AI-generated summary
Die Bafög-Reform wurde lange versprochen, galt aber zeitweise als gescheitert. Jetzt wird sie doch umgesetzt. Dennoch berichten viele Studierende von finanziellen Engpässen. Die Armutsschwelle in Deutschland liegt bei 1.446 Euro monatlich verfügbaren Einkommen.
Eine Bafög-Reform wurde lange versprochen, dann zum Scheitern verurteilt, jetzt kommt sie doch. Trotzdem sind viele Studierende finanziell am Limit. Das zeigt auch die neue Studie »Arm im Studium – Einkommen, Wohnkosten und Bedarfssätze im Realitätscheck«. Ihre Co-Autorin Greta Schabram, 38, ist Referentin für Armut, Sozialforschung und Wohnungspolitik beim Paritätischen Gesamtverband. »Wir sehen in Deutschland eine dramatische Entwicklung«, sagt sie. Und ärgert sich über wirklichkeitsfremde Entscheidungen der Politik.
ZEIT Campus: Frau Schabram, wer in Deutschland weniger als 1.446 Euro im Monat zur Verfügung hat, gilt als arm. Wie viele Studierende liegen unter dieser Armutsschwelle?
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Die Bafög-Reform wird in den kommenden Monaten schrittweise umgesetzt und erste Auszahlungen an Studierende erfolgen.
Very likely · Within months
Die Debatte über Studierendenarmut und die Adequacy der Bafög-Sätze wird in der öffentlichen und politischen Diskussion weitergehen.
Likely · Within months
Nearly 900 secondary schools in France were partially or completely closed due to protests that turned violent. At least 215 students, 80 teachers and over 700 police officers were injured. The trigger was a strike by teachers in Créteil due to a lack of staff, which was later joined by students.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $70,000 initial application fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) that colleges would have to pay for international students. STEM extensions will be charged $30,000 each. The ministry justifies the move with abuse of the program, while Nafsa warns of damage to innovation and the economy.
Cornell University has hired former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Sally Yates to examine the elite university's handling of an alleged gang rape of a student in 2024. The investigation follows days of protests and a civil lawsuit from the alleged victim. Criminal investigations are being led by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

In Paris, pupils, students, teachers and parents are demonstrating against teacher job cuts and demanding more money for the school system, especially in socially disadvantaged areas such as Seine-Saint-Denis, criticizing the exaggerated media coverage of violence and demanding educational solutions from the government.

Cornell University has hired former U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates to conduct a detailed review of its response to a former student's rape allegation. The allegation dates from October 2024 and involves several men from a student association. After initially no criminal consequences followed, the case is now being investigated by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The university emphasizes the need for self-critical examination and a pioneering role in preventing sexual violence.
On Tuesday, hundreds of thousands of people took part in nationwide student protests in France, sparked by demands for smaller classes and more teachers. Unions said there were 450,000 protesters, including 100,000 in Paris, while the Interior Ministry gave significantly lower figures of 256,000 nationwide and 56,000 in the capital. There were blockades and lesson cancellations at numerous schools. Violent clashes broke out between demonstrators and security forces in several cities, with tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets being used. Police supervision is investigating ten incidents involving young people, some seriously injured, including a 15-year-old whose hand was torn off in a police grenade explosion. A police officer in Metz was also arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 14-year-old. In some places, parents supported the protests with human chains. Since the protests began in September, over a thousand people have been injured, including 215 students and 700 security guards, and around 6,000 arrests have been made, mostly minors. Students are demanding better learning conditions, more teachers, smaller classes and shorter school days. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced discussion groups at high schools. A survey shows that 78 percent of 18 to 28 year olds believe the government is poorly preparing their future.