Lifelong Learning: Financing and funding opportunities

1. Tax deduction for continuing education

2. State funding (federal government)

• Continuing education scholarship

  The further education scholarship offers funding of up to 8,100 euros within a maximum of three years. The scholarship holders can use the funds to cover the costs of further education or part-time studies. The personal contribution for each funding measure is 10 percent. In the first year of funding, an IT bonus of 250 euros for the purchase of a computer can be applied together with the first training measure. Further information on the continuing education scholarship is available here.

• Upgrading student loans

  Information at www.aufstiegs-bafoeg.de.

• Education Voucher

  With the education voucher, the Federal Employment Agency promotes the professional development of the unemployed, employees and those returning to work. The voucher is issued if the responsible employment agency at the place of residence considers further training to be necessary: ​​www.arbeitsagentur.de.

• Qualification Opportunities Act

  More information here.

3. State funding (Hesse)

• Educational leave

  In most federal states, employees have the option to take time off from work for a certain period of time in order to continue their education. Information on educational leave in Hesse.

4. Financial support for postgraduate students

• Student Loan

  Financial support for students from Germany and abroad (especially non-EU countries) in the MBAs/further education programmes in the form of loans and scholarships

  Brain Capital

  Students can apply for funding through the MBA or Master Education Fund. The amount of funding can be determined by the student, i.e. partial funding is also possible. Funding can also be combined with scholarships or other financial support. The prerequisite for an application is EU citizenship or an unlimited work and residence permit in Germany, as well as basic German language skills. Applicants from Switzerland, GB, Canada, USA and Australia can also receive funding in individual cases.
  
  Chancen eG

  Students can receive funding for further education (master's and bachelor's). Nationalities: Germany, EU, non-EU after individual case assessment
  
  Deutsche Bildung AG

  The education fund offer is open to all students (without age limit) of all subjects and disciplines. Nationalities: D, EU, non-EU
  
  Lendorse: Income Share Agreements

  The startup “Lendorse” has been offering income share agreements since 2021. The offer includes the financing of living costs as well as tuition fees and is in principle open to all disciplines, but IT-students receive special attention. Focus nationality: non-EU!
  

5. Sponsorship from Employer

• Employees can ask the employer, for example, to pay for their training or grant a loan to finance it. It is also often possible to talk about reduced working hours or a time off (see "Educational leave").