Apply for hardship waiver of BAföG repayment debt after rejection of a cooperation waiver

If Cooperation Forgiveness has been denied, you may apply for hardship forgiveness of your loan under certain circumstances.

Your decision for or against a BAföG education loan should not lead you to fears of debt. Thus, you can apply for a hardship waiver if the cooperation waiver was rejected.

Hardship means only a minor violation of your obligations to pay and cooperate throughout the repayment period.

Your request may

• Result in a hardship waiver:
  • You will be forgiven the (remaining) debt of your BAföG loan.
• lead to a rejection:
  • You must repay the remaining debt in the amount of your BAföG loan, including outstanding costs and interest.

You can submit your application informally

• by telephone,
• in writing and
• online

at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

• none

• Forms: no
• Online procedure possible: yes
• Written form required: no
• personal appearance: no

You can submit an application if

• You have been denied a cooperation waiver by the Federal Administrative Office (BVA).

Requirements for the hardship waiver:

• Within the repayment period
  • address investigation costs have been levied against you no more than 1 time;
    • this happens if you have not notified the change of your name or the changes of your residential address and the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) had to determine them
  • no final fine has ever been imposed on you;
    • Fines are levied if you have not reported changes in the relevant family and income circumstances during an exemption or deferral period
  • you have settled all payment obligations, including claims for costs and interest;
    • you have accrued interest on arrears for no more than a total of 150 days.

Note
Interest is charged whenever you are more than 45 days in arrears on a payment.

You can send the request informally

• by telephone
• in writing and
• online

at the Federal Office of Administration (BVA).

• If you submit your application by telephone:
  • Call one of the BVA phone numbers provided.
  • Make the request.
• If you make your application in writing:
  • Send the informal, as well as signed application - stating your reference number - by mail to the BVA.
• If you submit your application online:
  • Open the BAföG online portal of the BVA and register there.
  • After registration, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. Follow the steps in the email to complete the registration.
  • Log in to the BAföG-Online portal.
  • Click on "Application Forms" and select the "Hardship Waiver" form by clicking on the "Submit Application" button.
  • Fill out the form and press the button "Send".
• You will receive the decision on your application by mail from the BVA.
• If your application is approved, you will be debt-free and will not have to repay the loan.
• If your application is denied, you will have to repay the remaining loan debt, including any outstanding costs and interest, in one lump sum.

Application: within 1 month after rejection of the cooperation decree.

• Application processing time: 3 months

• none