BAf?G - special regulations for pregnancy and raising children
Pregnancy
In principle, the grant is only paid to the student who is actually pursuing their education. However, it is also paid for as long as the student is prevented from pursuing her studies due to pregnancy, but not beyond the end of the third calendar month of the pregnancy-related interruption to her studies (§ 15 Para. 2a). As soon as it is foreseeable that the three months will be exceeded, you are obliged to inform the BAf?G office of the interruption to your studies. If you interrupt your studies, you should check whether you may be entitled to citizen's allowance. The Family Service Office will be happy to advise you on this.
Extension of the entitlement to support
According to § 15 para. 3 no. 5 BAf?G, funding can be granted for a "reasonable period" beyond the maximum funding period if this has been exceeded due to pregnancy or the care and upbringing of a child up to the age of 14.
As a rule, the following extensions are granted:
- for the pregnancy: 1 semester,
- until the child reaches the age of 5: 1 semester per year of age,
- for the child's 6th and 7th year: 1 semester in total,
- for the child's 8th to 10th year of life: 1 semester in total,
- for the child's 11th to 14th year of life: 1 semester in total.
The pregnancy and/or the care or upbringing of the child must be the reason for the extension of the study period. The Office for Educational Support responsible for you will clarify whether this requirement is met in each individual case.
The extension periods for bringing up children can be divided between both studying parents. To do this, the parents must submit a declaration stating how the childcare was divided between them.
It is also important that the extension periods taken into account do not ultimately lead to an increase in the "BAf?G debt"; in accordance with § 17 Para. 2 No. 2 BAf?G, the funding is paid in full as a grant for the period in which educational support is provided in accordance with § 15 Para. 3 No. 5 BAf?G beyond the maximum funding period.
Childcare allowance according to § 14b BAf?G
BAf?G recipients who live in a household with their child/children receive the so-called childcare supplement. If both parents are entitled to funding under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAf?G), they must agree who will receive the childcare allowance. Further information, e.g. on the amount of the supplement, can be found here. All own children up to the age of 14 count. The childcare allowance is granted as a subsidy and therefore does not have to be repaid.
Late submission of proof of performance according to § 48 BAf?G
After the 4th semester, a certificate of achievement must be submitted to the BAf?G office confirming that the usual level of education has been achieved up to that point. The transcript of records can also be submitted later under certain conditions. In the event of a delay in studies due to pregnancy or the care and upbringing of a child up to the age of 14, the Office for Educational Support may authorise the submission of this certificate of achievement at a later date in accordance with § 48 Para. 2 BAf?G.
A late submission of the proof of performance does not change the maximum funding period. A corresponding application for "funding beyond the maximum funding period" can be submitted at the appropriate time.
Age limit and BAf?G
Normally, students who start their studies at the age of 30 or older do not receive funding under BAf?G due to a fixed age limit. However, there is an exception for mothers or fathers who have not yet started their studies due to raising a child under the age of 14. They can be granted BAf?G even after the age limit has been exceeded if they can prove that they have mainly looked after the child and were therefore prevented from starting their studies earlier. Students who start their studies after the age of 30, apply for BAf?G benefits and are granted them due to raising a child under the age of 10 are eligible for parent-independent funding. Parent-independent sponsorship means that parents' income and assets are not used to calculate the amount of sponsorship.
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research, together with the German Student Union, offers a toll-free BAf?G hotline on 0800-22 36 341. You can also find current information on BAf?G on the following page.