Financing your studies or education is often a challenge. Student support (BAföG) helps, but the funding is often not enough to cover all costs. Many students therefore look for additional income. But how does the income affect the BAföG application? Here you can find out everything you need to know about supplementary income options, calculations and the effects on your maximum BAföG rate.
Note: Here we only take the income of the BAföG recipient into account. In addition, income of the parents or the spouse may also be relevant.
Supplementary income: What is allowed?
BAföG recipients are allowed to work part-time, but there are limits. If your salary exceeds the specified allowance, the income is offset against the maximum BAföG rate, which reduces the funding.
The allowance for additional income is €556 per month (from winter semester 2024). This corresponds to an annual allowance of € 6,680. This amount is made up of:
Exempt amount: € 353 per month remains free of deductions. This amount increases by €770 per child and by an additional €850 for married couples.
Income-related expenses allowance: This amounts to €1,230 per year and covers expenses incurred in connection with your job, such as work clothes or specialist literature.
Social security contributions: These include contributions to pension, unemployment and health insurance. They are estimated at a flat rate of 22.3% of gross income.
Note: These items are based on the current mini-job limit of €556 (formerly €538), so that students can easily have a mini-job that is not subject to deductions.
Example calculation for additional income for BAföG
Let's assume you earn €556 per month in your side job and your salary is therefore within the scope of a mini-job. You deduct € 102.50 from this as a lump sum for income-related expenses and € 101.13 (22.3 %) in social security contributions. This results in an allowable income of € 352.37. If you exceed the annual allowance of €6,680, the excess amount will be deducted from your BAföG.
If you work alongside your studies, you must declare your salary (gross income) for the entire approval period (usually 12 months). It is important that you do not exceed the income limit, otherwise your BAföG will be reduced.
Our BAföG calculator from LeistungsLotse will help you determine your requirements. Check now!
Maximising income despite BAföG
A common wish of students is to maximise their income through part-time jobs without having their BAföG reduced. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your earnings:
Mini-jobs and tax-free income: Use mini-jobs where you do not pay social security contributions up to the earnings limit of €556 per month.
Supplements: Make sure you take tax-free supplements for night work or weekend work, which are not counted towards BAföG.
Use income-related expenses cleverly: Deduct as many income-related expenses as possible to reduce your taxable income and thus keep the amount eligible for BAföG low. The lump sum of €1230 is generally taken into account by the authorities anyway. You generally have to prove higher income-related expenses.
Income during the semester break
Many students use the semester break to work more intensively and earn more. The good news is that you can work more during the semester break. You can work full-time for up to 70 days (or three months) at a time without having to pay pension or social security contributions.
However, the usual allowance of €6,680 applies to your income, which you may not exceed annually without fear of deductions.
Flexible income distribution: It can therefore help to distribute your income skilfully over the approval period in order not to exceed the income limit.
BAföG and scholarships: How do they affect each other?
Are you combining BAföG with a scholarship to improve your financial situation? It is important to know how scholarships count towards BAföG.
Scholarships and BAföG allowances: Scholarships that are considered to be educational grants can remain exempt as long as they do not exceed the BAföG allowance. Therefore, find out exactly which types of scholarships are exempt.
Types of scholarships: Deutschlandstipendium scholarships or specific university funding programmes are usually not BAföG-damaging, while private scholarships are often fully counted towards your BAföG.
Compulsory internship vs. voluntary internship
Whether you receive BAföG during your internship depends on whether it is a compulsory internship or a voluntary internship.
Compulsory internship: A compulsory internship is prescribed in your study regulations and must be completed in order to continue or complete your studies. During a compulsory internship, you are entitled to BAföG as long as the other requirements are met. Remuneration is possible here, but not mandatory.
Voluntary internship : A voluntary internship is not necessary for your degree, but serves to gain practical experience. If you do a voluntary internship, you are generally not entitled to BAföG, unless the internship takes place during the semester break and does not interfere with your studies.
Influence of internship remuneration on BAföG
In the case of a compulsory internship, remuneration is fully offset against your maximum BAföG rate - there are no allowances. For voluntary internships, however, the same allowances apply as for a normal part-time job. It is therefore worth calculating in advance exactly how much you can earn without jeopardising your funding.
BAföG for internships: important information
Compulsory internship: You are entitled to BAföG as long as the internship is prescribed in the study regulations. Any remuneration is fully offset against BAföG.
Internship abroad: A compulsory internship abroad is also subsidised by BAföG as long as it is part of your studies.
Voluntary internship: BAföG is only paid in exceptional cases, e.g. for an internship during the semester break.
Tip: Even if you do not receive BAföG during your internship, you may be entitled to the minimum wage if the internship lasts longer than three months.
Conclusion
A part-time income is often essential for students to make ends meet. However, it is crucial to know the income limits and to complete the BAföG application correctly. With our online BAföG calculator, you can quickly find out how your income affects your funding.
With our BAföG calculator from LeistungsLotse, you can quickly and easily check whether and how much BAföG you are entitled to. Check now!