More than 500 pending lawsuits hinder BAföG processing - More than 500 pending lawsuits hinder BAföG processing
Thuringia’s student financial aid system is facing severe delays, leaving around 1,000 students waiting over a year for BAföG payments. A petition with thousands of signatures has pushed authorities to take action, leading to a temporary staffing boost in January 2026 to clear the backlog.
The crisis stems from over 90% of BAföG applications being submitted incomplete, forcing repeated requests for missing documents. With more than 500 pending lawsuits further slowing the process, the Studierendenwerk Thüringen will bring in 32 external staff to speed up reviews. These workers will focus on checking applications and chasing up required paperwork.
Initially, 30 full-time positions were planned, but the number was later adjusted to 32 through an external provider. The ministry expects to assess progress by April and decide whether to extend the contract or return to normal staffing levels. In the meantime, affected students are receiving provisional payments while waiting for their cases to be resolved. Affected students retain the right to pursue legal action, though such lawsuits add to the delays. The short-term surge in personnel aims to process stalled applications and prevent further financial hardship for those relying on BAföG support.
The temporary staff increase is set to begin in January, with provisional payments already reaching around 1,000 students. If successful, the measures could ease the backlog, but the ministry will review the situation in April to determine next steps. For now, students continue to face long waits for their funding.
