the following conditions:
– Right of permanent residence
– You work as an employee or self-employed person and enjoy freedom of movement within the EU.
– You have been employed in relation to training in the past.
BAföG for non-EU citizens
– One of your parents lived in Germany for three of the last six years, while being legally employed, all before you started studying.
– Married to a German national and have moved to Germany.
– Have already lived in Germany for 5 years, gainfully employed.
– In possession of a settlement permit or permanent residence EU permit under the Residence Act.
student loans / educational funds
Student loans
With a student loan, you finance your studies and repay the loan, usually after graduation. This allows you to concentrate on your studies without financial worries. Of course, you are still free to choose the financial scope of your student loan. If you only need a little financial support, the rest of the money you need can be raised in other ways, such as a job.
The student loan is similar to the BAföG loan, with the difference that you must pay back the borrowed amount with interest. This model of financing your studies is particularly suitable if BAföG is not an option for you, which, as an international student, is probably the case.
Educational funds
Educational funds are very similar to student loans, but the biggest difference is the repayment. With an educational fund, the repayment is linked to your future income. If you earn less after graduation, you also pay less back into the education fund. Taking out an education fund is generally subject to stricter conditions than a student loan.
Before taking out a student loan or education fund, find out about the various conditions such as interest rate, one-off or monthly payment, repayment period and other factors. Click here to find out more about educational funds.
Everything around student loans
Scholarships
Scholarships are a form of financial support for students who show good performance or a high level of commitment. The best thing about scholarships is that you don't have to pay them back.
It is a widespread myth that a scholarship is hard to get. In truth, your chances of getting a scholarship are not that bad. There is a wide range of scholarships that are awarded by foundations, companies or even universities themselves.
It is important to know that you must apply for the respective scholarship. Documents such as a CV and a motivational letter are often required. You can score with good performance, volunteer work, but also with activities such as caring for a family member. Your financial background can also play a role.
A wide variety of scholarships in Germany are available to international students as well.
How to apply for a scholarshipJobs
Mini jobs
Mini jobs are widespread jobs in Germany, which allow you to work up to 10 hours a week, earning up to 520 € monthly.
Common student mini jobs are jobs such as waitressing, tutoring (especially as an international student!) or being a cashier. Since mini jobs are not exclusive to students, you are sure to find some mini jobs locally.
Working student jobs
As a working student, you enjoy other advantages as well as disadvantages compared to a mini job. As a working student, you are entitled to work up to 20 hours a week (part-time) during the standard period of study. During the semester break, you can also work 40 hours a week (full-time). By working more hours than in a mini job, you earn more, but you may also have less free time or time to study.
Be aware, that as a non-EU citizen, you are “only” allowed to work for 120 full days a year.
For working student jobs, students are often sought in a degree programme that matches the advertised position, so you can score points with work experience after graduation, similar to the dual degree programme.
More information on jobsDual Study programme
Usually, a dual/cooperative study programme is always linked to a private university. To start a dual study programme as an international student, there are both private universities that support you in finding a company and companies that cooperate with certain universities within the frame of the dual study programme. This way, you work in a company and study, whereby the content of your studies and your work are directly connected.
Your employer often finances your dual study programme. Depending on your workload and/or tuition fees, you may even have some money left over.
The dual study programme is particularly good for your later career, as you can already score points with employers at the end of your studies with several years of professional experience.
The balance between studying and working can be very different here and depends on the employer and the university. There are degree programmes where you study for about three months and then work in your company for three months. Models of weekly alternation are also common (one week working at the company, one week studying at the university) or a study model in which you work three days a week and study the remaining two days.
Knowing a foreign language can be a big plus! But keep in mind that dual study programmes are taught entirely in German, proficiency level B may be enough, but most often C-level is required.
All dual study programs in GermanyComments (0)
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