Under certain conditions, international students have the opportunity to apply for BAföG. This also applies to those who do not have German citizenship. Eligibility depends on several criteria, including the residence permit, the length of stay in Germany and the employment status of the students or their parents.

Who can apply for BAföG?

• Settlement permit or residence permit for permanent residence in the EU: Students with these permits are usually eligible for BAföG.
• Residence permit for family reasons: Eligibility may be possible under certain conditions.
• Residence permit according to § 16b AufenthG (for the purpose of studying): An individual assessment is necessary, as there is usually no direct entitlement in this case.
• Residence permit according to § 25 (2) AufenthG (for persons entitled to asylum/subsidiary protection): An individual assessment is also required in this case.
• Parents working in Germany: If the parents have worked in Germany for at least three years, this improves the chances of receiving BAföG.

• Own gainful employment in Germany: At least five years of gainful employment in Germany can also lead to entitlement.

   

Where to find information and apply?

The Studierendenwerk Thüringen (Thuringia Student Services) is the point of contact for BAföG applications and is located at Marienstraße 15a, 99423 Weimar. The office can be reached by telephone on 03643 / 581560 and 03643 / 581562. Further information can be found on the website of the Studierendenwerk.

Important to know:

It is advisable to familiarise yourself with the requirements and the application process at an early stage, as processing can take some time. For international students who are not eligible for BAföG, alternative funding options such as scholarships or student loans may be available. The Bauhaus University Weimar also provides advice on financing options for studying abroad, including BAföG for studying abroad and PROMOS scholarships. The Studierendenwerk Thüringen also offers an online portal at www.bafoeg-digital.de for electronic applications.

This information serves as a starting point for international students looking for financing options for their studies in Weimar.

To supplement your income, you can work alongside your studies. The HfM Weimar offers student assistant positions in various departments and institutions. Keep an eye on the job advertisements at the university or visit the job exchange of the Studierendenwerk Thüringen.

Important to know: There are legal requirements regarding working hours (maximum 20 hours per week) and income limits (tax allowance of €8,354 per year), which may affect social benefits such as BAföG or child benefit.
 

Freelancers, work contracts, freelance or self-employed activities

Sometimes students are also offered freelance work. In this case, the employer or client will usually ask you to submit an invoice or a contract for work will be agreed upon.

However, you must report your self-employed activity and the income you earn from it to the tax office and submit an income tax return.

Please note: International students who are not from the EU or the EEA may only engage in self-employed activities with the permission of the immigration authorities! Permission should not be a problem, especially if this activity is not additional to but an alternative to employment, particularly if this is common practice in the field of study. Some residence permits already include permission to work on a self-employed basis and do not require a separate application.

The HfM Weimar offers various scholarships for students and doctoral candidates. You can find a comprehensive list on our scholarship page. This page lists both internal university funding programmes and scholarships from external foundations and organisations for the promotion of gifted students.

Scholarships are a great way to support your studies financially. There are suitable funding opportunities for many profiles and circumstances, so it is definitely worth applying.