In view of the high inflation rate, the German student union is calling for a new increase in the Bafög rates. “The federal government must increase student loans again as soon as possible,” said General Secretary Matthias Anbuhl of the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”. “Otherwise, many students are at risk of serious financial difficulties in 2023.”
The Bafög has long been too tight, said Anbuhl. The 5.75 percent increase this year was completely eaten up by inflation. “Students who are dependent on student loans are slipping deeper and deeper into the lousy situation.”
Anbuhl complained that Bafög recipients were worse off than others who received state support. He referred to the citizen’s income, which replaced Hartz IV on January 1, 2023. Citizens’ income should reflect the subsistence level. “The standard rate here is 502 euros from January,” said Anbuhl. “The basic requirement for Bafög is only 452 euros – that is 50 euros below what the state considers absolutely necessary to live on for others.”
