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BAföG crisis in Baden-Württemberg: Students fight against long waiting times!
Students in Tübingen struggle with long waiting times for BAföG, financial bottlenecks and a lack of support.
BAföG crisis in Baden-Württemberg: Students fight against long waiting times!
In Baden-Württemberg, the issue of BAföG is currently a hot topic that affects numerous students. As SWR reports, there are repeated reports of long waiting times when processing BAföG applications, which vary at different student unions. With an average of 24 weeks in Mannheim and 21 weeks in Tübingen-Hohenheim, a large number of students suffer from the delay in their financial support, which was essential for over 54,600 students in 2024.
The impact on the lives of many of those affected is dramatic. Malik's situation is an example of this: He has been waiting for his BAföG decision since October 2023 and has now used up his savings. His academic future is in jeopardy as he faces the possibility of dropping out. Valeria, who has been waiting for an answer since autumn 2024, has already filed a lawsuit for failure to act to enforce her claims. The increase in such complaints is evidence of the growing existential fears that plague students, as the SWP describes in detail.
Financial worries are increasing
How the situation is getting worse is shown by the fact that over 12,000 BAföG applications were submitted in 2024 and the processing times cannot be recorded due to a lack of staff and high numbers of applications. Currently only 36.56 employees are responsible for processing at the Tübingen-Hohenheim Student Union. The dissatisfaction does not go away; Complaints about poor accessibility and a lack of transparency have increased. The student union is planning measures to improve things, but students primarily want their applications to be processed faster and fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
But the long wait has broader implications than just financial hardship. The combination of insufficient BAföG and high living costs puts many students under pressure, which further fuels fears of poverty and debt. Statistics show a clear increase in stress symptoms among students who rely on quick support.
Recommendations for submitting an application
It remains to be seen whether and how the responsible authorities will respond to the growing complaints. In the meantime, many students have no choice but to be patient and hopefully find solutions soon. Even if the developments in the area of BAföG make nerves and professional support necessary for many, it could be worth submitting your own application in good time and having all the necessary documents with you.