College or vocational training? For many students, that is the central question after graduating from high school (the German Abitur). Before it comes to that, there are a variety of counseling services that deal with this important topic. Once you've decided you want to go to college, new questions usually come up for the future student. Among them, the question of how to finance your studies. Most students work on the side. Beyond that, though, there are also various other financial support and funding models.
Here is a short summary:

Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG)
The best-known financial support is probably the Federal Training Assistance Act, or simply "BAföG" (German state student aid). Besides students, some school pupils can also apply for it.

Whether your application is approved depends, among other things, on these factors:

  • your living situation
  • your parents' income
  • a possible part-time job
  • your assets

BAföG is granted monthly, half as an interest-free loan and half as a grant. The loan has to be repaid at a later date. The office responsible for the application is the Office for Educational Funding at the university's student services organization (Studentenwerk). You can find more information at www.bafög.de.

Applying for a scholarship - paying for college through the employment agency

Another funding option is taking up a scholarship. Students with good or very good grades can apply for such a place. But people who are politically, socially or religiously engaged also have a real chance. Scholarships are awarded by various bodies:

  • universities
  • funding organizations
  • foundations

But what do you actually get with a scholarship? That often differs. Mostly, though, it is support in the form of funds that don't have to be repaid. It also happens that certain expenses such as books, teaching materials or travel costs are covered.
Sometimes coaching or counseling services are also funded if needed. That is especially the case when problems come up during your studies, for example with the course material.

In addition, various banks grant loans. These are divided into study loans and education loans.

What is an education loan for?
It can be granted during the final phase of your studies. Also when completing internships, so-called postgraduate programs or a doctorate. The KfW banking group is responsible, and the loan is granted regardless of age for a maximum of 24 months.
As a general rule for all loans: they have to be repaid with interest after your studies.

Paying for college through the employment agency

Financing distance learning through the Federal Employment Agency - paying for college through the employment agency

This option does exist, in the form of an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). However, advisers rarely issue one. There are, though, a number of other funding options.

For example, with the WeGebAU funding program, the employment agencies have an offer for low-skilled and older workers. The offer is aimed at employees who want to improve their professional qualifications or make up a missing vocational qualification. The requirement is employment at a company with fewer than 250 employees. For workers over 45, the employment agencies cover 75 % of the amount. The employer covers the rest. Younger workers receive the funding only if the employer covers 50 % of the costs.

Other alternative funding options at a glance:

  • Meister-BAföG (funding for advanced vocational training)
  • federal education premium (Bildungsprämie)
  • educational leave
  • funding by your employer
  • Bundeswehr vocational support service