Koempy, I received BAföG until 2004 (the last 2 semesters of which were final study loans also from the BAföG office, due to my disability the BAföG was paid to me for a longer period). And back then there was no cap yet. But I still don’t have a notice because I would first have to repay the final loan. And I have been deferring that for over 10 years now, since my income is 139 euros net (pension). Therefore, I do not know the exact amount, but it was 5 years at the maximum rate, so I estimate 30,000 euros just for the BAföG = 60 months times 500 euros).
Yes, I wanted to do a PhD, from the last year of my studies I mostly applied for doctoral positions, also nationwide. If you are willing to move anywhere, you don’t need a car. But there were either only rejections or no response at all. Years later I learned that advertised doctoral positions are already filled when they are posted, since there are no longer any state positions and third-party funded positions are created for specific individuals but still have to be advertised...
@Bieber
A number of job agents looked at my applications, but no one could explain what was wrong or bad about them. I can’t afford professionals who would cost money. But what could they change anyway, missing work references cannot be conjured up and there are gaps, they are probably already too big by now. Honestly, I don’t think I can be helped anymore. Except with a job. But that can’t be conjured either. Still, I keep applying foolishly now and then, most recently at a temp agency, minimum wage (net about 850 euros full-time), assembly line work (deburring aquarium lids). The company had nothing to complain about my application, the woman even said she didn’t understand why no one had hired me yet. Then she never got back to me.