Information on the Educational Loan Program is available from the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne.
The Bremen Student Services Organization offers temporary assistance in the form of interest-free loans to students facing financial hardship through no fault of their own. There is no legal entitlement to these loans. Loans are granted based on available funds. Applications are processed by the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung.
The informal application must include the following information about the applicant:
1. Last name
2. Date of birth
3. Address
4. Educational institution (college, university)
5. Signature! To ensure prompt processing, please mail your application to:
Bremen Student Services
- Office for Student Financial Aid -
Bibliothekstraße 7
28359 Bremen
Students at the following universities are eligible to apply:
- University of Bremen
- Bremen University of Applied Sciences
- Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences
- University of the Arts
- University of Public Administration
- Constructor University Bremen
- Apollon University of Health Economics, GmbH, Bremen
You must submit an informal application and send us the documents provided here, completed and signed. Each application also serves as an application for BAföG, provided that no BAföG application has been submitted yet. In addition , the following documents must be submitted, provided they have not already been submitted for a current application for BAföG benefits. If an application for BAföG benefits has already been submitted, only the missing or outdated documents need to be resubmitted. In general, an informal application is sufficient to receive funds from the loan fund.
1. A detailed written explanation of the financial hardship
2. Supporting documents and evidence regarding the reason for the application, in particular a description of how your education has been financed to date. If the financial hardship is due to a sudden loss of income, proof of income for the last three months must be provided through appropriate documentation (e.g., pay stubs, employment contracts, bank statements). (e.g., pay stubs, employment contracts, bank statements) must be provided.
3. Statement of Financial Situation
4. Current Certificate of Enrollment
5. Copy of ID Card/Passport
6. SEPA Direct Debit Authorization
7. Designation of an Address Guarantor
In principle, financial compensation is intended to address a financial emergency that has arisen through no fault of the applicant. The amount of the loan is determined based on the extent of the financial hardship demonstrated, but may not exceed €550.00 per month. It is granted for a maximum period of 3 months and, in exceptional circumstances that must be justified in writing, may be provided as a one-time payment.
The loan is granted solely for the borrower’s living expenses and for study-related expenses (including educational materials, field trip costs, and internship expenses). The loans may not be used to repay existing debts, to support third parties, or to cover other expenses.
Repayment must begin no later than 24 months after the last loan installment is disbursed. Monthly principal payments must be at least €50.00. In some cases, repayment is also made by offsetting the amount against BAföG payments.
Yes, international students can also apply for the loan if they meet the requirements.
Eligible applicants may receive a scholarship provided they are in the final phase of their first degree program.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has published the so-called DAC (Development Assistance Committee) list of countries, which defines developing countries.
During the application periods from March 1 through August 31 and from September 1 through February 28 or 29 of each calendar year, funds are generally available for awarding scholarships to students in need from developing countries.
A scholarship may be awarded under the following conditions:
Applications must generally be submitted on two specific days in January (award period: March 1 through August 31) and on two specific days in July (award period: September 1 through February 28 or 29) . The exact dates will be announced separately. Please refer to the relevant announcements on our website.
In the following cases, financial aid is available only as an interest-free loan:
In some cases involving another course of study under Section 7(3) of the BAföG following a second change of field of study or a second discontinuation of studies for good cause: The semesters spent in the abandoned field of study are deducted from the maximum funding period for the new field of study. For funding beyond the remaining funding period, the student is only eligible for the interest-free loan. Example: Switch after two semesters of law—state examination (maximum funding period: 9 semesters)—to computer science—bachelor’s degree (maximum funding period: 6 semesters) for good cause. Maximum funding period for computer science minus two semesters of law = funding for the 1st through 4th semesters of computer science with a grant / government loan (interest-free), and the 5th and 6th semesters of computer science with a government loan (interest-free).
For assistance with completing the degree (for a maximum of 12 months).
Even in cases involving an interest-free loan, a written application for financial aid must be submitted to the BAföG office. As before, the office will decide on the application and notify the applicant of the loan amount in a written decision.
The Student Services Office in Bremen offers counseling on financing a college education (other than BAföG) as well as other financial aid options for students.