Financial Aid for Students during COVID, Germany

Many students in Germany are facing Financial strains during this pandemic, mostly with the loss of student jobs. Coming to the rescue is the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) announcing financial support to the students in Germany.

This includes two elements: the KfW student loan and grants that are distributed through the student services that need not be repaid.

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The KfW student loan is an interest free loan until March 31, 2021. Foreign Students can apply for it from June1, 2020. Depending on requirements, the loan can be drawn up to up to EUR 650 per month and can be applied for online without bureaucracy. Further Information and application details are here.

The bridging Aid supports these students who need immediate help with up to € 500 each in June, July and August 2020, as long as the pandemic-related emergency persists. Bridging assistance must be reapplied for in the three months. Students who are enrolled at a state or state-recognized university in Germany and are not on leave are eligible to apply. Foreign Students can also receive the grant and there is no age limit.

Where to Apply
https://www.überbrückungshilfe-studierende.de/

Guidelines (In German): https://www.bmbf.de/files/Richtlinien%20Überbrückungshilfe%20Endfassung.pdf

Documents Needed

  • your university’s enrollment certificate for the 2020 summer semester
  • Your identity card or equivalent proof of identity, for example passport with registration certificate
  • a bank account in Germany; please note that the bridging aid can only be paid to your own account
  • Your evidence that you are in a pandemic emergency; Please note that your bank statement must not contain any redaction, otherwise it will be considered incomplete.

Contact
Telephone: 0800 26 23 003
E-Mail: ueberbrueckungshilfe-studierende@bmbf.bund.de

For longer term support KfW -Studienkredit and the BAföG available.

More questions answered here.

Source: BMBF: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung