Finances for Studies
Here you will find an overview of funding options for your studies
Finances for Children
Every year, the federal government allocates substantial funds to families, covering a wide range of benefits. Here, we provide an initial overview of the financial support options available for families and during pregnancy.
Our tip: Start familiarizing yourself with the applications before the birth and prepare them as much as possible in advance.
Maternity Allowance
You are entitled to maternity allowance if you are employed or in a marginal employment position.
If you are a member of a statutory health insurance scheme, you can apply for maternity allowance through your health insurance provider.
Further information on maternity benefits can be found on the Family Portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth (BMFSFJ).
Students who are privately or family-insured must submit their application to the Federal Office for Social Security (Mutterschaftsgeldstelle).
You can calculate the amount of your maternity allowance here: Maternity Allowance Calculator.
Child Benefit
Child benefit is an income-independent financial support available to all families with children. It can be applied for immediately after the child’s birth at the Family Offices of the Employment Agencies or the Family Office for Public Service Employees. Further information, as well as the application form, can be found here:
Application form for online completion
Additional information about child benefit
Parental Allowance
Parental allowance supports the financial stability of families and enables parents to dedicate time to their child.
If you wish to take parental leave, you must submit a written application no later than seven weeks before the start date. During parental leave, you are entitled to special protection against dismissal. To compensate for income loss during this time, you can receive parental allowance for the first 14 months of the child’s life: 12 months + 2 partner months.
There are different options available: Basic Parental Allowance (Basiselterngeld), Parental Allowance Plus (ElterngeldPlus), and the Partnership Bonus (Partnerschaftsbonus). These options can also be combined. Parental allowance is also available to separated parents.
You are also entitled to the basic parental allowance of €300 if you have no income or had no income in the past 12 months.
For further information, including how to apply for parental allowance, click here.
Child Supplement, Benefits for Education and Participation, and Housing Allowance
If you have a low income, many parents are eligible for the Child Supplement, the Education and Participation Package, and/or Housing Allowance—this applies to both couples and single parents. Families are eligible for the child supplement if the parents' income covers their own needs but not those of their children.
The supplement can be applied for at the relevant Family Office. Further information, as well as the option to submit the application online, can be found here.
Additionally, you can apply for Education and Participation Benefits, which cover expenses such as school supplies for your child, school and daycare trips, school transportation, tutoring, or sports club memberships.
These benefits can be requested from your local municipality or district office. Further information, including details on how to apply, can be found here.
Housing allowance, as a rent subsidy, can be applied for by low-income families at the housing allowance office of the municipality. Students are generally only eligible for housing allowance in exceptional cases. You can check here to see if you are eligible.
Advance Maintenance Payment
Single parents can apply for an advance maintenance payment for children under the age of 18 at the Youth Welfare Office if the person obligated to pay maintenance does not pay at all, pays irregularly, or if paternity has not been established. The amount depends on the age of the child.
For more details, see:
Information on Advance Maintenance Payments on the Family Portal.
Information on Advance Maintenance Payments from the Ministry for Family, Women, Culture, and Integration RLP.
Citizen's Allowance (Bürgergeld)
It is possible to apply for Citizen's Allowance (formerly Unemployment Benefit II) for your child, even if you, as a parent, are not eligible to receive it. Additionally, during leave of absence semesters, when BAföG eligibility ceases, you may still be entitled to Citizen's Allowance if you demonstrate financial need.
Here, you can find information on applying for Citizen's Allowance for students/children and additional benefits for pregnant individuals:
Citizen's Allowance Information from the Student Union
Citizen's Allowance Information from Studis Online
Pro Familia
We highly recommend the Pro Familia counseling center. A personal consultation here can be especially worthwhile financially, as the staff are well-trained and knowledgeable about where and how to apply for various types of financial support. They will do their best to assist you on your journey.
Here you can find the Pro Familia counseling center in Kaiserslautern.
Overview of All Facilities in Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP)
Caritas
At Caritas, in addition to counseling services, you can also apply for initial equipment for the baby (e.g., stroller, crib, clothing) or maternity clothing for the expectant mother.
Student Union: Financial Emergency Assistance
Students from Kaiserslautern universities who find themselves in sudden financial distress through no fault of their own can apply for financial emergency assistance from the Student Union's social fund.
It must be demonstrated that the financial hardship is temporary and not permanent, with a reasonable prospect of improvement.
Emergency Fund of the University of Kaiserslautern
The University of Kaiserslautern provides an Emergency Fund for its students who find themselves in sudden financial hardship through no fault of their own.
Students can apply for a one-time payment to bridge the gap (e.g., for study or child-related expenses, furniture, etc.) after presenting their situation.
The university administration decides on the application based on the recommendation of the Diversity Management Office. There is no legal entitlement to this assistance.
Please contact us if you wish to submit an application or have any questions.