Addressing the critical situation with BAföG funding
In a recent statement, Ayşe Asar, spokesperson for research, technology, and aerospace, expressed concern over the current state of education funding in the third-largest economy in the world. Asar criticised the government for mobilising billions for early pensions, while leaving the young generation without adequate funding for education.
Asar argued that education should not depend on parents' wallets, and called for immediate action to address this issue. Specific demands include raising the subsistence allowance to the level of unemployment benefit, not until 2027.
The federal government's plans to further cut BAföG funding, specifically 250 million euros from 2026, have also been met with opposition. Asar described this as a "slap in the face to an entire generation of students."
The responsibility for BAföG in the future is being assigned to the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, BMFTR). Since 2015, this ministry alone finances BAföG without involvement of the states, and its budget for BAföG is around 10 percent of the ministry's total budget.
Asar also highlighted the low number of BAföG recipients as a "bitter signal for educational equity." She called for adjusting the housing cost allowance to local rents and increasing allowances to enable more students to qualify. Asar's vision is for a BAföG that is "existentially secure and needs-based."
The government has announced a "major BAföG reform," but the funding for the promised improvements remains unclear. Asar emphasised the need for a real reform that promotes educational equity, particularly in light of the dramatically decreasing BAföG numbers, which, according to statistics for 2024, are the lowest in 25 years. This decrease serves as a "wake-up call" for the need to address the issue urgently.
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