Exciting, varied, and free—that’s a good way to describe student life. But is that really the case when you have to watch every penny? Many students are fighting constant money worries and looking for part-time jobs to supplement their income. And if the government also chips in with a student grant, student life can truly be enjoyed to the fullest.
But be careful! The student grant for working students is not a free ticket to paradise. Rather, it is subject to certain rules and limits. To make sure you don’t face any unpleasant surprises, here’s everything you need to know about the student grant while working.
Work and Student aid: is it okay to have a part-time job?
Students who are unable to cover all costs associated with their studies, either on their own or through their parents,are eligible for a student grant. We’ll explain how to apply for the grant here. However, receiving this government assistance does not prevent you from holding a part-time job while studying.
But be careful: If you receive student aid and work part-time, there is a set income limit to keep in mind. And here’s what you need to know:
- Earning extra income alongside your student aid is perfectly fine as long as you don’t exceed the income limit of €17.212 per calendar year (as of 2025).
- If you are required to pay child support for your own children, the limit can be raised by at least €3.000 per child.
- Only income earned while receiving the grant is taken into account. Salaries earned before or after the study grant, on the other hand, do not affect the amount of additional income. Therefore, it is good to know that the grant is always paid out starting in September for the winter semester and starting in March for the summer semester.
- If the student grant for working students is not received for the entire calendar year, the additional income limit changes. This can be calculated as follows: €17.212 divided by 12 and multiplied by the number of months during which the student grant is received.
- Anyone who exceeds the additional income limit will be required to repay a portion of the grant.
Financial Aid for Former Workers – Self-Supporting Student Grant
Students who have worked for several years prior to beginning their studies and have “supported themselves” through this employment are eligible for a special form of financial aid. After all, they have earned money for a period of time, covered their living expenses, and paid taxes—all without any support from the government. To ensure they do not face financial hardship after leaving the workforce, can cover upcoming costs, and can devote themselves fully to their studies, they receive a higher scholarship to finance their education.
So, anyone who has earned a minimum annual salary of €11.000 for four years or longer can apply for a self-supporting student grant. The grant amount is a maximum of €1.082 per month for students under 27 and a maximum of €1.121 for students 27 and older (as of 2026). Unlike the traditional student grant, parental income no longer plays a role in this type of grant; however, the income of a spouse may be taken into account.
And as with the student grant for working adults, students receiving a self-supporting scholarship may engage in part-time employment—provided they stay within the income limits.
Other ways to finance your studies
If you’re not eligible for the study grant for working students or the self-supporting student grant, don’t worry. After all, there are several other ways to get a little financial boost and save money—such as family allowance for students or a student loan.
And since it’s a fact that housing costs during your student years are likely the biggest drain on your wallet, that’s also where you can save the most money. How? By getting a room in one of our Home4students student dorms. Not only are they fully equipped and ideally located, but they’re also affordable. And best of all: the distance to your best friends couldn’t be any shorter.