Social benefits during studies

Under certain conditions, students are entitled to social benefits such as citizen's allowance, housing benefit or (albeit rarely) unemployment benefit. However, these benefits tend to affect a minority of students. Child benefit, however, is more widely available. But that's not the end of the list. We have summarised the most important information for you here. If you have any further questions or problems, please contact our advice centre.

Frequently asked questions about social benefits during your studies

Citizen's income ("Bürgergeld") for students, is that possible?

This is possible in certain exceptions: e.g. for students who live together with their parents who receive citizen's allowance(deepening with example) or for student parents for their children(example: single students). In addition, during a leave of absence from studies(What does leave of absence mean?) or during part-time studies(What does part-time studies mean?), you may be eligible for a loan. As a loan in cases of particular hardship, it can be paid towards graduation, although this is not easy to justify(in-depth study as PDF).

Sometimes only partial benefits are granted for special purposes during regular studies, for example additional needs due to pregnancy or single parenthood.

It is important here that the general rules, such as those on income and assets or job placement, should be clarified during counselling.

Continue to the systematic information...

I live with my parents, who receive citizen's allowance. What happens when I start studying?

You are less likely to receive BAföG if you live with your parents because the rent is very low. The job centre will continue to keep you in your parents' household - however, your BAföG will be counted as income in the citizen's allowance. You should read up on exactly how this works:

Further information..

It is important that the BAföG entitlement is not rejected in principle, for example because of a change of subject, because then the job centre will no longer want to pay.

Are all students excluded from housing benefit ("Wohngeld")?

No. There are three ways to apply:

  • Either you are not entitled to BAföG for fundamental, i.e. not purely mathematical reasons, or
  • you only receive BAföG as a full loan payment or
  • there are people in your household (not shared flats!) who are not entitled to BAföG (e.g. your own children, other relatives or partners).

Continue to the systematic info!

What happens to my child benefit if I take a leave of absence from my studies?

(To clarify: this refers to child benefit paid to parents of students, not to student parents)

Because in most cases no education is being pursued, child benefit is at risk. However, reasons such as illness or maternity protection periods are recognised. In addition, an internship or studies abroad can also fulfil the training status. Very intensive and systematic exam preparation can also be beneficial.

Systematic deepening on leave of absence

Overview article Child benefit and studying in general

Who processes the "school certificate" for orphans' pensions?

This is always done by the enrolment offices of the respective universities or colleges, not the Studierendenwerk:

Enrolment Office // University of Oldenburg (uol.de)

Enrolment Office - Jade University of Applied Sciences (jade-hs.de)

Enrolment and Examination Office - Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences (hs-emden-leer.de)

 

further information on the orphan's pension ..

When can students receive unemployment benefit?

Roughly speaking, whenever your studies are not too much in the foreground, most easily during a leave of absence from your studies (link to general leave of absence) or during an officially requested part-time study programme of up to 50% (link to general part-time study programme). It would also be conceivable in a phase after all examinations have been taken, but if the thesis has not yet been registered, which may first have to be wrested from the labour office.

Further systematic information...

For student parents

Can students receive maternity benefit?

Maternity benefit essentially depends on an employment relationship being interrupted by the maternity protection period. Women with statutory health insurance have the better cards here. All others only receive a consolation prize from the Federal Insurance Office.

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Do students have to take a leave of absence from their studies if they want to receive parental allowance?

No, the relationship to your studies is not relevant. As a rule, you only need to apply to your employer for parental leave.

Continue to the systematic information..

Is supplementary child allowance also available for student parents?

Yes, that works. But the calculation is pretty "overkill". Maybe you could visit our social counsellor?

Continue to the systematic info..

How do advance maintenance payments and upstream child maintenance work?

Well, maintenance advance is a kind of compensation for missing maintenance payments by the parent who is not the main carer of the child. This applies to child maintenance up to the child's 18th birthday, but not to maintenance for the carer. As a rule, the person who owes maintenance is unable to pay, which entails its own problems that should be considered in more detail. The benefit is paid by the local youth welfare office.

Continue to the systematic information...

Existing social benefits and their significance for students

Child benefit

As a rule, your parents receive child benefit when you are studying until you reach the age of 25 in order to pass this on to you as maintenance. If you have children yourself or have children during your studies, you are also entitled to child benefit.

 

 

Read details about child benefit

Housing benefit

As a student, you are only eligible for housing benefit if you can answer one of the three questions with "yes". If this is the case, it is worth checking whether you are entitled to housing benefit.

  1. You don't receive BAföG?
  2. Your BAföG was only granted as a full loan?
  3. Do you also have people living in your household who are not in education?

 

View details and check requirements

Citizen's income

As a rule, students are not entitled to citizen's allowance. Certain payments can be made, for example, in cases of hardship, when interrupting studies or for student parents.

 

 

View detailed information

Unemployment benefit

If you paid into unemployment insurance before or during your studies or stopped receiving benefits when you started your studies, then unemployment benefit could be relevant for you. However, your studies must not take centre stage, e.g. during a leave of absence from your studies or during an officially requested part-time course of study.

View details and check requirements