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Letter from the BAföG-Amt (student finance office): decision and repayment

The BAföG-Amt (student finance office) decides on your support, usually for one year. It can demand support back if it later turns out that you were entitled to less. The later repayment of the state loan after your studies is handled by a different authority, the Bundesverwaltungsamt (Federal Office of Administration). This page explains the letters from the BAföG-Amt.

Typical letters

Widerspruch (objection) or Klage (court action) against the BAföG-Amt?

Disputes about BAföG go to the Verwaltungsgerichte (administrative courts). Whether you first file a Widerspruch (objection) or go to court directly depends on the federal state (§ 68 Abs. 1 VwGO). What counts is the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung (information on legal remedies) at the end of the decision.

The deadline is one month from the date the decision is deemed delivered (§ 70 Abs. 1, § 74 Abs. 1 VwGO). A decision sent by post counts as delivered on the fourth day after it was posted (§ 37 Abs. 2 SGB X, because BAföG is part of the Social Code). If the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung is missing or wrong, the deadline is one year (§ 58 Abs. 2 VwGO).

Write your reply in German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

BAföG-Amt or Bundesverwaltungsamt: who is writing to me?

The BAföG-Amt decides on support during your education and demands back support that was overpaid. After the support ends, the Bundesverwaltungsamt (Federal Office of Administration) manages the state loan and collects the instalments. You can also file a Widerspruch within one month against the Feststellungs- und Rückzahlungsbescheid (decision on the amount of the loan and its repayment) from the Bundesverwaltungsamt.

Where can I get free help?

Many Studierendenwerke (student services organisations) and student representative bodies (AStA) offer free BAföG advice. If you have little money, you can apply for Beratungshilfe (legal advice assistance) at the Amtsgericht (local court). The BAföG-Amt itself must advise you about your rights (§ 14 SGB I).

Common questions

How long do I have to challenge a BAföG decision?

One month from the date it is deemed delivered, for the Widerspruch or, where there is none, for the Klage (§ 70, § 74 VwGO).

For how long is BAföG granted?

Usually for one year (§ 50 Abs. 3 BAföG). After that you need a follow-up application (Folgeantrag).

Who is responsible for repaying the BAföG loan?

The Bundesverwaltungsamt (Federal Office of Administration). After the support ends, it sends a decision on the amount of the loan debt (§ 18 BAföG).

In which language should I write to the BAföG-Amt?

In German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 50 BAföG: Bescheid
  2. § 18 BAföG: Darlehensbedingungen
  3. § 14 SGB I: Beratung
  4. § 68 SGB I: Besondere Teile des Sozialgesetzbuchs
  5. § 58 VwGO: Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung
  6. § 68 VwGO: Vorverfahren
  7. § 70 VwGO: Form und Frist des Widerspruchs
  8. § 74 VwGO: Klagefrist
  9. § 37 SGB X: Bekanntgabe des Verwaltungsaktes
  10. § 1 Beratungshilfegesetz: Voraussetzungen der Beratungshilfe
  11. Bundesverwaltungsamt: BAföG-Darlehen

Research as of: 10 November 2026