DSW: 2024 must not be a year of standstill for BAföG

2024 must not be a year of standstill for BAföG - otherwise this investment in education will be left behind

• From 1 January 2024, more citizen's allowance, higher mini-job cap - but no adjustments to BAföG
• Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW): The BAföG reform promised for the winter semester 2024/2025 must come
• DSW: Higher BAföG rates and structural reform are needed
• DSW Chairman Matthias Anbuhl: "Members' salaries, pensions, citizens' allowance and housing benefit are regularly increased, but BAföG is not. This investment in educational justice is systematically disadvantaged"

Berlin, 1 January 2024: At the beginning of the new year, several increases in state benefits will take effect, while BAföG will stagnate for the time being. Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW) is drawing attention to this - and is calling for an automatic adjustment of BAföG in line with price and income developments.

DSW Chairman of the Board Matthias Anbuhl explains:
"The minimum wage is rising, from 12 euros to 12.41 an hour, as a result the mini-job upper limit is rising from 520 to 538 euros a month, and the citizen's allowance from 502 to 563 euros a month. However, none of this is taken into account in BAföG.

The basic BAföG requirement remains stagnant at 452 euros per month - that is 111 euros less than the citizen's allowance. However, students are not second-class citizens; they do not eat, drink or heat less than other people who have to receive state benefits.

The BAföG basic requirement is chronically too low. With the current flat-rate housing allowance of 360 euros per month, you can hardly afford a room in a shared flat in any German university city.

What's more, the price of CO2 will continue to rise in 2024 according to the goverment plans. Electricity, refueling and heating will become more expensive. And, of course, companies will also pass on their additional costs to consumers. Costs will rise, including for students.

We finally need an automatic system for BAföG. It must be regularly and continuously adjusted in line with price and income trends. Otherwise it will not cover living and educational needs.

Members' salaries, pensions, citizens' allowance and housing benefit are regularly increased, but BAföG is not. This investment in educational justice is systematically disadvantaged."