The Government of Germany provides financial aid to students in the form of loans and grants regardless of their social and economic situation.
This aid is provided under the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (Federal Training Assistance Act) or "BAföG" (German pronunciation: [ˈbaːfœk] ⓘ).
Further, funds can be granted as a low-interest loan for another two years if certain criteria (like reasonable likelihood that the student will graduate during that time) are met.
In some cases, most notably if the student has worked full-time for a number of years before returning to student status, BAföG eligibility is calculated independent of parent income, because parents' obligation to fund their children's education ends once the children enter the workforce full-time.
[clarification needed] In those cases, only student income and assets are consulted for BAföG eligibility and amount calculation.