Apply for additional BAföG student financial aid

Are you already receiving financial aid under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) and the amount isn't enough? Here you can find out in which cases you can receive more financial support.

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BAföG Digital

Detailed description

You receive your student financial aid under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) as a fixed lump sum. In exceptional cases, you may be eligible for additional support. Exceptional cases include:

  • Hardship cases: A hardship case exists when special personal or financial circumstances necessitate additional support. This could include, for example, accommodation in a boarding school. In this case, you may be granted additional benefits to cover accommodation costs.
  • Child supplement: If you have a child, you can receive extra money (child supplement) every month. If the other parent of the child also receives BAföG (student financial aid), the supplement is only paid to one parent.
 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You are entitled to educational assistance under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG).
  • You are facing a hardship case that requires additional support or
  • They have a child who is under 14 years old.

Documents required

If you wish to submit your application in writing, depending on the type of application:

  • Application for child supplement: "Form 04" and a copy of your child's birth certificate
  • Assumption of boarding school costs: "Form 02" on which the school confirms the costs incurred.

The required documents vary depending on the individual case. The responsible authority will inform you if further documents are needed. The online service will guide you through the application process and list the required documents.

Please note

The child supplement is a non-repayable grant. You must declare the child supplement when filing your tax return.



The office responsible for BAföG in Hamburg, within the Authority for Science, Research and Equality, can be reached via the functional mailbox bafoegfvfl@bwfg.hamburg.de

Deadlines

You must submit your application for additional benefits together with your BAföG application. You should submit the application 2 months before the start of your training.

Procedure

If you would like to submit your application online:

  • You access the online service.
  • You log in using the online ID function of your identity card, your electronic residence permit or your European eID.
  • You fill out the application online and upload any necessary documents.
  • The relevant authority will review your application.
  • If any documents are missing, the responsible authority will request them from you.
  • You will receive notification as to whether the additional benefits for your BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act) have been approved.
  • If you receive a positive response, the payments will be transferred to your specified account.

If you wish to apply for BAföG in writing:

  • You visit the website of the responsible authority and download the necessary application forms and documents.
  • You fill out all the required documents and send them to the responsible authority.
  • All further steps are the same as for the online application.

Processing time

If your documents are complete, processing may take up to 6 weeks.

Fees

There are no costs involved.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 14a of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__14a.html


Section 14b of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__14b.html

Links on the Internet

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Keywords: Education funding BAföG Federal Training Assistance Act Apply for additional BAföG benefits

Last updated: 17.07.2026