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🧾 Housing benefit for students

Housing benefit is excluded for most students as long as BAföG would be possible in principle – but there are important exceptions.

Housing benefit (Wohngeld) In principle (dem Grunde nach) Exclusion from housing benefit § 20 WoGG

In brief

Students who are entitled to BAföG in principle or would be entitled on application are in general excluded from housing benefit – regardless of whether BAföG is actually paid (§ 20 Abs. 2 Satz 1 Nr. 1 WoGG). "In principle" (dem Grunde nach) is not the same as "in amount" (der Höhe nach): even someone who receives not a single euro of BAföG because of parental income is usually still excluded from housing benefit. Exceptions apply, among other things, if BAföG is granted only as a full loan, the maximum funding period has been exceeded without continued funding, or the course of study itself is not eligible for funding.

Step by step

  1. Check BAföG eligibility in principleWhat matters is whether a BAföG entitlement could exist at all – not whether it is actually paid.
  2. Identify an exceptionCheck whether one of the recognised exceptions applies, such as a BAföG full-loan notice of decision or a course of study that is not eligible for funding.
  3. Apply at the WohngeldstelleThe local Wohngeldstelle (housing benefit office) is responsible, usually at the city or district office.
  4. Submit evidenceEvidence of household composition, income and rent is required; in mixed shared flats possibly only for the person not eligible for BAföG.
  5. Check the notice of decisionAn objection against a rejection notice is possible within one month.

Deadlines

1 month
Time limit for objection against a housing benefit notice of decision§ 70 VwGO
usually 12 months
Typical approval period for housing benefit, after which a renewal application is neededAdministrative practice of the Wohngeldstellen
Watch out – common mistakes
  • The exclusion applies as soon as BAföG would be possible in principle – even someone who receives not a cent of BAföG because of parental income usually remains excluded from housing benefit.
  • In shared flats with mixed status it is often wrongly assumed that nobody can get housing benefit – in fact, the person not eligible for BAföG can apply for housing benefit for themselves.
  • If you have exceeded the maximum funding period and are no longer receiving an extension, you should have the exclusion from housing benefit reviewed again, because the BAföG entitlement in principle may then have lapsed.
  • A BAföG notice of decision granting only a full loan (without a grant portion) is a recognised exception to the exclusion from housing benefit that is often overlooked.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

"In principle" vs. "in amount"

§ 20 Abs. 2 Satz 1 Nr. 1 WoGG excludes from housing benefit persons who are entitled in principle to benefits under the BAföG, regardless of whether the funding is actually paid in full, in a small amount or not at all. In practice this often leads to misunderstandings, because students without actual BAföG receipt are nevertheless treated as eligible for BAföG under housing benefit law.

Exceptions

The exclusion does not apply if training assistance is granted exclusively as a loan, if no entitlement in principle exists any more (e.g. after the maximum funding period has been exceeded without extension) or if the specific course of study is not eligible for BAföG. In households with several people, housing benefit may come into question in proportion for the household members who are not eligible for BAföG.

Who is responsible
  • Local Wohngeldstelle (usually at the city or district office)
Further reading
Applying for BAföGHousing: student halls and shared flatsAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Housing benefit for students“?
Housing benefit is excluded for most students as long as BAföG would be possible in principle – but there are important exceptions.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 1 month: Time limit for objection against a housing benefit notice of decision (§ 70 VwGO)
  • usually 12 months: Typical approval period for housing benefit, after which a renewal application is needed (Administrative practice of the Wohngeldstellen)
What should I do first?
  • Check BAföG eligibility in principle: What matters is whether a BAföG entitlement could exist at all – not whether it is actually paid.
  • Identify an exception: Check whether one of the recognised exceptions applies, such as a BAföG full-loan notice of decision or a course of study that is not eligible for funding.
  • Apply at the Wohngeldstelle: The local Wohngeldstelle (housing benefit office) is responsible, usually at the city or district office.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • The exclusion applies as soon as BAföG would be possible in principle – even someone who receives not a cent of BAföG because of parental income usually remains excluded from housing benefit.
  • In shared flats with mixed status it is often wrongly assumed that nobody can get housing benefit – in fact, the person not eligible for BAföG can apply for housing benefit for themselves.
  • If you have exceeded the maximum funding period and are no longer receiving an extension, you should have the exclusion from housing benefit reviewed again, because the BAföG entitlement in principle may then have lapsed.
Evidence
  • § 20 WoGG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • Studierendenwerke – information pages on housing benefit
As of

As of September 2026. · Sources and method

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