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.
