Amount of Non-Contributory Assets
Under BAföG, the applicant’s assets are assessed to determine if they have financial resources that can be used to fund their vocational training (Ausbildung). However, a certain amount of assets remains non-contributory, ensuring that applicants do not have to fear a reduction in their funding up to this limit.
Asset Limit for Applicants up to 29 Years
For applicants who have not yet turned 30, the amount of non-contributory assets is set at 15,000 euros. Only the amount that exceeds this limit is counted towards the funding. This means that an applicant with assets of up to 15,000 euros will not experience a reduction in their BAföG funding.
Asset Limit for Applicants Aged 30 and Over
Applicants who are older than 29 and, for example, apply for funding for a second vocational training (Ausbildung) or a continuing education BAföG benefit from a higher asset limit. For them, the non-contributory asset amount is 45,000 euros. This increase recognizes that older applicants have generally been employed longer and may have built up savings.
Special Allowances for Dependents
In addition to the applicant’s personal allowance, there are special allowances for dependents. For each dependent spouse or child of the applicant, an additional allowance of 2,300 euros is granted. These amounts are also not counted towards the funding and increase the total amount of non-contributory assets.
Determination of Contributory Assets
Only the part of the assets that exceeds the respective asset limit is considered contributory. The contributory assets are allocated proportionally over the approval period and therefore reduce the monthly BAföG funding accordingly. This regulation ensures that applicants with moderate assets still have the right to adequate funding.
Adjustment of the Allowance
The allowance for assets has been adjusted several times in recent years to account for rising living costs. The regular adjustments aim to ensure that trainees with moderate assets continue to have access to BAföG benefits. Future increases in the allowance are possible if the economic conditions change.