Upgrading BAföG; applying for an upgrading grant

Purpose

The Upgrading Assistance Act (Aufstiegs-BAföG) under the Upgrading Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz - AFBG for short) is a legally regulated cash benefit that provides financial support to help people gain qualifications. The aim of the AFBG is to expand and develop higher vocational qualifications. The financial support strengthens the motivation for further training and improves career advancement opportunities.

Object

Funding is available for full-time and part-time further training courses offered by public and private providers that specifically prepare for public examinations under the Vocational Training Act, the Crafts Code or equivalent qualifications under federal or state law. Participation in full-time measures is generally funded for up to 24 calendar months and part-time measures for up to 48 calendar months (maximum funding period).

Under the AFBG, funding is provided for participation in further training measures offered by public or private providers that are specifically geared towards further training qualifications under public law on the basis of Sections 53 to 53d and 54 of the Vocational Training Act or Sections 42 to 42d, 42f, 45, 51a of the Crafts Code, e.g. Certified Professional Specialist, Bachelor Professional, Master Professional. Bankfachwirt(in), Industrie- oder Handwerksmeister(in), Techniker(in), or prepare for an equivalent qualification in accordance with federal or state regulations, for further training in accordance with the further training guidelines of the German Hospital Association or for further training on the basis of state-approved examination regulations at recognized supplementary schools.

In addition, funding is subject to certain time and quality requirements:

• The measure must comprise at least 400 teaching hours (minimum duration).
• In the case of full-time measures, there must generally be at least 25 teaching hours per week on 4 working days (full-time training density). Full-time training courses may not last longer than three years in total (maximum full-time time frame).
• In the case of part-time measures, the courses must comprise an average of at least 18 teaching hours per month (part-time training density). Part-time measures may not last longer than four years in total (maximum part-time time frame).
• Notwithstanding this, measures that prepare for further training qualifications for examinations regulated by public law on the basis of Section 53b of the Vocational Training Act or Section 42b of the Crafts Code and for equivalent further training qualifications are eligible for funding in part-time form if they comprise at least 200 teaching hours and are completed within 36 calendar months.
• Distance learning courses can be funded as part-time measures if they fulfill the general funding requirements of the AFBG and also meet the requirements of the Distance Learning Protection Act.
• Under certain conditions, funding is also available for measures which are partly carried out using media-based communication and which are not subject to approval as distance learning in accordance with Section 12 of the Distance Learning Protection Act (Section 4a AFBG) if they are supplemented by face-to-face teaching and regular performance assessments are carried out.

Recipients of grants

Participants in full-time or part-time vocational training are generally eligible to apply.

Eligible costs, type and amount

A contribution is made towards the costs of the course (measure contribution) and a contribution to cover maintenance requirements (maintenance contribution). The measure contribution includes course and examination fees (excluding material costs) up to EUR 15,000. Funding of 50% of the contribution to the measure is provided as a grant. The maintenance contribution is funded 100% as a grant.

Participants in full-time measures receive an income- and asset-dependent maintenance contribution plus, for single parents, 150 euros per child up to the age of 14 as a grant, plus a bank loan.

Eligible group of persons:

• The desired vocational qualification must be above the level of a skilled worker, journeyman or assistant examination or a vocational college qualification. Therefore, a completed initial training is often a prerequisite for admission to the advanced training examination. Funding is not necessarily only available for the first advanced training course, but for all advanced training courses. Anyone who has already completed self-financed advanced training does not lose their entitlement to funding as a result.
• If a further training objective has already been funded under the AFBG, the preparation for a further further training objective is funded within the meaning of the AFBG if the further training objective pursued builds on the further training objective already achieved. This is particularly the case if a further training objective at the next further training level within the meaning of Section 53a of the Vocational Training Act or Section 42a of the Crafts Code is being pursued. Funding can be provided once at all three levels in succession if the further training objective being pursued builds on the training objective already achieved. This is particularly the case if a further training objective is aimed for at the next further training level (i.e. sequence DQR 5 - DQR 6 - DQR 7, but not first DQR 7 and then DQR 6).

Only courses offered by certified providers with a corresponding quality assurance system are eligible for funding.

The application must be submitted in writing or electronically (see "Online procedure") to the responsible Office for Educational Support.

If the applicant has not yet submitted all the necessary documents for the decision on the application, the Office for Educational Support will contact the applicant and ask for the missing documents to be submitted.

Other authorities are generally not involved.

The contribution to the measure must be applied for by the end of the measure or section of the measure at the latest.

The maintenance contribution is paid from the beginning of the month in which the lessons actually start, but at the earliest from the beginning of the month of application.

• The number and type of documents required depends on the personal circumstances and the type of training
  

  For example, the following documents may be required:

  • Information on income and assets
  • Declaration of the spouse/registered partner
  • Supplementary sheet for foreign nationals
  • Certificate of attendance at a training center / participation in a distance learning course / media-supported course
  • Proof of regular course attendance from an educational institution
  • Form for proof of the actual material costs incurred for the master craftsman examination project / practical work
  • Confirmation of the admission requirements