- The count of individuals receiving Bafög funding in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern experienceingly dipped.
BAföG recipients in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern saw a slight drop in 2023, but the state disbursed more funds overall.
Statistics show that 13,125 students and learners received financial aid under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) in the northeastern region in 2023, a decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Most of these recipients were students, totaling almost 10,000.
A possible reason for this slight decrease in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern could be the long-term decrease in the number of first-year students. According to statistics, around 7,000 young people started university in the northeast in 2010, compared to only over 5,800 in 2022. This decrease in students was also reflected in the number of BAföG recipients, which fell from 24,670 to 13,330 between 2010 and 2022. However, this figure includes support for learners as well.
BAföG funds have significantly increased
The average monthly funding amount has increased by approximately 50% since 2010, rising from 417 to 644 euros. The maximum funding amount, which can exceed 800 euros in certain cases, depends on various factors such as living situation and study location.
The total amount spent by the state on BAföG in 2023 was around 72 million euros. Of this, 43.7 million euros were granted as subsidies, while 28.5 million euros were given as loans. The total amount spent was 10% higher than in 2022. According to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, total BAföG expenditure in Germany increased by 14% to 3.4 billion euros. Nationwide, there were 635,600 BAföG recipients, an increase of 0.9% compared to the previous year.
Delays in Reforms Affected Impact
"BAföG is the most crucial tool for enabling students from less-affluent backgrounds to attend university," said Bettina Martin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister of Science (SPD).
She regretted that BAföG had temporarily lost some of its impact due to delays in necessary reforms. She was pleased that the federal government had now increased the number of eligible recipients and the amounts, despite pressure from the states, through two BAföG reforms.
Another Increase on the Horizon
The basic student allowance will increase from its current 452 euros to 475 euros for the upcoming winter semester, while the housing allowance for those not living with their parents will increase from 360 euros to 380 euros. This reform will also lead to an increase in BAföG amounts for learners, with the changes taking effect at the beginning of the new school year.
The Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) was enacted in 1971. In everyday language, the term "BAföG" now refers to the actual cash grant. Initially, it was a pure grant without the need for repayment. However, it later transformed into a full loan. Since 1990, the rule has been that half is given as a grant and the other half must be repaid.
Despite the decrease in BAföG recipients in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's meadows, the overall funding disbursed by the state increased in 2023, surpassing the 2022 figure by 10%.
Despite the drop in BAföG recipients in the meadows, the state's investment in educational support, including both grants and loans, has led to a significant increase in the average monthly funding amount since 2010.
