Anyone who receives a student grant knows that this helpful financial boost comes with a few rules and requirements. Many people worry that they'll be required to repay the grant. But don't worry! That only happens under certain conditions. We have summarized all the key facts and figures about student grants and repayment so you are prepared for any eventuality.
In which cases do I have to repay the student grant? What happens with the student grand and repayment if I drop out? Can I receive a student grant and still apply to switch programs? We've got all the answers for you!
Student Aid: Repayment for providing incorrect information
To apply for student aid, you must fill out a form. In it, you will be asked to provide invormation about your academic credentials, your course of study, your income, and your parents' financial situation, among other things. If you provide incomplete or incorrect information, in the worst-case scenario, your student aid may be revoked and you may be required to repay the funds.
Therefore, you should always provide truthful information and risk a rejection of your application rather than having to repay the funds later. In addition, there is also family allowance for students and various other ways to earn extra money, for example a student job.
Student Aid: Repayment for insufficient academic performance
If you receive a student grant, you are expected to meet certain academic requirements. To continue receiving the grant after the first two semesters and avoid having to repay it, you must demonstrate the following academic performance after one year of studying:
- 30 ECTS credits in a bachelor's or diploma program (as of 2026)
- 20 ECTS credits in a master's program (as of 2026)
- 12 ECTS credits in a doctoral or PhD program (as of 2026)
If you cannot provide the proof of academic performance required for the student grant, you must repay the grant. You always have until December 15 or May 15 of the third semester to submit the proof.
Student Aid: Repayment when changing majors
You may be required to repay your student aid if you change your major. However, this is not always the case! As a general rule, you have two opportunities to change your major, but no later than after two semesters. If you have earned the required ECTS credits (see above) during this time, you don't have to repay your student aid. However, your entitlement to a student grant will still expire, since you are no longer continuing the program you listed as your primary program in your application. If you submit a new application for your new program, you can receive a student grant again.
However, this rule only applies to bachelor's and diploma programs. If you are already enrolled in a master's or doctoral program and plan to switch, you may no longer be eligible for a student grant. You can obtain further information on this from your local grant office.
Important! If you change your place of study or the curriculum of your program changes, this is not a change of program in the strict sense, but you must still inform the scholarship office. The reason for this is that you could otherwise lose your student grant due to providing false information, even though you are still entitled to it.
Student Aid: Repayment when dropping out
Have you realized that college isn't for you and now want to take a different path? But you are receiving a student grant and aren't sure if you'll have to pay it back because you're dropping out? Then we can put your mind at ease. The rules for repaying a student grant when you drop out are the same as when you switch majors. If you met the required academic standards (see above) during the semesters in which you received the student aid, you do not need to worry about having to repay it. However, it is important that you inform the financial aid office about your withdrawal. Otherwise, you may continue to receive the aid and still end up having to repay it.
You can find more information on ECTS, deadlines, and documentation here!
Student Aid: Repayment if income is too high
Just because you receive student aid doesn't mean you can't work part-time. Quite the contrary! Student aid for working students is no longer a rarity. After all, more and more students want to gain practical experience while studying or supplement their income.
As long as you don't exceed certain income limits, you don't have to worry about repaying. The limit is 17.212€ per calendar year (as of 2025). This income limit is adjusted annually for inflation. But be careful: if you inadvertently exceed the 17.212€ limit, you will be required to repay the student aid.
Affordable student living
The student aid is definitely a welcome financial boost. But there are also many other ways for students to manage their daily student life on a budget. Whether it's with budget-friendly recipes or student discounts on all kinds of events and activities.
PS: as a student, you can also save a lot of money on housing. At our Home4students student dorms in Vienna, Graz, and other cities, you'll find modern student rooms at fair prices.