First things first
Apply no later than the month your studies begin — even incomplete! An informal application ("I hereby apply for education funding") protects the deadline; documents can follow. Responsible is the funding office at your university’s student services — for HfWU Nürtingen that is Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim.
Step by step
- 1Start online: at bafoeg-digital.de (BundID required) — or classically on paper at the student services office.
- 2Fill in Form 1 (your details, studies, housing) + Annex 1 (CV) — as an A23 tenant you declare the all-in rent as housing costs.
- 3Have your parents fill in Form 3 (income from the year before last — 2024 for a 2026 application) — one form per parent.
- 4Attach evidence: enrolment certificate, rental contract, bank statements/asset details, health-insurance proof.
- 5Send and keep the confirmation. Processing often takes 6–10 weeks; if delayed, you can request an advance payment.
- 6Renewal application about 2 months before your funding period ends — BAföG always runs for 12 months only.
Common mistakes
- ✓Applying after the semester starts — the missed month is gone for good.
- ✓Forgetting the renewal — a payment gap of several weeks.
- ✓Misstating assets — the office cross-checks data; declare honestly, the allowance is generous (€15,000).
- ✓Using current parental income instead of the year before last — if income dropped sharply: file an update request (Form 7).
As of September 2026, without guarantee. Official information: bafög.de and bafoeg-digital.de.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply before enrolling?
Yes — you can apply before your studies begin and submit the enrolment certificate later. Recommendation: apply in August/September for a winter semester.
How long does processing take?
Depending on the office 6–10 weeks, longer around the winter semester. If your application is complete and you wait more than 10 weeks, you can demand an advance payment.
What is BAföG Digital?
The official online portal (bafoeg-digital.de): application, follow-ups and in many states the decision itself run fully digitally. You need a BundID.
Which housing costs do I declare at A23?
The all-in rent of your room (e.g. €495) — it is stated as one amount in the contract. There is no separate utility bill, which simplifies the application.