13. Type of Funding and terms of repayment

Within the standard period of study (maximum funding period), you will receive half of the funding as a repayment-free grant and half as a non-interest-bearing loan. 

After that, further funding is possible if there are reasons for exceeding the maximum period of study (see section "Performance Requirements and Evidence").

The non-interest-bearing loan is due 5 years after the end of the standard period of study (number of semesters stipulated by the study and examination regulations). Repayment is to be made in installments of at least 130 euros per month. After paying 77 installments (10,010 euros), you are usually debt-free. This rule does not apply to the full loan funding type. If you cannot pay the regular installment of 130 euros for economic reasons, the installment can be reduced or suspended upon request. The loan can be repaid early in full or in part. In return, larger amounts of remission are granted. The forgiveness rate increases with the amount of the loan debt.

For example, if you owe 6,000 euros, 14.5 percent of the loan debt is forgiven if you pay in one lump sum, meaning you only have to repay 5,130 euros.

A central office in Cologne is responsible for loan collection. The Federal Office of Administration, BT-BAföG, 50728 Cologne, Tel. (0221) 758-4500. This office sends out the loan notices approximately four and a half years after the end of the standard period of study.

Once you have received this notice, please remember to submit your possible application for remission within one month (cut-off period!). Please make sure that you inform the Federal Office of Administration of your current address after you have finished your studies. This can also be done online here (online form "Stammdatenänderung" at the BAföG online portal of the Federal Office of Administration).

If you fail to do so, you will be charged the costs of address determination, currently 25 euros.