Germany 2015/16 - student fees and grants

National student fee

In all of the German Länder, studying is free of charge for both full-time and part-time students. Lower Saxony was the last land to give up tuition fees, which it did in 2014/15. In the majority of Länder, low administrative fees are charged to all students.

Students in five Länder are liable to pay fees when exceeding the regular study period.

Students from outside the EU and EEA countries also do not pay fees.

Student grants

General public student support (BAföG) is awarded as a grant for one half of the individual amount, and as an interest free loan for the other half. Total amounts range from EUR 10 to EUR 670/month for 12 months/year. Eligibility and amount are determined by assessment of student need based on income, family situation, housing situation and disability. A maximum of EUR 10 000 needs to be paid back. The average amount paid for 2014 was EUR 5 376 per year (EUR 448 per month).

Students need to be under the age of 30 (35 for master studies) to be eligible for public student support.

Loans

An education loan (Bildungskredit) covers living costs which are not covered by BAföG. It is available of up to EUR 7 200. Also there is a Study loan (KfW-Studienkredit) of up to EUR 54 600. Both loans are paid out in monthly instalments.

Family allowances

Students' parents receive a monthly family allowance (child benefit) of EUR 188 for the first two children (2016: EUR 190), EUR 194 for the third (2016: EUR 196), and EUR 219 for the fourth and more (2016: EUR 221), or a lump sum tax relief of EUR 3 576 per annum, per child, per parent: (2016: EUR 3 624), until students are 25 years old. The tax office checks in favour of the taxpayer whether the child benefit or the deduction of the above mentioned tax relief is more favourable.