Thuringia’s BAföG crisis leaves students stranded for months without aid

Waiting over a year for aid, students demand action. Will Germany’s promised 2026 reforms come too late for those drowning in debt now?

, and Administrator

2025 November 7 . 11:03 PM

1 min read

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Teachers' Association: Secure Students Financially - Thuringia’s BAföG crisis leaves students stranded for months without aid

Students in Thuringia are grappling with financial difficulties due to significant delays in BAföG payments. Average wait times have surpassed six months, with some students waiting over a year. A petition demanding swift action to resolve the crisis has been circulating among students.

The BAföG crisis is not unique to Thuringia. Across Germany, students face similar challenges with the student financial aid system. While reforms are expected in the 2026/27 academic year, details remain scarce. The Thuringian Teachers’ Association has called for an emergency BAföG mechanism to bridge immediate payment gaps.

Steffen Teichert, State Secretary for Science, had previously promised improvements in BAföG processing by mid-2026. However, students continue to struggle with lengthy wait times and financial uncertainty. The association is pushing for less bureaucracy, including legally binding processing deadlines and fully digital communication.

The BAföG crisis persists, with students in Thuringia and across Germany awaiting reforms. The Thuringian Teachers’ Association is advocating for urgent financial safeguards and streamlined processes to support students during this challenging period.