Financing options

Secure student financing is an important factor when deciding on a degree programme and not insignificant for your academic success.

(copy 2)

Foto: Martin Rehm
Zu sehen sind Geldscheine und Münzen.

In principle, your parents are obliged to support you financially until you have obtained your first professional qualification. This includes continuing your studies if this is what makes it possible for you to work. Many students also earn some extra money through a part-time job.

In addition, there are a variety of funding options (scholarships, loan financing) or social benefits such as BAföG or benefits under the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II). The federal government, the federal states, the municipalities or individual cities, for example, also provide additional funding.

Die Grafik zeigt die verschiedenen Finanzierungsquellen von Studierenden im Bezugsjahr 2021. Bezugsgruppe "Fokus-Typ). Demnach werden 90 Prozent der Studierenden von Eltern und Verwandten unterstützt (arithm. Mittel 463 €), 68 Prozent gehen einer Erwerbstätigkeit nach (arithm. Mittel 516 €), 18 Prozent erhalten BAföG (arithm. Mittel 582 €). 48 Prozent finanzieren das Studium mit eigenen Mitteln (arithm. Mittel 318 €), elf Prozent werden von dem*der Partner*in unterstützt (arithm. Mittel 578 €). Fünf Prozent erhalten ein Stipendium (arithm. Mittel 127 €), 16 Prozent nehmen einen Kredit in Anspruch (arithm. Mittel 472 €) und 66 Prozent nutzen sonstige Finanzierungsquellen (arithm. Mittel 300 €). Quelle: BMBF / 22. Sozialerhebung (2023)

Topics

  • ‘BAföG’ is the abbreviation for the Federal Training Assistance Act. It is a state social benefit designed to enable young people to complete a course of study - regardless of their social and economic situation. 
  • Almost two thirds of students work alongside their studies - either regularly or occasionally. Ideally, a part-time job should not only provide a salary, but also practical experience relevant to your studies. 
  • Students are generally not entitled to a citizen's allowance under the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II) if their training is eligible for support under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) and they live… 
  • There are various ways to finance your studies in addition to or completely through an education or student loan. 
Stand: 09.07.2025