All German states unanimously call for urgent and comprehensive Bafög scholarship reform

All sixteen German federal states have issued an unprecedentedly unanimous call for an urgent and thorough reform of the federal Bafög scholarship system. At a conference of state science ministers, the states agreed on a common position, which is to be formally submitted to the federal government in Berlin. They are demanding an increase in the income criteria qualifying for benefits, an increase in the scholarship amounts themselves, and a radical simplification of the often-criticized, overly bureaucratic and complex application procedure. This unanimous position of the states, encompassing regions governed by CDU/CSU, SPD, and the Greens alike, significantly increases political pressure on the governing coalition. The Science Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Armin Willingmann (SPD), who is the spokesperson for the states on this issue, emphasizes the urgency of action. „Bafög muss an Lebensrealität angepasst werden” – he stated in interviews, which translates to: „Bafög must be adapted to current living reality”. He identified high inflation as a key problem, which in recent years has significantly reduced the real purchasing power of scholarships, while the law itself has not been adequately and regularly updated. Willingmann pointed out that many families now exceed the rigid, inadequate income thresholds, which deprives their children of the right to support, even though they realistically cannot afford to finance their studies independently. His statements, widely quoted in German media, highlight the social dimension of the neglect. The Bafög system was introduced in 1971 with the goal of ensuring equal opportunities in access to education, regardless of social background and family financial situation. For decades, it has undergone numerous amendments, often being the subject of jurisdictional and financial disputes between the states and the federal government, which is responsible for legislation in this area. The states, however, are responsible for the administrative implementation and payment of benefits, which explains their particular concern for the system's functionality.Pressure on the governing coalition in Berlin, currently composed of the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP, is also growing from student and social organizations. The German National Student Association and trade unions have long advocated not only for higher rates but also for the abolition of the upper age limit for applicants and for adapting the system to non-standard educational paths. The federal government, responsible for legislation, has not yet presented a concrete timetable for work, which is met with sharp criticism for sluggishness in a situation where living costs are drastically rising. The debate about Bafög has become one of the significant socio-political topics, illustrating the broader challenge of adapting welfare state instruments to new economic and demographic realities. The unanimity of the states, rare in German federalism, is a clear signal that the problem is considered urgent and systemic, requiring an immediate legislative response.