Parliament passes Bafög update, increasing financial aid for students.
This story is about an upcoming law that will result in some significant changes for students. The law will see a 5% increase in regulation limits and raises in housing and parental allowances. The maximum Bafög amount is at the moment 934 euros, and the housing allowance will go up by 20 euros to 380 euros, while the parental allowance will be 0.25% higher at 5.25%. This law is set to take effect at the beginning of the new academic year on August 1st.
Before this law was passed, there was a disagreement among the traffic light coalition. The initial cabinet decision in March only proposed a new study grant but no raise in regulation limits. This sparked criticism from student representatives, as well as the SPD and Green factions of the coalition. The traffic light parties then agreed to a revised version of the law.
The law also adds some simplifications for beneficiaries. For example, students will have until the beginning of the fifth semester to change their study subjects if there is a valid reason. Previously, a change would only be possible until the start of the third semester. Additionally, students will be able to change their subject without reason until the fourth semester.
The federal government is also introducing a "flexibility semester" with this amending law. This flexibility semester will allow students to receive funding without providing reasons beyond the funding limit for one semester.
Another change scheduled for the coming winter semester is a 20 euro increase in the monthly repayment rate from 130 euros to 150 euros.
We'll see how these changes will play out for students, but for now, it's clear that the law brings some notable modifications for them.
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- The Bundestag's approval of the Bafög amendment will provide a '-' 5% increase in financial aid limits for students, enhancing their ability to afford higher education costs in Berlin and across Germany.
- The traffic light coalition, facing criticism from student representatives and the SPD and Green factions, finally agreed to a revised version of the law, including an increase in the maximum Bafög subsidy from 934 to 987 euros.
- Apart from the financial aid adjustments, the law also offers benefits to students, such as extending the timeframe to change study subjects until the beginning of the fifth semester, thanks to the Bafög amendment.
- Students in Berlin and other cities will be delighted to learn that starting from the coming winter semester, they will receive a 20 euro 'money' boost in their monthly repayment rate, shifting their repayment rate from 130 to 150 euros per month.
