Call to Rally: Secure BAföG Now, Achieve Educational Equity (June 24, 6:00 p.m.)

The AStA Bonn is calling for a rally in response to the federal government’s decision to reverse its previously promised increase in BAföG funding, as part of a series of protests organized by student councils across North Rhine-Westphalia. The rally will take place on June 24 at 6:00 p.m. in front of the MNL Departmental Library, Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 4.

The German government's concession to adjust the BAföG rate is now being withdrawn. Yet more than a third of students are at risk of poverty [1]. Rents and the cost of living continue to rise, and BAföG rates have long since ceased to reflect the realities of daily life. Here in Bonn, the average rent for a room in a shared apartment is €540[2]—which is still €100 more than the proposed increased housing allowance of €440!

"Students simply can't cut back any further. Two-thirds of students are already working because they can’t make ends meet otherwise. That also takes time away from studying or reviewing course material, putting their ability to graduate within the standard period of study at risk. And if we exceed that period, we lose our BAföG eligibility and quickly end up with a restrictive loan, starting our careers with even more student debt,” says AStA Chair Pauline Kalle.

The approved increase in BAföG would at least be a first step toward ensuring a minimum standard of living, since even the maximum BAföG rate is still below that level.[3]

The increase in BAföG must not be kept to a minimum or postponed yet again. BAföG is the key tool for ensuring that higher education is accessible to all. Access to higher education must not be a luxury, nor should it depend on parents’ income.

And it’s not just with BAföG that the irresponsible actions of German policymakers are apparent: “Universities are off-limits due to the need for renovations, plaster is crumbling off the walls of our schools, and education budgets are being cut (here in North Rhine-Westphalia as well). A lack of investment in education and educational equity is an exercise in cost-cutting – not for the benefit of, but at the expense of future generations!” said Luc Augustin, vice chair of the AStA.

On June 24, student councils across NRW will be holding local events. More information will be posted on the Landes-ASten-Treffen website in the coming days.

Come join us on June 24—together, we’ll stand up for equitable education and the promised increase in BAföG!

[1]: https://www.studierendenwerke.de/beitrag/36-armutsbetroffene-studierende, zul. abgerufen 10.06.2026.

[2]: https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/1420229/umfrage/miete-wg-zimmer-in-deutschen-staedten/, zul. abgerufen 10.06.2026.

[3]: https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Standardartikel/Themen/Steuern/das-aendert-sich-2026.html.