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Upgrading BAföG; applying for an upgrading grant

Participants in vocational upgrading training measures, e.g. to become a master craftsman, technician, business administrator or educator, can apply for upgrading BAföG (also known as Meister-BAföG).

Online services & Forms

Online services

  • AFBG Digital

    You can use the "AFBG Digital" application assistant to apply online for funding for your continuing vocational training. The electronic application is made using the BundID. The application assistant supports you with every single step. You can upload the necessary documents directly using the upload function. It is also possible to temporarily save the application in order to upload a truly complete application. You can then check the completeness of your details before submitting and sending the application. This allows you to personally ensure that all the necessary data and documents arrive securely and that your application can be processed as quickly as possible.

  • AFBG Digital Companion App

    You can also use the "AFBG Digital Companion App" to apply for funding for your professional training online. You can add required documents to your application or submit them at a later date. You can also keep an eye on the processing status of your application at all times.

  • Antragsformulare für die Aufstiegsförderung gemäß AFBG

Responsible for you

Landratsamt Miltenberg

Landratsamt Miltenberg

Street address

Brückenstr. 2
63897 Miltenberg

Postal address

Postfach 1560

63885 Miltenberg

Mehr zur Behörde

Procedure details

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.

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 within the meaning of the AFBG is funded 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 granted 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.

  • Number and type of documents required depends on personal circumstances and type of training

    For example, the following documents may be required:

    • Information on income and assets
    • Declaration of the spouse/registered partner
    • Additional sheet for foreigners
    • Certificate of attendance of a further education institution / participation in a distance learning course / media-supported course
    • Proof of regular course attendance from an educational institution
    • Form to prove the actual material costs incurred for the master craftsman's examination project / practical work
    • Confirmation of the admission requirements

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.

There are no fees for the application.

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 processing time or the total processing time between the application being submitted and the approval notice being issued can be expected to be around 6 to 8 weeks.

Choice between filing an objection and bringing an action directly
  • Appeal procedure (optional); lodging an appeal

    If the objection has no suspensive effect, an application for suspension of enforcement can be made to the original authority or the objection authority in accordance with Section 80 (4) VwGO. Instead, an application for an order or restoration of the suspensive effect of the objection can be made to the competent Bavarian Administrative Court in accordance with Section 80 (5) VwGO.

    Please note: If it concerns the demand for public charges and costs (§ 80 Para. 2 Sentence 1 No. 1 VwGO), an application to the court is generally only admissible if the authority has previously rejected an application for suspension of enforcement (§ 80 Para. 6 VwGO).

  • Aufstiegs-BAföG
    Alle Infos auf einen Blick - Informationen zur Förderung, dem Weg zur Förderung, Beispiele für die Förderung, Informationsmaterialien, Aufstieg-Blog, AFBG in sozialen Berufen
  • Weiterbildung: Förderung und Stipendien
    Informationen zu den verschiedenen Programmen des Freistaates Bayern und des Bundes, die Berufstätige, die sich weiter qualifizieren möchten, unterstützen

Status: 16.06.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst
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