BAföG (German student and vocational training funding) supports school-based vocational training only at certain types of school and subject to personal and financial requirements. The responsible office checks, among other things, income and assets and, where applicable, the income of parents or a spouse. Dual in-company training is generally not funded through BAföG; vocational training allowance may be available instead. Submit the application before training starts if possible, because BAföG is not paid retroactively for earlier months. Missing documents can usually be submitted later, but this may extend processing time. Check which office is responsible and its current list of required documents for your training location and type of school.
Applying for Support Before Vocational Training in Germany
For school-based vocational training, BAföG may help if the type of school and personal and financial requirements are met. The application goes to the responsible training assistance office; support starts no earlier than the application month.
Tip
First check whether your specific type of school is eligible for BAföG; this determines whether applying will save time or lead nowhere. Submit the application no later than the month for which you want funding, because applying later means losing retroactive support.