Funding Options How to Finance Your Continuing Education

The federal government has established a scholarship specifically for professionally qualified individuals without a high school diploma who wish to further their education through a college degree. It’s called the “Aufstiegsstipendium” and is aimed at particularly talented prospective students (or current students) with professional experience. The requirements for applying include completion of vocational training or advanced vocational training, at least two years of professional experience prior to the start of studies, and proof of exceptional academic achievement. These include:

• very good final grades (at least 1.9 or 87 points) or
• particularly successful participation in a nationwide vocational skills competition, or
• a substantiated recommendation from the employer

Those already enrolled in a program must not have completed their second academic semester yet. There is no age limit. For full-time study, the grant amounts to 853 euros per month, plus 80 euros for books. A flat-rate childcare allowance is provided for children under the age of ten. Scholarship recipients in part-time degree programs receive 2,700 euros annually.

More information is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Particularly talented apprentices have the opportunity to receive a continuing education scholarship. To apply, they must submit an application to the chamber responsible for their apprenticeship. However, the eligibility criteria here are also quite strict:

An above-average completion of an apprenticeship in a recognized dual vocational training program. This means:

• Final exam with at least 87 points (1.9 grade point average) or a top-three finish in a national vocational skills competition, or a substantiated recommendation from the employer or vocational school based on specific examples
• Under 25 years of age. Exception: Verifiable voluntary service and/or maternity and parental leave. In such cases, the maximum age is raised to 28 years
• Not a full-time student or a college graduate

Funding is granted for a maximum of three years. A total of up to 8,100 euros is paid out. Ten percent of the costs per program must be covered by the recipient. Eligible programs include advanced training courses that are typically completed while working. These include:

• Subject-specific vocational qualifications,
• preparatory courses for advanced vocational training exams (Master Craftsman/woman, Technician, Business Administrator, Specialist),
• interdisciplinary skills such as foreign languages, computer skills, and public speaking

Under certain circumstances, part-time degree programs may also be eligible for funding. However, these programs must not be full-time, must not have already begun, and must build upon the applicant’s vocational training.

More Information on the Continuing Education Grant

The so-called “bonus voucher” is a state funding program for qualification programs. There is no limit on the cost of continuing education. The state covers 50 percent of the fees—but only up to a maximum contribution of 500 euros. Excluded from this rule are continuing education programs taking place in Brandenburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, or Schleswig-Holstein. These may not cost more than 1,000 euros. For the premium subsidy, the location where the program takes place is decisive, not the participant’s place of residence.

The following requirements must be met:

• Employment of at least 15 hours per week
• Annual taxable income does not exceed 20,000 euros (40,000 euros for jointly assessed taxpayers)

To receive a premium voucher, you must visit a designated counseling center (make an appointment in advance). You must present the following at the appointment: valid photo ID, proof of employment, and an income tax assessment notice or a recent pay stub.

The subsidized continuing education program must begin within six months of the voucher’s issuance. A subsidy voucher may be applied for every two calendar years, provided the aforementioned requirements continue to be met.

More Information on the Education Bonus

The Federal Training Assistance Act —BAföG for short—enables students and apprentices from financially disadvantaged families to participate in continuing education programs. Since this is a government program, there is a legal entitlement to funding provided the relevant requirements are met.

In general, BAföG funding is available for training programs at general and vocational schools, colleges, academies, and universities (including related mandatory internships). Stays abroad may also be funded. Applications for these should be submitted at least six months before the planned stay.

People without a German passport can also receive BAföG. The specific terms depend on the individual’s status (EU citizen, refugee, etc.). Funding is available up to age 30 (based on the start date of the eligible educational program); for master’s degree programs, funding is available up to age 35. Exceptions apply to graduates of adult education programs and to parents with children under the age of ten.

Whether an individual is eligible for BAföG can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. The same applies to the amount of funding. Both depend on the type of education and the individual’s personal and family circumstances.

The following factors are decisive:

• Type of housing
• Housing situation
• Subsidy for health and long-term care insurance
• Parental obligation to provide support
• Location of education/studies

Funding is granted for the standard duration of the program. It may be extended if special circumstances exist, such as pregnancy, raising children, serving on committees, advocacy work, or a disability.

Parent-Independent BAföG

To receive parent-independent BAföG, at least one of the following requirements must be met:

• Obtaining the general university entrance qualification (Abitur) through adult education, e.g., evening high school or preparatory college
• Commencement of training after turning 30 and significant reasons for doing so
• At least five years of gainful employment after turning 18 prior to starting training
• Three years of vocational training leading to a professional qualification, followed by three years of gainful employment
• Orphan; parents’ place of residence unknown, or parents living abroad and legally prevented from making child support payments

Student Financial Aid

Students at universities, colleges, universities of applied sciences, and academies currently receive—provided they are generally eligible—a maximum of 861 euros per month. This is the so-called maximum funding rate. If there are children under the age of ten to care for, there is an additional entitlement to a child care supplement of 150 euros per month as a full grant.

Half of the funding consists of a grant, and the other half of an interest-free government loan. Therefore, 50 percent must be repaid—but never more than 10,000 euros. However, anyone who has made 77 monthly payments is permanently debt-free going forward, regardless of how high their loan originally was. The repayment obligation begins five years after the end of the maximum funding period.

Detailed information, fact sheets, and application forms for BAföG

The Aufstiegs-BAföG establishes an individual legal entitlement to funding for continuing education aimed at career advancement. The form of continuing education is irrelevant. Funding is subject to certain personal, qualitative, and time-related requirements.

Funding is available for all qualification certificates above the level of skilled worker, journeyman, assistant, or vocational school diploma; however, it does not extend beyond the master craftsman level. A minimum of 400 instructional hours must be completed. Eligible programs include, among others, vocational training programs leading to qualifications such as master craftsman, technician, and business administrator.

To apply for funding, applicants must provide proof of having completed and received recognition for their initial vocational training. Full-time and part-time programs are eligible, as are distance learning courses. The grant is awarded regardless of income. For full-time programs, a living allowance may be provided, depending on income and assets.

Course and examination fees are subsidized up to 15,000 euros. However, 50 percent of this amount is a non-repayable grant. The remainder consists of a low-interest loan. Examination fees are subsidized up to half of the necessary costs, but only up to a maximum of 2,000 euros—also in the form of a low-interest loan.

Contributions toward living expenses for full-time programs depend on the applicant’s income and assets. The loan is provided by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). It is interest-free during the training program and for a certain period thereafter—for a total of up to six years. Afterward, it must be repaid within ten years in monthly installments of at least 128 euros. Upon successful completion of the final exam, an application may be submitted to reduce the repayment amount by up to 50 percent. Detailed information:

www.wap.igmetall.de

www.aufstiegs-bafoeg.de

The Hans Böckler Foundation (HBS) is a major foundation affiliated with labor unions. It specifically supports people from financially disadvantaged families, from non-academic backgrounds, and those active in labor unions. With over 2,500 scholarship recipients, it is the second-largest student aid organization in Germany. For IG Metall members, the HBS is an excellent resource when it comes to support for continuing education and professional development.

The following individuals are eligible to apply:

• Students actively involved in labor unions and/or social and political causes
• Committed individuals pursuing adult education
• High school graduates from educationally disadvantaged groups
• Doctoral candidates

More information on the application process and deadlines

The Master Craftsman Bonus is a bonus payment from the Free State of Bavaria. Every successful graduate of a continuing education program leading to certification as a master craftsman, business specialist, business administrator, or business economist receives a bonus of 2,000 euros from the Free State of Bavaria. The prerequisite is that the applicant’s primary residence or place of employment is in Bavaria. Additionally, the exam must have been taken in Bavaria. You do not need to apply separately for the Master Craftsman Bonus. The Würzburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) identifies eligible recipients and pays out the bonus on two fixed dates each year. A number of other federal states offer similar incentives. 

More about the Master Craftsman Bonus