German Government to Advance Bafög Reform for Student Aid

The German government is set to advance its reform of the Bafög federal student aid program next week, following prolonged discussions. The cabinet is scheduled to review the plans on August 12, marking the first step before the bill proceeds to the Bundestag for deliberation. Students receiving Bafög are expected to benefit from increased financial aid starting next summer semester. Originally planned for the upcoming winter semester, the increase in the housing cost allowance was postponed by six months due to the federal government's strained financial situation. A further increase in the basic Bafög allowance is slated for the winter semester of 2027/28. The reform's ultimate objective is to progressively elevate Bafög assistance to match the level of basic social security. In 2024, approximately 612,800 students and pupils received Bafög, a state-funded program designed to reduce the dependency of education on parental income.