The state training aid is to increase by around five percent – i.e. from 427 to 449 euros per month. Far too little, complain those affected.
Student representatives have called for a significantly higher increase in the Bafög rates than planned.
“The fact that the increase in funding rates does not even compensate for inflation shows how few students are taken into account,” said Daryoush Danaii, board member of the umbrella organization of student representatives (fzs) of the German Press Agency.
This Thursday, the Bundestag is debating the government draft for a student loan reform in the first reading. The state training aid for students is to be increased by around five percent from 427 to 449 euros per month for the winter semester, and the rates will also increase for schoolchildren and trainees. The group of possible recipients will also be expanded through an increase in parental allowances.
Student representatives are hoping for a further increase before it is passed in the Bundestag. The FDP-led Ministry of Education must follow suit. “Due to the rising cost of living, many students are once again in a difficult situation,” said Danaii.
FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr described the Bafög reform as an important signal for young people. Despite many challenges, the traffic light put education policy back in focus right at the beginning of the election period, he told the dpa. He pointed out that in addition to the increase in Bafög rates, housing allowances would also be raised, additional income regulations relaxed, parental allowances increased and the age limit for Bafög receipts raised.
Source: Stern
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