Wegweiser Students · Rights & Funding Deutsch

🔄 Dropping out and reorientation

Dropping out of studies is not a legal failure, but it has consequences for BAföG, child benefit and health insurance that you have to sort out actively.

De-registration (Exmatrikulation) Dropping out Qualifying period (Anwartschaftszeit) Transition period

In brief

De-registration (Exmatrikulation) ends student status – and with it, on a certain cut-off date, several special student rules automatically at once: BAföG, student health insurance, usually child benefit too. It is important to sort out the new arrangements yourself actively instead of waiting for automatic follow-on benefits.

Step by step

  1. Clarify de-registration formallyHave the date of de-registration confirmed in writing; it is the cut-off date for all further notifications.
  2. Inform the BAföG officeReport the end of studies without delay; a late notification can lead to amounts already paid being reclaimed.
  3. Re-register health insuranceDepending on age and new situation, family insurance, voluntary insurance or insurance through a new employer may be options.
  4. Inform the FamilienkasseChild benefit generally ends when you drop out, unless a new training follows within four months.
  5. If you intend to work: involve the Agentur für ArbeitIf you want to work, you should register as seeking work early or, if necessary, register as unemployed and use the advice of the Agentur für Arbeit (employment agency).

Deadlines

without delay
Duty to report de-registration to the BAföG officeBAföG duties to cooperate
at most 4 months
Child benefit transition period between abandoned studies and new training without loss of entitlement§ 32 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 1 EStG
3 months beforehand
Early registration as seeking work when the end date is known, relevant if unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I) may follow§ 38 Abs. 1 SGB III
Watch out – common mistakes
  • A BAföG loan from the abandoned studies must in principle still be repaid despite dropping out – dropping out does not extinguish the repayment obligation.
  • If you do not begin a new training within the transition period after dropping out, you lose child benefit and family insurance as soon as it is evident that there is no longer any intention to train.
  • People who drop out without previous employment subject to social insurance contributions usually have no entitlement to unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I) for lack of a qualifying period; basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) is then the more likely benefit.
  • Changing subject is legally not dropping out: up to the 3rd subject semester it is usually recognised without problems under BAföG, after that only with an important reason.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Repayment obligation remains

Dropping out of studies does not change the obligation to repay the loan portion of the BAföG already received (§ 17 Abs. 2, § 18 BAföG); the repayment terms are the same as after regular completion of studies.

Relationship to unemployment benefit I and basic income support

Unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I) requires a qualifying period from previous employment subject to insurance contributions (§§ 142, 147 SGB III); many people who drop out lack this. If income after dropping out is not sufficient for living costs, basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, SGB II) may apply.

Who is responsible
  • BAföG office
  • Familienkasse
  • Health insurance fund
  • Agentur für Arbeit/Jobcenter
  • University student advisory service
Further reading
BAföG objection and repaymentChild benefit during studiesAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Dropping out and reorientation“?
Dropping out of studies is not a legal failure, but it has consequences for BAföG, child benefit and health insurance that you have to sort out actively.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • without delay: Duty to report de-registration to the BAföG office (BAföG duties to cooperate)
  • at most 4 months: Child benefit transition period between abandoned studies and new training without loss of entitlement (§ 32 Abs. 4 Satz 1 Nr. 1 EStG)
  • 3 months beforehand: Early registration as seeking work when the end date is known, relevant if unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I) may follow (§ 38 Abs. 1 SGB III)
What should I do first?
  • Clarify de-registration formally: Have the date of de-registration confirmed in writing; it is the cut-off date for all further notifications.
  • Inform the BAföG office: Report the end of studies without delay; a late notification can lead to amounts already paid being reclaimed.
  • Re-register health insurance: Depending on age and new situation, family insurance, voluntary insurance or insurance through a new employer may be options.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • A BAföG loan from the abandoned studies must in principle still be repaid despite dropping out – dropping out does not extinguish the repayment obligation.
  • If you do not begin a new training within the transition period after dropping out, you lose child benefit and family insurance as soon as it is evident that there is no longer any intention to train.
  • People who drop out without previous employment subject to social insurance contributions usually have no entitlement to unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I) for lack of a qualifying period; basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld) is then the more likely benefit.
Evidence
  • § 17, § 18 BAföG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • § 32 EStG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • § 38, § 142, § 147 SGB III (gesetze-im-internet.de)
As of

As of September 2026. · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.