Study start-up aid

There are many costs involved when starting university: buying a laptop or tablet, learning materials or paying the rent deposit. In order to make it easier for first-year students from low-income families to start their studies, the federal government has been paying a student start-up grant since the winter semester 2024/25.

One-off gift of €1,000 (does not have to be repaid)

The study start-up grant can be applied for independently of any subsequent BAföG entitlement and is not offset against BAföG.

Who can apply for the study start-up grant:

• You are under 25 years old AND
• are enrolled for the first time at a university or academy in a full-time course of study AND
• have, for example, in the month before the start of your studies received one of these benefits:o   Bürgergeld (SGB II)o   Sozialhilfe (SGB XII)o   Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung (SGB XII)o   Leistungen nach dem Sozialen Entschädigungsrecht zum Lebensunterhalt (SGB XIV)o   Supplementary assistance for subsistence in accordance with § 145 paragraph 1 of the Fourteenth Book of the Social Code in conjunction with § 27a of the Federal Pension Act  (SGB XIV)o   supplementary child allowance (≠ child benefit)o   housing benefito   benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Acto   a child and youth welfare benefit referred to in Section 91 (1) of Book Eight of the Social Code 

Application

The application is submitted via BAföGdigital. An application for study start aid can only be submitted by the end of the month following the month in which the course begins. Example: If the winter semester at the university starts on October 1, you can submit the application by November 30.

If you have any questions regarding content or technical problems, you can contact the BAföGdigital service hotline. You can reach them Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on 0800 223 63 41.