Student Loans and Study Financing in Germany for International Students

Short answer: in Germany, "student loan" is not one product. The KfW Studienkredit, the Bildungskredit, BAföG, Studierendenwerk loans, bank products and income-share models each follow their own rules. Which of them you can use depends on the product, your residence status and your personal situation. A typical international student who came to Germany on a student residence permit (§ 16b AufenthG) is not listed as a separate eligible category for the KfW Studienkredit or the Bildungskredit. Bildungsinländer, EU citizens who have lived in Germany for some time, and certain other statuses are assessed differently. This guide explains each option, what it means for your visa and residence permit, and what to check before you borrow.

Stand (as of): 26.09.2026 · Interest rates, eligibility rules and product availability can change. · General information only; this is not financial or legal advice. · Check the official provider's current conditions before applying.

#What a Studienkredit is

A Studienkredit (study loan) is a loan you take out to cover living costs while you study and that you repay with interest. The best-known product under this name is the "KfW-Studienkredit" from KfW, Germany's state-owned development bank [1]. In everyday language, though, "student loan" can mean very different things:

• KfW Studienkredit: a variable-rate state-bank loan, independent of income, with no collateral [1][2].
• Bildungskredit: a federal loan for students in an advanced stage of study, limited in time and amount [5][6].
• BAföG: state support that, in higher education, is generally half grant and half interest-free loan [9].
• Studierendenwerk / Darlehenskasse loans: emergency, bridge or final-phase loans from student services organisations [12].
• Bank and Sparkasse products: a few local banks have their own education loans; many banks only broker the KfW loan [21][37].
• Income-share models (Bildungsfonds): after graduating you pay a percentage of your income for a set period [24].
• Non-debt sources: scholarships, work, family support and a Verpflichtungserklärung (formal sponsorship declaration) [34][35][26].

The distinction matters because each product differs in who can apply, how much it pays and how it is treated in visa and residence procedures.

#Studienkredit vs BAföG

A Studienkredit and BAföG are not the same thing. BAföG is state support governed by a federal law (the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz); in higher education it is generally paid half as a non-repayable grant and half as an interest-free state loan [9]. A Studienkredit is a loan contract: you repay the amount you received plus interest [1].

The law also sets a repayment cap and a debt-cancellation rule for the BAföG loan part [9][10]. A Studienkredit has no such cap: what you repay in total depends on the interest rate and the repayment period.

#Which options international students can access

Access does not follow one rule. It depends on the product and your residence status:

• KfW Studienkredit: the official eligibility list covers German citizens, EU citizens under certain conditions, family members and Bildungsinländer. A typical international student holding only a § 16b student residence permit is not listed as a separate eligible category [1][2].
• Bildungskredit: for non-German students, the rules of § 8 BAföG apply; these mainly cover permanent or long-term residence statuses [7][8].
• BAföG: depends on the statuses listed in § 8 BAföG; ordinary § 16b status alone is not listed as sufficient [8].
• Studierendenwerk loans: vary by organisation. Some accept all nationalities, some require non-EU students to hold a permanent residence permit. In practice the biggest hurdle is often a guarantor living in Germany [12][14][15][16].
• Scholarships, work and family support: there is no general nationality ban; each programme has its own conditions [26][34][35].

So there is no general yes or no answer for international students. Check your own residence status first, then the product's eligibility list.

#KfW Studienkredit

The KfW Studienkredit (programme number 174) pays a monthly amount to students at state or state-recognised higher education institutions in Germany [1]. Key features:

• No collateral is required and the loan is independent of income [1][2].
• Even so, KfW carries out a credit assessment and makes the credit decision, and there is no legal entitlement to the loan [2].
• You don't apply to KfW directly but through KfW's distribution partners (banks, Sparkassen or online partners) [1].
• Non-German applicants have to submit an additional form and documents such as proof of registration at a German address [2].

#Who can get a KfW Studienkredit

KfW's official eligibility list covers [1][2]:

1. German citizens with an address in Germany, and their family members;
2. EU citizens who have lived lawfully in Germany and been registered there for at least three years, and their family members;
3. Bildungsinländer: people who obtained their university entrance qualification (for example the Abitur) in Germany or at a German school abroad and have a registered address in Germany.

There is also an age limit: you must be no older than 44 on the 1 April or 1 October before your funding starts [2].

Note for non-EU students: holding only a § 16b student residence permit is not listed as a separate eligible category. That doesn't mean non-EU students are excluded across the board. Someone who earned an Abitur in Germany (a Bildungsinländer), or who qualifies as a family member of an EU citizen, is assessed differently. Check your situation against KfW's current conditions and with the partner you apply through.

#KfW payout and duration

The KfW Studienkredit pays between €100 and €650 a month; you choose the amount [1][2]. How long you can receive payments depends on your age [2]:

For master's and postgraduate programmes, payouts are limited to 6 semesters and €23,400. The first application can be made up to the 10th subject semester (Fachsemester) [2].

#KfW interest

The KfW Studienkredit has a variable interest rate. It is made up of the 6-month EURIBOR plus a fixed margin and is normally reset every year on 1 April and 1 October [2][3].

KfW Studienkredit interest rate: Stand 02.10.2026, valid from 01.10.2026 Nominal: 6.20% · Effective: 6.38% [3][4] This rate is variable: KfW resets it every 1 April and 1 October, and the next rate can be lower or higher. Always check the current rate on KfW's official website.

For comparison: the previous rate, valid from 1 April 2026, was 6.34% nominal and 6.53% effective, and the effective rate from 1 October 2025 was 6.04% [3]. So within a year the rate first rose and then fell again. Sample calculations on the KfW product page illustrate the maths; they are not the current product rate. Always read a rate together with the date it applies from.

During the payout phase, the interest that builds up is deducted from your monthly payout. That means you may not receive the full amount you chose. Later in the payout phase, KfW's conditions may allow you to defer interest (Zinsstundung); deferred interest doesn't disappear, it is paid later [2].

#KfW repayment

• Grace period (Karenzphase): after the last payout there is a repayment-free period of 18–23 months. You can ask to shorten it to 6 months [2].
• Duration: repayment can take up to 25 years and must be completed by age 67 [2].
• Instalments: the minimum monthly instalment is €20; the default plan is a 10-year repayment [2].
• Fixed rate: in the repayment phase you can choose a fixed rate for up to 10 years [2][3].
• Special repayments: you can make extra repayments of at least €100 in every phase [2].

Build a realistic repayment plan based on KfW's conditions and your expected income. Find out from the contract terms beforehand what you can do if your income turns out lower than planned.

#Bildungskredit

Don't confuse the Bildungskredit with the KfW Studienkredit. It is a separate federal programme (number 173) offering short-term support to students in an advanced stage of their studies. The Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) approves the application and KfW pays it out [5][6].

Who can apply: students aged 18 up to the end of the month of their 36th birthday, in an advanced stage of study and no later than their 12th semester [6]. For non-German students, the rules of § 8 BAföG apply; these cover permanent residence and similar statuses [7][8]. An ordinary § 16b student permit alone is not listed as sufficient.

Amount: €100, €200 or €300 a month for up to 24 months, so €1,000–€7,200 in total. A one-off payment of up to €3,600 is also possible [6].

Interest: variable, linked to EURIBOR.

Bildungskredit interest rate: Stand 02.10.2026, valid from 01.10.2026 Nominal: 4.14% · Effective: 4.09% [4][5]

Repayment: starts 4 years after the first payout, at €120 a month. Early repayment is free of charge and no collateral is required [5][6].

#How BAföG compares

This isn't a BAföG guide, so here are only the key points for comparison:

• In higher education, BAföG is generally paid as 50% grant and 50% interest-free state loan [9].
• Repayment of the loan part starts about five years after the end of the maximum funding period; the law sets a minimum monthly instalment and cancels the remaining debt after a certain number of instalments [10]. Always check your own figures in your official notice (Bescheid).
• For international students, eligibility depends on the statuses in § 8 BAföG. An ordinary § 16b student permit is not listed as sufficient; family, permanent-residence and other statuses are assessed separately [8].
• A cabinet draft adopted on 12 August 2026 plans higher BAföG rates from 1 April 2027. This change has not taken effect [11].

#Studierendenwerk loans

Studierendenwerke (student services organisations) and their Darlehenskassen (loan funds) are a separate category. There is no single national product. Of the 58 Studierendenwerke in Germany, 56 give bridging loans through a Darlehenskasse to students who face financial hardship through no fault of their own. However, there is no legal entitlement and a guarantor is usually required [12].

It helps to tell the product types apart:

• Emergency / one-off loans: small amounts for unexpected, short-term hardship.
• Bridging loans: for example to cover the gap while a BAföG decision is pending.
• Final-phase loans (Studienabschlussdarlehen): for students in the last stage of their studies.

Examples we checked (on the organisations' own pages, as of 26.09.2026):

• Berlin: studierendenWERK BERLIN itself states that it does not currently give loans; it offers only one-off emergency support [13]. Separately, Studentische Darlehnskasse Berlin e.V., an independent association, offers an interest-bearing study loan (tiered interest starting at 3.95%); it requires non-EU students to hold a permanent residence permit, and a guarantor is needed [14]. Don't mix up these two organisations.
• Daka (NRW): the shared loan fund of 12 Studierendenwerke in North Rhine-Westphalia. It says it funds all nationalities; the loan is interest-free but carries a 5% administration fee, up to €12,000 in total. A guarantor is required; a non-EU guarantor needs a permanent residence permit [15].
• Bavaria (Darlehenskasse der Bayerischen Studierendenwerke): a final-phase loan, interest-free for the first 5 years and then 2% a year, up to €18,000 in total. It requires non-EU students to hold an unlimited residence or settlement permit (exceptions possible in hardship cases); a guarantor is required [16].
• Hamburg: a one-off loan (up to €1,000), a final-phase loan and a BAföG bridging loan; interest-free with a 1% fee; a guarantor is usually required [17].
• Frankfurt (MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen): interest-free with a 5% administration fee, up to €10,000 in total; a guarantor is required [18].
• Cologne (KStW): an interest-free relief-fund loan for unforeseen hardship through no fault of your own (guarantor required) and a short €350 bridging loan without a guarantor; you are expected to have used other financing sources first [19].
• Heidelberg: an interest-free loan for the final phase of study, usually up to six times the monthly BAföG rate, with a 1% fee; no guarantor is needed for loans under €500 [20].

So some loans are interest-free but charge a fee, others charge interest; some set nationality conditions and others don't. Talk to the social counselling service of your local Studierendenwerk before deciding; many require a counselling session before you apply [13][17][19].

#Private bank loans

As of 2026, it is hard to find a classic, bank-owned student loan at the big banks:

• DKB states clearly that it no longer offers its own student loan and refers students to KfW [21].
• On the official websites of Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, no bank-owned classic student loan could be identified as of 26.09.2026. Deutsche Bank's personal-loan page requires a regular net income [22].
• Many Sparkassen and Volksbanken mainly broker the KfW Studienkredit [37].
• Some local banks have their own products. For example, Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw's S-Bildungskredit has a variable rate and requires creditworthiness (Bonität) [23].

So don't assume that a German bank will have its own student loan. If you find a bank product, ask in writing about the type of interest, the total cost, any collateral or guarantor requirement, and whether it's open to international students.

Income-share models: instead of interest, you pay a percentage of your income for a set period after graduating. As of 26.09.2026, CHANCEN eG's website said that funding is currently not possible; Deutsche Bildung's site appears open to applications but says a German Abitur is expected; Brain Capital requires EU citizenship or a permanent residence permit [24]. The status of these models changes often, so ask the provider directly before applying.

#SCHUFA and credit checks

SCHUFA is Germany's best-known credit bureau. Its role in student loans depends on the product:

• KfW does not mention SCHUFA in the checked Merkblatt. KfW still assesses you: it carries out a credit assessment and makes a credit decision [2].
• Bank products usually check creditworthiness (Bonität) [23].
• Some income-share providers state that they don't create a SCHUFA entry [24].

Having no SCHUFA history in Germany yet does not in itself mean automatic rejection; each provider makes its own assessment. Our SCHUFA guide explains how SCHUFA works and how a record is built up, and our guide to renting without SCHUFA covers the rental side.

#Guarantors and collateral

• The KfW Studienkredit and the Bildungskredit require no collateral [2][6].
• Studierendenwerk loans often require a guarantor (Bürge) [12]. Daka, for example, requires a guarantor aged 18–70 who lives permanently in Germany and earns above the attachment-free income limit [15]. In Bavaria, the guarantor must live in Germany and have a minimum monthly income [16].
• Studentische Darlehnskasse Berlin e.V. requires two guarantors above a certain loan amount [14].

For international students who are new to Germany, finding a guarantor who lives in Germany and has a regular income is often a bigger hurdle than any nationality rule.

#Visa and residence permit: proof of financial resources

This is the most commonly misunderstood part. The key point: a student loan does not automatically replace a blocked account (Sperrkonto).

Legal framework: under the Residence Act, living costs for study-related residence count as secured by an amount linked to the monthly BAföG requirement [25]. For 2026, that amount is €992 a month, or €11,904 a year [28][31]. Authorities assess acceptable proof against a list in the administrative regulations that begins with "insbesondere" (in particular), so it isn't closed. It names parents' income and assets, a Verpflichtungserklärung, a blocked account, an annually renewed bank guarantee and scholarships [27].

First visa (applying from outside Germany):

• The German mission pages we checked (for example the German missions in France) do not list an ordinary student loan among the standard accepted forms of proof [28].
• That doesn't mean a loan is "forbidden"; it means it isn't on the standard list.
• Ask the German mission (embassy or consulate) responsible for you which proof it accepts. DAAD also advises confirming the form of proof with the mission [29].

In Germany, when a § 16b permit is issued or extended:

• Hamburg's immigration office lists, in its information sheet for students, a bank student-loan contract that pays out a sufficient monthly amount as acceptable proof (Stand: July 2024) [30]. Hamburg also says different kinds of proof can be combined.
• This is an example, not a nationwide rule. Berlin's service page lists bank statements for the last six months and other income for extensions but doesn't mention loans [31]. Immigration offices in other cities may ask for different evidence.
• Proof of funds is requested again at extension, and reasonable academic progress is also taken into account [26][36].

What you must know: a loan approval does not guarantee a visa or residence permit. The decision always lies with the responsible mission or immigration office, and some assessments are discretionary.

For the visa process, see our 2026 student visa guide. To estimate visa costs, use our visa cost tool. For support from family or friends, see our Verpflichtungserklärung guide.

#Blocked account vs student loan

• A Sperrkonto (blocked account) is a proof-of-funds mechanism. It shows the money is available and only lets you withdraw a set amount each month. The amount required for 2026 is €11,904 a year (€992 a month) [28][31].
• A Studienkredit is a financing product. It lends you money that you repay with interest.

They are not the same thing. A loan might be one way of getting the money you pay into a blocked account, but that doesn't mean the loan itself will be accepted as proof of funds. Our blocked account guide explains how a Sperrkonto works, and our guide to blocked-account use in different situations covers extensions and scholarships. You can compare providers with our blocked account tool.

No verified official figure exists yet for 2027; the planned BAföG changes may affect it.

#The real cost of borrowing

A simple example of the mechanism (not a calculation, just to show the logic):

A student plans to receive €500 a month for 24 months. Scheduled total payout: €500 × 24 = €12,000.

That €12,000 is not the total amount you will repay. Here's why:

• Interest accrues: during the payout phase, interest is charged each month on the total you've borrowed so far.
• KfW interest is variable: the rate is reset twice a year, so you can't know future rates today [2][3].
• Interest may be deducted from the payout: with KfW, interest is taken out of your monthly payout during the payout phase, so you may not receive the full €500 each month [2].
• The repayment period matters: the longer you take to repay, the more interest you pay in total.

That's why this guide gives no exact "total repayment" figure. Use KfW's own calculators and current conditions, and ask for the payout and repayment plan in writing before you sign. To plan your monthly budget, our cost of living tool and our article on the real cost of being a student in Germany can help.

#Variable-rate risk

A variable rate can go down as well as up. The effective rate for the KfW Studienkredit was 6.04% from 1 October 2025, rose to 6.53% from 1 April 2026 and fell to 6.38% from 1 October 2026 [3]. The Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre) also points out that the rate can change every 1 April and 1 October during the payout phase, and that a fixed rate can be agreed under certain conditions in the repayment phase [32].

To manage this risk:

• Keep track of rate changes.
• Find out the terms and cost of the fixed-rate option for the repayment phase [2].
• Check the options and conditions for extra repayments in advance [2].

#Advantages

• Some products are independent of income and need no collateral (KfW, Bildungskredit) [1][6].
• You can adjust the monthly payout to your needs [1].
• Studierendenwerk loans are often interest-free (fees may apply) [15][17].
• Repayment starts after graduation, following a grace period [2].
• A loan can make it easier to cut working hours and focus on your studies.

#Risks

• With an interest-bearing loan, you repay more than you received.
• A variable rate makes the total cost hard to predict [3][32].
• If your studies take longer or you drop out, repayment can become harder; some lenders may ask for instalments straight away [32].
• A loan does not automatically count as proof of funds for a visa or residence permit [28][30].
• With loans that need a guarantor, the guarantor also takes on liability.

If you struggle with repayment, you can turn to the free debt counselling services run by the Verbraucherzentralen and local authorities; you can find a local advice centre through meine-schulden.de [33].

#Alternatives

• Deutschlandstipendium: €300 a month, non-repayable, open to all nationalities, independent of income and merit-based. You apply through your own university. On its own it doesn't cover the €992 proof-of-funds requirement [34].
• DAAD scholarships and STIBET: the DAAD scholarship database lists programmes. STIBET scholarships aren't applied for directly; students access them through their university's International Office [35].
• Work: with a § 16b permit you can work 140 full days or 280 half days a year; student jobs at your university don't count towards this limit [26]. We compare the options in HiWi vs Werkstudent, explain the career value in our Werkstudent guide and cover internships in our guide to internships with B1/B2 German.
• Family support / Verpflichtungserklärung: parents' income documents or a sponsorship declaration from someone living in Germany are among the accepted forms of proof [27].
• Studierendenwerk emergency help: some Studierendenwerke run emergency funds for international students [36].

For the practical hurdles of opening an account, see our bank account guide; for city-level costs, see the cheapest student cities in Germany.

#Five student scenarios

These scenarios are not product recommendations. They only show which categories and checks may come up.

#Scenario 1: a non-EU student applying from Türkiye for a first student visa

• Possible categories: blocked account, Verpflichtungserklärung, scholarship, parents' income documents.
• Eligibility check: for a first application from outside Germany, the statuses on the KfW and Bildungskredit eligibility lists usually don't apply [1][7].
• Documents to verify: the mission's current list of accepted proof and the 2026 amount (€11,904 a year) [28][31].
• Risk: applying with proof that isn't on the standard list.
• Confirm with: the German mission you apply to.

#Scenario 2: a § 16b student already in Germany with a financing gap

• Possible categories: Studierendenwerk emergency or bridging loan, work, scholarship, family support, and in some cities a loan contract.
• Eligibility check: the Studierendenwerk's nationality and guarantor conditions; this status isn't listed as a separate category for KfW [1][12].
• Documents to verify: the proof of funds your immigration office asks for at extension, plus evidence of academic progress [30][31].
• Risk: not having enough proof close to your extension date.
• Confirm with: your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) and the Studierendenwerk's social counselling service.

#Scenario 3: an EU citizen who has lived in Germany for at least three years

• Possible categories: KfW Studienkredit, BAföG and Bildungskredit if the conditions are met, scholarships.
• Eligibility check: length of lawful residence and registration, age limit [1][2].
• Documents to verify: registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), enrolment certificate.
• Risk: variable interest and total cost.
• Confirm with: a KfW distribution partner; for BAföG, your local BAföG office.

#Scenario 4: a Bildungsinländer with a German Abitur

• Possible categories: KfW Studienkredit, BAföG and Bildungskredit depending on residence status, scholarships.
• Eligibility check: KfW's Bildungsinländer definition and a registered German address [1][2]; for BAföG, the status under § 8 [8].
• Documents to verify: Abitur certificate, residence permit, registration.
• Risk: eligibility can change if your residence status changes.
• Confirm with: a KfW distribution partner and your BAföG office.

#Scenario 5: a student close to graduation with a short-term funding gap

• Possible categories: Studierendenwerk final-phase loan, Bildungskredit (if eligible), work, scholarship.
• Eligibility check: remaining semesters, the final-phase loan's conditions, guarantor [16][17][20].
• Documents to verify: transcript, exam and thesis timetable.
• Risk: graduation is delayed and repayment overlaps with your job search.
• Confirm with: the Studierendenwerk's social counselling service; for exam rules see our grading and exam retakes guide, and for what happens if your enrolment ends see our Exmatrikulation guide.

#Comparison table

Eligibility and conditions vary by provider, residence status and individual circumstances. Check the official provider before applying.

#Checklist

1. Identify your residence status (§ 16b, permanent residence, EU citizenship, Bildungsinländer).
2. Write down your needs month by month and work out how long you need funding.
3. Check non-debt sources first: scholarships, work, family support.
4. Compare the KfW, Bildungskredit and BAföG eligibility lists with your status.
5. Find out your local Studierendenwerk's loan types and its nationality and guarantor conditions.
6. Always read an interest rate together with its "valid from" date, and check whether it is variable or fixed.
7. Ask whether interest is deducted from the payout during the payout phase.
8. Get the repayment start date and minimum instalment in writing.
9. If you plan to use the loan for a visa or extension, ask the responsible mission or immigration office in advance.
10. If repayment becomes difficult, contact a free debt counselling service [33].

#FAQ

#Can international students get a KfW student loan in Germany?

It depends. KfW's official eligibility list covers German citizens, EU citizens who have lived in Germany for at least three years, family members and Bildungsinländer. Holding only a § 16b student residence permit is not listed as a separate eligible category. People with a German Abitur or an eligible family status are assessed separately.

#Does a student loan replace a blocked account?

Not automatically. The German mission pages we checked don't list student loans among the standard accepted forms of proof for a first visa, so ask your mission. For extensions in Germany, some immigration offices, such as Hamburg's, may accept a loan contract that pays out a sufficient monthly amount; this isn't a nationwide rule.

#What is the current KfW Studienkredit interest rate?

The rate valid from 01.10.2026 is 6.20% nominal and 6.38% effective (previous period: 6.34% nominal, 6.53% effective). The rate is variable and is normally reset every 1 April and 1 October, so it can change at the next reset. Check KfW's official website for the current rate.

#What is the difference between a Studienkredit and BAföG?

BAföG is state support set out in law; in higher education it is generally half grant and half interest-free loan. A Studienkredit is a loan contract that you repay in full with interest. The eligibility rules also differ.

#Can I get a student loan without a SCHUFA history?

Having no SCHUFA history doesn't in itself mean automatic rejection. KfW does not mention SCHUFA in the checked Merkblatt, but it does carry out a credit assessment. Banks usually check creditworthiness. Each provider makes its own assessment.

#Do I need a guarantor for a Studierendenwerk loan?

Often, yes. Studierendenwerk loans usually require a guarantor who lives in Germany and has a regular income. Some small or short bridging loans may not need one. Conditions vary by organisation, and there's no legal entitlement to a loan.

#Sources

1. KfW, KfW-Studienkredit (174) product page — https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Studieren-Qualifizieren/F%C3%B6rderprodukte/KfW-Studienkredit-(174)/
2. KfW, Merkblatt KfW-Studienkredit 174 (Stand 11/2023) — https://www.kfw.de/PDF/Download-Center/F%C3%B6rderprogramme-(Inlandsf%C3%B6rderung)/PDF-Dokumente/6000002590_M_174_Studienkredit.PDF
3. KfW, Fragen und Antworten zum KfW-Studienkredit (rate from 01.10.2026) — https://www.kfw.de/%C3%9Cber-die-KfW/Newsroom/Aktuelles/Q-As-Studienkredit.html
4. KfW, Konditionenanzeiger (checked 02.10.2026) — https://www.kfw-formularsammlung.de/KonditionenanzeigerINet/KonditionenAnzeiger
5. KfW, Bildungskredit (173) — https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Studieren-Qualifizieren/F%C3%B6rderprodukte/Bildungskredit-(173)/
6. Bundesverwaltungsamt, Was bietet der Bildungskredit — https://www.bva.bund.de/DE/Services/Buerger/Schule-Ausbildung-Studium/Bildungskredit/Antrag/Bildungskredit-Hintergrund/bildungskredit-was-bietet_node.html
7. Bundesverwaltungsamt, Bildungskredit: nationality — https://www.bva.bund.de/DE/Services/Buerger/Schule-Ausbildung-Studium/Bildungskredit/Antrag/Studierende/Voraussetzungen/Besondere/Besondere_6.html
8. § 8 BAföG — https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__8.html
9. § 17 BAföG — https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__17.html
10. § 18 BAföG — https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__18.html
11. BMFTR, BAföG cabinet decision (12.08.2026) — https://www.bmftr.bund.de/SharedDocs/Kurzmeldungen/DE/2026/08/120826-bafoeg-kabinettsbeschluss.html
12. Deutsches Studierendenwerk, Darlehenskassen — https://www.studierendenwerke.de/en/topics/student-finance/funding-options/darlehenskassen
13. studierendenWERK BERLIN, Finanzielle Unterstützung in Notlagen — https://www.stw.berlin/beratung/beratung-finanzierung-und-soziales/studienfinanzierung-im-%C3%BCberblick/einmalige-unterst%C3%BCtzungsm%C3%B6glichkeiten-des-studierendenwerks-berlin/finanzielle-unterst%C3%BCtzung-in-notlagen.html
14. Studentische Darlehnskasse Berlin e.V. — https://dakaberlin.de/
15. Daka – Darlehenskasse der Studierendenwerke e.V. — https://daka-darlehensantrag.de/ ; Kölner Studierendenwerk, Daka-Darlehen — https://www.kstw.de/finanzen/weitere-finanzierungsmoeglichkeiten/daka-darlehen/
16. Darlehenskasse der Bayerischen Studierendenwerke, Richtlinien — https://www.darlehenskasse-bayern.de/richtlinien/
17. Studierendenwerk Hamburg, Darlehen für Studierende in finanziellen Notlagen — https://www.stwhh.de/studienfinanzierung/darlehen-fuer-studierende-in-finanziellen-notlagen ; Darlehenskasse — https://www.stwhh.de/studienfinanzierung/darlehenskasse-des-studierendenwerks-hamburg
18. Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main, MainSWerk-Studiendarlehen — https://www.swffm.de/beratung-finanzierung/studienfinanzierung/mainswerk-studiendarlehen
19. Kölner Studierendenwerk, Darlehen in Notlagen — https://www.kstw.de/finanzen/darlehen-in-notlagen/
20. Studierendenwerk Heidelberg, Stipendien und Kredite — https://www.stw.uni-heidelberg.de/de/stipendien_und_kredite
21. DKB, Bietet die DKB einen Studienkredit an — https://www.dkb.de/fragen-antworten/bietet-die-dkb-einen-studienkredit-an
22. Deutsche Bank, personal loan FAQ — https://www.deutsche-bank.de/pk/service-und-kontakt/services/fragen-antworten/kredit-und-immobilien/werden-auch-privatkredite-an-arbeitslose-auszubildende_-hausfrauen-studenten-und-schueler-vergeben.html ; Commerzbank, KfW-Studienkredit — https://www.commerzbank.de/kredit-finanzierung/produkte/ratenkredite/kfw-studienkredit/
23. Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw, S-Bildungskredit — https://www.sparkasse-pforzheim-calw.de/de/home/privatkunden/kredite-und-finanzierungen/bildungskredit.html
24. CHANCEN eG — https://chancen-eg.de/ ; Deutsche Bildung, FAQ — https://www.deutsche-bildung.de/faq/ ; Brain Capital, FAQ — https://braincapital.de/faq.html
25. § 2 AufenthG — https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__2.html
26. § 16b AufenthG — https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16b.html
27. General administrative regulation on the Residence Act (AVwV-AufenthG), no. 16.0.8 — https://www.verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de/bsvwvbund_26102009_MI31284060.htm
28. German missions in France, study visa — https://allemagneenfrance.diplo.de/fr-de/service/visa/2521298-2521298
29. DAAD / Study in Germany, Finanzierungsnachweis — https://www.study-in-germany.com/de/studium-planen/voraussetzungen/finanzierungsnachweis/
30. Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Amt für Migration: Informationen für ausländische Studenten (Stand July 2024) — https://www.hamburg.de/resource/blob/91946/1dc75bb6a18abac0cb3dd85da155c1bc/amt-m-m31-informationen-fuer-auslaendische-studenten-2024-deutsch-pdf-data.pdf
31. Service Berlin, residence permit for study — https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305244/
32. Verbraucherzentrale, Studium mit Studienkredit (Stand 18.02.2025) — https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/geld-versicherungen/kredit-schulden-insolvenz/studium-mit-studienkredit-82766
33. meine-schulden.de, find a debt counselling centre — https://www.meine-schulden.de/en/finding-help/debt-advice-centers/find-a-debt-counseling-center
34. Deutschlandstipendium, FAQ — https://www.deutschlandstipendium.de/deutschlandstipendium/de/studierende/haeufig-gestellte-fragen/haeufig-gestellte-fragen.html
35. DAAD, STIBET I — https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/weiterfuehrende-infos-zu-daad-foerderprogrammen/stibet-i/ ; DAAD scholarships — https://www.daad.de/de/in-deutschland-studieren/stipendien/daad-stipendien/
36. Deutsches Studierendenwerk, internationale-studierende.de: Finanzierung und Aufenthalt — https://www.internationale-studierende.de/waehrend-des-studiums/finanzierung-und-aufenthalt
37. Sparkasse Oberhessen, KfW-Studienkredit — https://www.sparkasse-oberhessen.de/de/home/privatkunden/kredite-und-finanzierungen/kfw-studienkredit.html ; Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken, Studienkredit — https://www.vr.de/privatkunden/produkte/kredite/studienkredit.html

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