Proof of Academic Performance: Why Do I Need It?

Why do I need proof of academic performance in college?

A student needs proof of academic performance, for example, when they receive BAföG (Germany's federal student aid) and have to show that they have actually earned the required number of credit points that they need in order to remain eligible for BAföG. In the past, providing proof of performance was mandatory as early as the third semester. That rule no longer exists. Now, BAföG recipients only have to provide proof of performance after the fourth semester. That gives the student considerably more room to adjust to the conditions at the university and, if necessary, to retake exams from the first semesters that they missed or failed.

Proof of performance for a student loan? The KfW student loan also requires proof of performance, but only once. Anyone financing a first or second degree has to provide it by the end of the 6th funding semester at the latest; a funding semester always ends on 31 March or 30 September. The form can be found in KfW's online loan portal under "Nachweise/Leistungsnachweis". Alternatively, KfW also accepts proof that a previously funded degree has been completed. If the proof is not submitted on time, KfW stops all further payouts from the 7th funding semester. Students should therefore plan their exams early enough to meet the requirements by then. What exactly is required is stated in KfW's current information sheet on the student loan (the details given here are as of 06/2024).

What kinds of proof of performance can I provide? There is little room to maneuver with proof of performance, because it is a fixed criterion for both BAföG and KfW. For BAföG it is required after the fourth semester; for KfW, once, by the end of the 6th funding semester. If the proof is missing by the deadline, KfW stops further payouts.