Basis of Recognition
Internship compensations are generally considered as income and are taken into account when calculating the Bafög (Student Financial Aid) needs. A distinction is made between voluntary internships and mandatory internships. While compensations from voluntary internships are fully counted, there are special regulations for mandatory internships that allow for partial recognition or exemption from recognition.
Voluntary Internships
For voluntary internships that are not part of the vocational training (Ausbildung), the entire compensation is regarded as income. If the income exceeds the exempt amount of 520 Euros per month, the exceeding amount is proportionately considered in the approval period. The aim of this recognition is to ensure that applicants who undertake a voluntary internship and receive compensation only access funding as necessary.
Mandatory Internships
Compensations from mandatory internships that are required in the context of the vocational training (Ausbildung) may be exempt from recognition under certain conditions. This provision applies if the internship is a fixed part of the study or training plan and there is no freedom of choice. In such cases, the compensation remains non-deductible up to a specified amount to ensure that the applicant continues to receive financial support for the continuation of their training.
Example of Recognition
An applicant undertakes a voluntary internship and receives a monthly compensation of 800 Euros. The exempt amount for personal income is 520 Euros, resulting in 280 Euros as countable income. This amount is distributed over the months of the approval period. With an approval period of twelve months, a monthly recognition of 23.33 Euros is deducted from the Bafög support.
Proof of Internship Compensation
To carry out the recognition correctly, the applicant must submit appropriate proof of the internship compensation. This includes:
- Internship contract with details regarding the compensation and duration of the internship.
- Pay slips during the internship.
- Certificates from the educational institution clarifying whether it is a mandatory or voluntary internship.
Special Regulations for Mandatory Internships Abroad
The same recognition regulations apply to mandatory internships abroad as for domestic mandatory internships. Income from such an internship remains non-deductible up to a certain amount if it is part of the training plan and recognized by the Bafög office as eligible for funding. Income that exceeds the exempt amount is proportionately counted against the funding.
Impact on Funding
The recognition of internship compensations can lead to a reduction in Bafög funding, especially for voluntary internships with high compensations. However, the exempt amount regulation ensures that minor compensations do not affect the funding. In most cases, with mandatory internships, funding remains unchanged as long as the compensation is below the recognition limit.