Yes. **The main pitfalls are means-tested student aid, mortgage liability, and difficulty exiting a family ownership arrangement.** The details depend on where the property is, your tax residence, and the particular scholarship or grant.

Here’s what to check:

- **Student aid:** Some schemes assess your assets, others your income. For example, Germany’s BAföG includes real estate in its asset assessment, deducts qualifying debts, and generally allows €15,000 in assets for applicants under 30, with possible hardship exemptions. A substantial property share could therefore affect eligibility. England’s student-finance assessment includes rental income. [German asset rules](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__27.html), [debt deductions](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__28.html), [allowances](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/baf_g/__29.html), [English income rules](https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance/household-income).

- **Taxes:** Check purchase or transfer taxes, annual property taxes, any wealth tax, tax on rent, and tax on a future sale. If parents give you a share or fund your purchase, check gift-tax rules too. Which taxes apply—and any exemptions—depends on the jurisdiction and whether you live there.

- **Mortgage liability:** Your ownership percentage and your borrowing obligations are separate questions. A joint mortgage may make you liable for the **whole outstanding debt** if relatives stop paying. It can also affect future borrowing. This is how joint borrowing generally works in the UK; check the proposed contract locally. [MoneyHelper](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit/taking-out-a-joint-debt-or-loan-what-you-need-to-know).

- **Co-ownership and access to money:** You could own a valuable share while having little cash for study costs. Agree in writing who pays repairs, who can occupy or rent the house, and how someone can leave. Include a valuation and buyout process, plus arrangements for death or missed payments.

- **Future home purchases:** Check whether owning this share affects first-time-buyer benefits or additional-property taxes when you later buy your own home.

The €500,000 headline value is only part of the picture. A 20% share is nominally €100,000 before considering debt and the valuation rules used by the relevant scheme.

Before accepting or buying a share, get the student-aid office to assess the proposed arrangement and have a local lawyer or notary document the co-ownership terms.

**Which country are you studying and tax-resident in, where is the house, and would you live there or rent it out?**