Decrease in Number of BAföG Aid Recipients Experiences First Yearly Drop in Some Time - Decrease in Bafög Recipients after Several Years
In the heart of Germany, the state of Thuringia has seen a significant change in the number of BAföG recipients. Last year, around 23,500 people received BAföG support, marking a 7.2% decrease compared to the previous year, and for the first time in years, the number of BAföG recipients has decreased [1].
This decline might be attributed to delays and difficulties in BAföG application processing, as reported by the Studierendenwerk Thüringen, the organisation responsible for handling BAföG applications in the region [3]. If applications are processed slowly or denied more frequently, this could contribute to a decrease in BAföG recipients among students in Thuringia.
In the city of Erfurt, student services continue to be provided by the Studierendenwerk. The organisation offers various services such as accommodation assistance through private rental listings and manages dormitory places and mensa meals for students [1][3]. However, the impact of the decline in BAföG recipients on student services in Erfurt is not explicitly detailed in the available information.
One of the significant contributors to the student population in Thuringia is the IU Internationale Hochschule. The university moved its headquarters to Thuringia in 2019, which may have contributed to the low point in BAföG recipients in that year [2]. Despite the decrease in BAföG applications, the number of students in Thuringia continued to increase, with the growth of the IU Internationale Hochschule being a primary reason for this growth [2].
It's worth noting that the majority of the increased student population in Thuringia may still be eligible for BaföG support. The majority of BaföG recipients are students, with one in five BaföG recipients in Thuringia still being a high school student [3].
Criticism and student protests about long processing times for BaföG applications in Thuringia have been ongoing for some time [3]. The Student Services Thüringen has described the waiting times for BaföG applications as "unbearable". Despite these challenges, since 2019, BaföG application numbers in Thuringia have doubled, according to Student Services [3].
Further detailed local studies or official statements would be needed to precisely explain the decline in BAföG recipients and its impact on student services in Erfurt, as well as to understand the reasons for the decrease in BAföG recipients in the most recent year.
In the effort to mitigate the impact of declining BAföG recipients, the community policy in Thuringia could consider implementing alternatives for education-and-self-development, such as providing additional funds for vocational training for students who are not eligible for BAföG support. To ensure equal opportunities, the state could also establish a network of partnerships with organizations offering vocational training programs in Erfurt. Expanding education avenues through vocational training could help bridge the gap created by the decrease in BAföG recipients, fostering a more vibrant and skilled student population in Thuringia.
