BAföG: Impact Evaluation Overdue

BAföG is intended to exploit educational potential and promote equal opportunities. To this end, it has two main control levers: allowances and benefit rates. However, adjustments to both figures have been determined by political debates and budgetary considerations rather than on the basis of scientific evidence on the achievement of objectives. Without a causal impact evaluation, however, neither the effectiveness nor the efficiency of the funding can be determined. In view of the objectives and the scope of the funds used (€3 billion per year), causal evaluations appear more than overdue. This article proposes a solution to this problem with five key points as an impetus for political and scientific discussion.