The Aufstiegs-BAföG, formally the Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz (AFBG), supports vocational upgrading training in Germany. For academics the key question is whether a university degree excludes funding, or whether a bachelor or master can still qualify. The answer depends on which degree is your highest and which training you plan to take.
Short answer: According to the NBank product information, bachelor graduates are eligible if the bachelor is their highest academic qualification. Funding covers the course fee in two halves: 50 percent grant and 50 percent low-interest loan, with course and exam fees funded up to 15,000 euros. The source does not explicitly regulate master graduates. The product information is from 2022, so check the figures before you apply (Last updated: October 2026).
Key points at a glance
- The Aufstiegs-BAföG funds vocational upgrading courses, not a university degree.
- According to NBank, bachelor graduates are eligible if the bachelor is their highest academic qualification.
- For master graduates the product information contains no explicit rule. Ask the responsible office.
- The course contribution is half grant and half loan, independent of income and assets.
- If the application is timely, course contributions can be granted retroactively. Living allowances cannot.
- The product information applies to Lower Saxony and Bremen. Other federal states have their own offices.
Who is the Aufstiegs-BAföG for?
NBank describes the target group as people who want to qualify through vocational upgrading training. The qualification must be regulated by law and end in a state examination. It must sit above the level of a journeyman or apprentice certificate. The course must also have at least 400 teaching hours, and at level 5 of the German Qualifications Framework (DQR) at least 200 hours.
On prior education and work experience, the product information sets no requirements. What counts is whether the training itself meets the criteria above, not how long you have worked.
The exclusion matters: earning a bachelor or master degree is not funded. The Aufstiegs-BAföG is therefore not a way to finance a degree. If you want to complete a degree, look at the BAföG for students, whose basics are explained in BAföG 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Repayment Explained.
What does this mean for academics?
| Situation | According to the product information (NBank) | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor or comparable degree (e.g. Diplom FH) is the highest academic qualification | Eligible | Whether the training meets the requirements for examination and scope |
| Master is the highest academic qualification | Not explicitly regulated | Ask the responsible office before you plan |
| The course itself is a university degree | Not funded | Look for funding through BAföG or a scholarship |
The table shows that the degree alone does not decide, the type of course matters too. A bachelor does not automatically open the way, and a master is not explicitly regulated in the source. Ask before you enrol in a course.
How high is the funding?
According to the NBank product information, the course contribution is covered half as a grant and half as a low-interest loan. Funding does not depend on income or assets. Course and exam fees are funded up to 15,000 euros. For the master craftsman’s piece or an exam project, up to half of the necessary material costs can be added, at most 2,000 euros.
For your own calculation, enter the course fees, subtract the grant half and plan monthly loan repayments of at least 128 euros once the grace period ends. This rests on your own assumptions about costs and is not a funding decision.
The loan follows the law. Under § 13 AFBG, KfW concludes the loan contract, payment is usually made in one amount of up to 4,000 euros, and no interest or repayment is due during the course and a two-year grace period. Afterwards the loan is repaid in monthly instalments of at least 128 euros as a rule. These rules come from the law, not from the product information.
The living allowance for full-time courses depends on marital status and children. The amounts in the product information date from 2022. For this reason this guide gives no figures and refers to the responsible office.
When and how to apply
- Contact the responsible office, in Lower Saxony and Bremen the NBank, ideally about two months before the course starts.
- Submit the application no later than the last teaching day of the course or course section.
- Expect course contributions to be granted retroactively if the application is on time.
- Plan the living allowance separately, because it is not granted retroactively and is paid at the earliest from the month of application.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the Aufstiegs-BAföG with a bachelor?
Yes. According to the NBank product information, bachelor graduates are eligible if the bachelor or a comparable degree is the highest academic qualification. The responsible office checks in each case whether the specific training meets the other requirements.
Is a master eligible?
The product information does not regulate the master explicitly. It names only the bachelor or comparable degrees as the highest academic qualification. Ask the responsible office before you spend time and money on a course.
Does the Aufstiegs-BAföG work the same everywhere?
The AFBG is federal law, but implementation lies with the states and their offices. The NBank product information applies to Lower Saxony and Bremen and requires a first residence in one of these states. Other states apply the information of their own offices, so check them separately.
Do I have to repay the loan?
Yes. The loan part carries low interest and is repaid under the law. Under § 13 AFBG the repayment is made in monthly instalments, as a rule at least 128 euros, within ten years after the grace period. The grant half of the course contribution does not have to be repaid.
Does the Aufstiegs-BAföG help with a master’s degree?
No. It does not fund university degree programmes, and it explicitly excludes funding for obtaining a bachelor or master degree. For a degree, BAföG, scholarships or other funding are possible. The overview Studying Without BAföG: Your Funding Options shows further routes.
What to do now
- Check whether your training meets the requirements: state examination, a level above journeyman certificate and sufficient scope.
- Clarify with the responsible office whether your highest qualification counts as a bachelor or whether a master applies.
- Apply on time, ideally about two months before the course starts.
- Plan the repayment of the loan before you sign the contract.
Related guides
- BAföG 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Repayment Explained
- Studying Without BAföG: Your Funding Options
- BAföG Repayment: Start, Instalments, Exemption and Partial Write-off
- PhD funding options (in German)
- Funding Study Abroad: BAföG, Erasmus and Scholarships
Sources: Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz (AFBG), § 13 (accessed October 2026); NBank, product information on Aufstiegs-BAföG (status 18 October 2022); Aufstiegs-BAföG, federal homepage (accessed October 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
