Education in Germany
Public universities in Germany are funded by the federal states and do not charge tuition fees. However, all enrolled students do have to pay a semester fee ("Semesterbeitrag"). This fee consists of an administrative fee for the university (only in some of the states), a fee for "Studentenwerk", which is a statutory student affairs organization, a fee for the university's AStA ("Allgemeiner Studentenausschuss", students' government) and "Studentenschaft" (students' union), at many universities a fee for public transportation, and possibly more fees as decided by the university's students' parliament (e.g., for a cooperation with a local theater granting free entry for students). Summed up, the semester fee usually ranges between €150 and €350.
Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz
The Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (mostly known by its abbreviation BAföG) is Germany's Federal Training Assistance Act for students at secondary schools and universities in Germany. Since its introduction in 1971, it has regulated federal student grants and loans. Students who receive loans and grants under this law refer to it by saying they "receive BAföG". In 2012, 24% of all students in Germany received financial support via "BAföG".