Requirements for the Initial Application
The initial application can be submitted when the applicant begins a fundable vocational training (Ausbildung) at a recognized training institution and meets personal and financial requirements. These include age limits, nationality, and income and asset thresholds. Before submitting the application, the exact prerequisites should be reviewed to ensure eligibility for BAföG.
Required Documents
A variety of documents are needed for the initial application to verify the applicant’s personal and financial circumstances. The most important documents include:
- ID card or passport: Proof of the applicant’s identity.
- Proof of training institution: Enrollment certificate or confirmation of the start of training.
- Income statements of parents: Tax assessments from the previous calendar year as well as proof of other income.
- Proof of own income: Pay slips or other income documents from the applicant.
- Proof of assets: Bank statements, securities account statements, and other asset documents.
- Rental agreement: If the applicant no longer lives with their parents, a rental agreement is required to claim higher need rates.
Application Forms
For the initial application, the official BAföG forms must be filled out. These include, among others:
- Form 1: Application for Educational Support (Ausbildungsförderung)
- Form 3: Declaration of Parents’ Income
- Form 2: Confirmation from the Training Institution
- Form 4: Declaration of Own Assets
The forms are available at the responsible office for educational support or can be downloaded and filled out online via the portal BAföG-Digital.
Submission Options
The initial application can be submitted in person, by mail, or online. Submitting in person has the advantage of allowing immediate clarification of any questions. For postal submission, the application should be complete to avoid further inquiries. The online submission through the BAföG-Digital portal allows for an easy and quick application process.
Process After Application Submission
After the submission of the initial application, the responsible office for educational support checks the documents and determines whether and to what extent there is an entitlement to BAföG. If documents are missing, the office will request the applicant to provide the missing proofs. It is important to address these requests promptly to avoid delays.
Follow-up Application
After the validity period has expired, a follow-up application must be submitted to continue receiving support. The follow-up application also requires the submission of proof; however, generally fewer documents are needed than for the initial application.
Special Notes for the Initial Application
Since the initial application is typically more comprehensive than a follow-up application, sufficient time should be allocated for gathering the documents. Additionally, applicants should ensure that all forms are completed accurately and fully. Incorrect or incomplete applications often lead to delays or rejections.