Everything you need to know about the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act)

The Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) is intended to enable adolescents and young adults to receive training, even if this cannot be financed by their parents.

German nationals as well as (under certain conditions) citizens of the European Union, migrants and refugees living in Germany can receive Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) as financial support during their studies. They must prove that their family would not be able to pay for their education with their income alone.
Since the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act reform of 2022, students can also receive Federal Education and Training Assistance Act if they have not yet exceeded the age of 45 at the start of the eligible training.

The easiest way to apply is with the nationwide standardised online application "Federal Education and Training Assistance Act-Digital". With the online application, it is sufficient to set up a simple user account and the digital application can be sent directly. The application is then automatically assigned to the correct Federal Education and Training Assistance Act office. A short explanatory film shows how "Federal Education and Training Assistance Act Digital" works.

You can also apply for Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) benefits in writing at the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act office responsible. You can download the necessary forms and explanations here.

Eligible students receive Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) benefits initially for four semesters without any examination of the progress of their studies. From the fifth semester onwards, they must submit proof of achievement certifying that they have completed the usual work up to that point.

The proof of achievement can be provided

• by means of an intermediate examination certificate, if there is an intermediate examination,
• by the legally prescribed Form 5, which is completed by the University of Applied Sciences, or
• by proof of the credit points earned to date, if credit points are awarded according to ECTS.

The law allows students to choose whether to have Form 5 filled out or to prove their credit score by means of a corresponding document.

The Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) does not provide elite support, so you do not have to achieve a particularly good level of performance. Nor do you have to achieve all the credit points stipulated in the study and examination regulations before the end of the respective semester. The usual achievements that lead to the expectation that you will be able to complete your studies in the standard period of study are sufficient.

Since it is up to the University of Applied Sciences to determine whether this is the case, the following credit points have been defined as usual for all Bachelor's degree programmes at the University of Applied Sciences:

• 3rd semester: 60 EC
• 4th semester: 90 EC

If students are able to prove that they have achieved the ECTS sum mentioned at the end of the respective semester, they are considered to have achieved the usual credits up to the end of the semester in question, assuming that the course of study has progressed in an orderly manner. You only need to provide the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) Office with proof of the ECTS credit points achieved. You can obtain this proof from the Student.Service or from the person in charge of your degree programme.

If you have not achieved the corresponding ECTS totals, your financial support will not be withdrawn directly. In these cases, you can provide proof of the usual achievements with form 5. This form is available for download online along with other forms. Fill out the form and bring it to Student.Service or to the administrator of your degree programme - we will help you there. There may also be recognised reasons why you have not achieved the required ECTS points. Contact the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (Federal Education and Training Assistance Act) counselling centre responsible for you.