The BAföG Office processed a total of 11,288 BAföG applications in 2025. The number of new applications for domestic BAföG funding declined by 5.9% to 7,670 (2024: 8,152 applications). At the same time, the total amount of funding disbursed increased significantly to €44.964 million (2024: €40.309 million), indicating a rise in the average level of support per recipient.
In the area of international BAföG funding, the upward trend in application numbers continued: 3,618 applications were processed in 2025 (2024: 3,382 applications). The total amount of funding disbursed increased to €15.717 million (2024: €12.835 million). The majority of this funding was allocated to study periods in Asia (€13.643 million), while a further €2.074 million was provided for study periods in Turkey.
To optimize processing times, the BAföG Office launched a comprehensive reorganization process in 2025.
A key focus was the expansion of personal advisory services, offered on-site, online, and by telephone. This enables questions relating to applications to be clarified at an early stage and helps reduce delays caused by incomplete or incorrect applications.
The use of procedural simplifications introduced by the State of Baden-Württemberg, together with additional internal restructuring measures, also contributed to the success of the initiative. In the first year of the reorganization alone, the backlog of applications was reduced by 38.7% to 4,063 applications.
Head of the BAföG Office
“We are very pleased that the new online appointment booking system was so well received, with around 600 appointments scheduled in the past year. It enables students to discuss their concerns quickly and easily with the responsible case officer. In 2026, we will continue the reorganization process and further improve our accessibility.”
As part of the one-time Study Start Grant programme, the German federal government provided first-year students from low-income households with €1,000 each in 2025. Within the area served by Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim, 140 students received support, amounting to a total of €140,000.
In addition, the Studierendenwerk granted 30 short-term, interest-free loans with a total volume of €12,000, providing fast and uncomplicated assistance to students facing acute financial hardship.
