Government Funding for Students: Insights on Eligibility, Amounts, and Application Processes
Family Allowance in Austria, known as Familienbeihilfe, provides a monthly tax-free payment to support families with children, including students up to the age of 24 if they are still enrolled in education [1]. This allowance is intended to help cover the costs of raising children and can also be used to support students.
Eligibility and Amounts
The amount of family allowance depends on the child's age and the number of siblings. For children under 3 years old, the allowance is €138.40 per month. For children aged 3 to 10, it is €148.00 per month. For children aged 10 to 18, the allowance is €171.80 per month. For orphans and children aged 19 to 24 (or 25 if handicapped) who are in school, the allowance is €200.40 per month [1]. Additional increments are provided for families with multiple children, ranging from about €8.60 to €63.10 per month depending on the number of children [1].
Income Limits
While there are no explicit income limits related to receiving family allowance in Austria, it is important to note that the allowance is not granted if there is a claim to foreign child benefits [1]. Other countries, such as Portugal, apply household income tests for student family allowances, but this is not directly referenced for Austria in the provided data [2].
Repayment Conditions
If a student earns more than €17,212 per year, they will have to repay the amount by which they exceeded the income limit [1]. Other conditions for repayment include exceeding the age limit, having the university enrollment terminated, showing insufficient academic activity, or exceeding the income limit [1].
Key Considerations
To secure family allowance, it's important to make sure you earn enough ECTS, avoid switching your studies too often, and watch your income limit. It's also essential to provide proof of academic progress after the first year of study [1].
Family allowance is typically granted until the student's 24th birthday, but it can be extended until the 25th birthday in certain cases [1]. Under certain conditions, students can apply for family allowance themselves [1].
There are restrictions on family allowance during mandatory military or civilian service and an income limit that must not be exceeded [1]. If a student receives family allowance intentionally or through gross negligence, they may face a fine of up to €360, or in the worst case, even a prison sentence of up to two weeks [1].
The Arbeiterkammer offers a family allowance calculator to determine exactly how much a student is entitled to [3]. The most important rules for family allowance can be found on the tax office's website, and it's always better to check with the tax office one more time if in doubt [3].
[1] Source 1
[2] Source 2
[3] Source 3
Personal-finance management is crucial for students in Austria, as the Family Allowance, or Familienbeihilfe, can greatly help cover educational and living expenses. Learning about eligibility, allowance amounts, income limits, repayment conditions, and key considerations are important steps for students in their education-and-self-development journey.
