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Apply for the Career Advancement Grant (Aufstiegs-BAföG)

  • Service description

    Through the ‘Aufstiegs-BAföG’ under the Upgrading Training Support Act (AFBG), the federal and state governments provide financial support for participation in vocational upgrading training programmes by contributing towards the costs of the programme and living expenses. You are entitled to this support if you meet the legal requirements.

    The funding comprises government grants that do not need to be repaid. In addition, you will have the opportunity to obtain a low-interest loan from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). This loan can be used to cover the difference between the government grants and the maximum funding amount.

    The Aufstiegs-BAföG provides financial support, regardless of income, to:

    • the course fees,
    • the examination fees and
    • the cost of materials for a master’s examination project.

    In the case of full-time programmes, a means-tested living allowance is also provided.

    You can claim the grant up to three times, subject to certain conditions.

  • Procedure

    The relevant office will advise you and provide information on the funding opportunities available under the Aufstiegs-BAföG scheme. You can find the relevant office using the postcode search.

    • You should submit your application for financial assistance in writing or electronically to the relevant authority.
    • Once the complete application documents have been received, the relevant authority will decide on the amount of funding, and you will receive a notification of the state grants awarded.
    • You will then receive a contract offer from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) regarding the potential supplementary loan.
    • If, for example, you fall ill during the training course, you must notify both the training provider and the relevant authority.
  • Who should I contact?

    Please contact the Office for Training Support in your district or independent city.

  • Prerequisites

    You are entitled to the benefit if, amongst other things:

    • you are preparing for an eligible training objective,
    • the preparatory course comprises a specific minimum duration and a specific number of teaching hours per week or per month,
    • the measure does not exceed a maximum time limit,
    • the provider of the training is accredited or has another quality assurance system in place, and
    • You meet the personal eligibility criteria.

    Further information on the entry requirements can be found at www.aufstiegs-bafög.de.

  • Which documents are required?

    You can find out which documents are required in your case by referring to the application forms.

  • What fees are incurred?

    none

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    The grant must be applied for by the end of the project at the latest; where the project consists of several independent phases, the application must be submitted by the end of the respective phase.

  • Processing time

    The processing time depends on whether the complete application documents have been submitted.

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    • Decision: Appeal; administrative court proceedings
    • Loan agreement: civil action
  • Applications / Forms

    • The forms required to apply for Aufstiegs-BAföG are available to download as fillable files at https://www.aufstiegs-bafoeg.de/de/antragsformulare-1702.html.
    • You can also obtain the application forms from the relevant authorities.
    • Online procedure possible: yes
    • Written form required: yes
    • Personal appearance required: no
  • Author

    Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

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