Election benchmark 2:
Financing Education and Social Conditions

From the perspective of the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt, BAföG is a key instrument for ensuring equal access to higher education. It helps ensure that a student’s social circumstances do not prevent them from pursuing a degree. It is crucial that BAföG be adapted to changing realities of life and that its appeal and reach be strengthened. The federal government has a key role to play in this regard.

Many high-achieving students have to work while studying because the BAföG system has failed them. At the federal level, we will advocate for a reform of the BAföG system that ensures more students receive more BAföG. At the state level, we will establish a merit-based, parent-independent state grant program to supplement the federal system. Scholarships for undergraduate and doctoral studies should be awarded solely on the basis of academic aptitude and performance and should be contingent on regular proof of academic achievement.

BAföG is the key element in ensuring access to higher education regardless of one’s social circumstances. Unfortunately, it does not function as it should, primarily due to a take-up rate that is far too low and the lack of BAföG reform at the federal level. We advocate for a parent-independent BAföG in the form of a full grant that reflects the actual cost of living and is adjusted annually by at least the rate of inflation. We also want to reduce processing times. To this end, we must examine the extent to which funding for processing needs to be adjusted.

The introduction of the BAföG by the SPD-led federal government 55 years ago was a milestone in promoting greater participation and educational equity. Access to higher education must not depend on parents’ financial means—we stand fully behind this principle. Needs-based financial aid for education therefore remains an indispensable foundation for ensuring that children from lower-income families also have the opportunity to successfully complete a college degree.
We therefore strongly advocate for the swift implementation of the comprehensive BAföG reform agreed upon in the federal coalition agreement. We need a needs-based increase in BAföG rates, an expansion of the pool of eligible recipients, and simplified application procedures.

For the FDP, the BAföG is a central pillar of the promise of social mobility. We want to eventually transform the BAföG nationwide into a form of financial aid that is independent of parental income and free of red tape, in order to make it easier to finance a college education. At the federal level, the FDP already advocated for increases in funding and an expansion of eligibility during the last legislative term.

The Greens are continuously advocating for a reform of the BAföG. Among other things, we want to ensure that the BAföG base amount is raised to the level of basic income support. In addition, we Greens are calling for housing costs to be dynamically adjusted to regional rent levels in accordance with the tiers set out in the Housing Allowance Regulation.
We are also fighting for the introduction of a flat-rate education allowance of 100 euros for textbooks, digital devices, and other educational materials. We want more students to have access to BAföG, which is why we want to raise the income allowances for parents, partners, etc., by 10 percent. In the long term, we want to make BAföG independent of parental income.

In light of rising living, energy, and food costs, it is important to keep an eye on the overall financial burden on students. In addition to federal policy instruments, the CDU sees reliable framework conditions, targeted relief measures, and the strengthening of existing support structures as key approaches to easing the burden on students.

Put an end to climate hysteria, stop all sanctions against Russia, return to nuclear power, and adopt policies that make energy as affordable as possible. Furthermore: Reform the Bafög system with higher benefits and an increase in the income exemption thresholds for parents. Supplement this with state scholarships.

We want BAföG to be available to all students. In addition, we call for the elimination of tuition fees for second degrees and full coverage of the costs of teaching and learning materials. Students should not have to pay for books or equipment as well.

We advocate for a reduction—and, if possible, the elimination—of the value-added tax on basic foodstuffs. This would lead to an effective reduction in the cost of living not only for students but for the broader population as well. In addition, we urge that the reduction in the electricity tax agreed upon in the federal coalition agreement finally be implemented.

We want to work through the Federal Council to combat the rising cost of living in our country. In doing so, however, we are focusing on tax relief rather than price controls. We want to eliminate the sales tax on essential goods (e.g., food) as well as double and multiple taxation in the energy sector, and we will prevent the introduction of new special taxes such as the sugar tax.

In addition to the above-mentioned demands for reforming the BAföG, we Greens want to ensure that student internships—whether required as part of the degree program or voluntary—are paid. We are advocating for the introduction of the TV-Stud in Saxony-Anhalt. We also want to lower the price of the Deutschlandsemesterticket to 19 euros per month. Further details on this can be found below.

Affordable prices in student dining halls and cafeterias are an important part of a good learning environment. The student services organizations play a key role in this regard. The goal is to ensure their financial stability and give them the necessary flexibility so that they can continue to provide affordable options for students in the future.

Energy policy is fundamental to the general price level and, consequently, to prices in student dining halls and cafeterias. Expensive energy drives up the cost of all consumer goods. That is why we must strive to make energy as affordable as possible. That is the AfD’s stated goal. Consequently, meals in student dining halls must be subsidized, because it is not possible to offer students nutritious, tasty, and healthy meals at cost.

We want funding for the student services organizations to be increased so that it reaches a level commensurate with needs. This budget must be adjusted for inflation. This naturally includes covering wage increases resulting from collective bargaining agreements. The state must provide additional support for the construction of new student dining facilities and the renovation of existing ones. In crisis situations, such as after the fire at the Harz cafeteria in Halle, the state must be able to provide assistance quickly.

We will maintain the corresponding subsidies to the student services organizations at a stable level in the state budget and adjust them in line with price trends.

See the answer to question b)
(The FDP answered the related questions.)

During the state budget negotiations, we will advocate for the student services organizations to receive adequate funding from the state, which will enable them to offer socially acceptable prices in student dining halls and cafeterias.