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).
- This does not apply to measures,
- The part-time measures are eligible for funding if they include 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
- measures which are partly carried out using electronic media and which are not subject to approval as distance learning under the Distance Learning Protection Act (§ 4a AFBG) if they are supplemented by physical and virtual face-to-face teaching or comparable and binding media-based communication and regular performance reviews are carried out.
Recipients of funding
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.
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