Data released this week by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a notable decline in the number of individuals receiving monthly benefits under the Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG) in 2024. A total of 612,800 people received BAföG support, representing a decrease of 22,800 recipients, or four percent, compared to the previous year. This marks the lowest level of BAföG recipients since the year 2000, following slight increases observed in 2022 and 2023.
The average monthly BAföG payment amounted to €635 in 2024, a reduction of €5 compared to 2023. Consequently, federal expenditures for BAföG support decreased by nine percent, totaling €3.1 billion – a reduction of €316 million year-on-year.
Of those receiving BAföG, 79 percent were students (483,800) and 21 percent were pupils (129,000). Students received an average monthly benefit of €657, while pupils received €539. Individual benefit amounts vary depending on factors such as the type of educational institution attended, living arrangements (with parents or elsewhere) and the income of the recipient and their parents.
The majority of BAföG recipients were younger than 25 and, similar to previous years, women comprised a larger proportion, representing 59 percent of recipients compared to 41 percent of men. Furthermore, 71 percent of recipients did not reside with their parents.
A new support instrument, “Studienstarthilfe” (Study Start-Up Assistance), was introduced in the winter semester of 2024/2025. This provides a one-time financial grant of €1,000 upon the commencement of studies. This grant is targeted at individuals under 25 years of age who were receiving specific social benefits prior to starting their studies and are enrolling in higher education for the first time. Funding through “Studienstarthilfe” is independent of potential ongoing monthly BAföG payments.
In 2024, 10,700 individuals were supported through “Studienstarthilfe” representing a federal expenditure of €10.7 million.
The eligibility for “Studienstarthilfe” was often based on prior receipt of benefits under SGB II (“Citizen’s Income”), which accounted for 61 percent of recipients. Receipt of child benefit under the Federal Child Benefit Act was the basis for 21 percent of recipients, while 16 percent received housing benefit under the Housing Benefit Act. As with BAföG recipients, the proportion of women amongst those receiving “Studienstarthilfe” (57 percent) was higher than that of men (43 percent).