Distance Learning

Distance Learning & BAFÖG

Getting a degree online opens up new opportunities and prospects for your career. Even if the costs for an online study programme seem high at first: There’s a variety of financing options you can choose from in order to achieve your professional goals. BAföG (meaning the funding students are entitled to by the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz or federal education support act) is probably the best-known way to finance your studies. Here you will learn whether and under what conditions you can receive BAFÖG for your online studies. 

Discover the study programmes at IU International University of Applied Sciences today:

From accommodation to teaching materials: studying involves many costs for students. Many cannot cover these costs alone. The state funding BAföG is there to help them. With BAföG, students receive monthly payments of which they only have to repay half. In addition, repayment only begins five years after the end of their studies. BAFÖG is therefore a safe and attractive way to finance your studies. 

There are clear legal regulations for BAföG funding. They stipulate that it is possible to receive BAföG for an online study programme – if it fulfils certain requirements:

• State-approval: Your online studies are eligible for BAföG if the final degree is equivalent to an in-person programme. Therefore, it is best to choose an online university that offers accredited bachelor’s or master's programmes. Suitable courses can be found at the IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU). 

• Studying Full-time: BAföG is intended to help you concentrate fully on your studies. That's why you only receive BAFÖG for full-time online study programmes. If you invest between 37 and 40 hours a week in your studies, you can receive BAföG funding. 

• Study duration: In your first full-time course, you are eligible for funding for online studies just as you would be for in-person studies. The entire standard study duration can be funded. Important: A second bachelor's degree is not eligible for funding. A first bachelor’s/master's degree, however, is. 

• Your age: If you want to do a bachelor’s or master's programme at an online university, you can receive BAföG up to the age of 45. The age at the start of your online studies is decisive. 

If you meet the requirements, nothing stands in the way of your BAföG funding! Every month, you can receive up to €992. The exact amount depends on your assets and your income. This is why the amount of your repayment is very individual. 

Please note: You can only apply for BAföG if you hold full enrolled student status — not as an Auditor (Gasthörer:in) at IU.