Student representatives demand a change of course regarding BAföG and call for a rally
Dortmund, June 19, 2026
The AStA of TU Dortmund takes a decisive stance in the ongoing BAföG debate and calls on the federal government to immediately implement the promised increase in the housing costs allowance.
At the same time, the AStA clarifies that this minimal improvement can only be a first step toward improving the precarious living conditions of many students. There is a need for a comprehensive reform that guarantees full, needs-based, parent-independent, and repayment-free student funding for everyone, as well as further measures such as sufficient funding for student services (Studierendenwerke).
To emphasize these demands, the AStA of TU Dortmund is calling for a rally on June 24th at 12:00 PM at Martin-Schmeißer-Platz. Further demonstrations and protests are planned by other student unions (AStAs) in Aachen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Bielefeld, Munich, Dortmund, Siegen, and Bonn.
Fundamentals
Education is a crucial social force through which social progress and insights can be gained through science and teaching. It enables people to think independently and critically, thereby having an emancipatory effect. Beyond the individual, education—just like science and research—is the foundation for a just, free, and peaceful society. However, these opportunities and chances of education can only be realized if students have the material conditions to fully dedicate themselves to their studies, learning, and research. This requires time, security, and an income that enables a life without existential fears.
The Situation at TU Dortmund
The reality looks different: BAföG was originally introduced as an instrument intended to lead to greater equal opportunity. Back then, around 45% of all students received BAföG. Today, it is only about 11% nationwide—and 13.3% (3,928 students) at TU Dortmund. BAföG has thus lost a large part of its original reach. This development is particularly severe in the Ruhr area, which is shaped by structural change and brings an above-average number of students from non-academic and lower-income families to the university.
This development is exacerbated by the housing situation in Dortmund. Many rooms in the student dormitories of the Studierendenwerk are already above the BAföG housing allowance (€380). Anyone who has to look for shared flat (WG) rooms on the free housing market encounters significantly higher rents there. Consequently, more than 80% of students who do not live at home live in poverty (cf. Der Paritätische 2024, p. 3). As a result, more and more students are being forced into employment: the number of people working alongside their studies has been growing for years (cf. IAB 2025). This affects not only the duration of studies but also the quality of studies, academic success, and health.
Against this background, the claim that students live in a “privileged” situation (cf. WAZ 2026) is pure mockery and completely detached from real-life circumstances. It misjudges a double division: while some, particularly children from non-academic families, do not start studying at all due to the structurally deficient student financing, others suffer from the double burden of studying and employment.
Conclusion
The AStA also condemns the line of argument used to cast doubt on the increase. The reference stating that no additional benefits can be promised when cuts are being made elsewhere (people in need of care, parental allowance, etc.) plays different powerless groups off against each other (cf. WAZ 2026).
Under these circumstances, the minimal improvements by the federal government stipulated in the coalition agreement merely represent an overdue adjustment to the reality of students’ lives and cannot even begin to compensate for the decline of recent years. The fact that even this overdue adjustment is now to be stopped again is all the more disastrous. Consequently, the discussion currently being held to stop the reform and increase must be rejected in the strongest possible terms. What is needed is a fundamental BAföG reform instead of poverty for many students.
About the AStA of TU Dortmund
The General Students’ Committee (AStA) is the representative body of the student body of the Technical University of Dortmund elected by the student parliament. It represents the interests of the nearly 29,500 students vis-à-vis the university, politics, and the public, and offers numerous services.
Press Contact
General Students’ Committee (AStA) of TU Dortmund
Represented by: Darius Weitekamp, Chair
Contact person: Pascal von Berg, Department for Higher Education Policy and Teaching
Emil-Figge-Str. 50
44227 Dortmund
hopo@asta.tu-dortmund.de or asta@asta.tu-dortmund.de
Web: asta-dortmund.de
Sources:
Der Paritätische (2024): Armut von Studierenden in Deutschland. Online: https://www.der-paritaetische.de/fileadmin/user_upload/2024_06_05_expertise_ba-foeg_final.pdf
IAB (2025): Generation Z – noch ein Klischee weniger. Online: https://iab-forum.de/generation-z-noch-ein-klischee-weniger/
WAZ (2026): Unis in Deutschland – „Es ist kein Drama, wenn Studierende neben dem Studium jobben“. Online: https://www.waz.de/politik/article412126766/es-ist-kein-drama-wenn-studierende-neben-dem-studium-jobben.html
