Overview of funding types and options for course funding
FIA offers AZAV-certified courses for professional language and professional knowledge, which are funded (paid) by different sponsors. Following sponsors can cover the fees for these courses:
| Sponsors | Types of funding | FIA training centers |
| Employment Agency | education voucher | Essen, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Hanover, Heidelberg, Landshut |
| Employment Agency (employer service) |
Skills Development Opportunities Act (QCG, formerly WeGebAU) | Essen, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Hanover, Heidelberg, Landshut |
| Jobcenter | education voucher | Essen, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Hanover, Heidelberg, Landshut |
| Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) | certificate of eligibility | Frankfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Marburg |
Course funding is only available to you if your place of residence is Germany.
General language courses (German A1 – B1) are not funded.
Which funding is right for me?
- If you have a residence permit for language acquisition or recognition of a foreign qualification, typically the Employment Agency is responsible for you. If you have a different residence permit go to the Jobcenter (both are located in the city or county that you live in).
- If you receive a rejection, you can apply for funding for a professional language course with BAMF.
These courses are funded
General information on providers of funding
Where: Funding is possible for all FIA locations
What: Preparation for the professional language test and preparation for the professional knowledge test (pay attention to local exceptions!)
When: Make an appointment with the Employment Agency the latest 6 weeks before course commencement. (Some agencies also provide funding up to one or two weeks before commencement. Be sure to contact the Employment Agency responsible for you and ask.)
Requirements:
- Place of residence in Germany
- Valid visa/ residence permit: residence permit for language acquisition or recognition of foreign qualification (§ 16 d, § 16f) as well as family reunification with foreign nationals (§ 29) or spousal reunification (§ 30)
- Proof of recognition procedure (e.g. receipt or recognition letter; may vary depending on agency)
Where: Funding is possible for all FIA locations
What: Preparation for the professional language test and preparation for the professional knowledge test (pay attention to local exceptions!)
When: Make an appointment with the Jobcenter the latest 6 weeks before course commencement. (Some Jobcenters also provide funding up to one or two weeks before commencement. Be sure to contact the Jobcenter responsible for you and ask.)
Requirements:
- Place of residence in Germany
- Valid visa/ residence permit: granting of residence by supreme state authorities; admission based on special political interests; resettlement of persons seeking protection (§ 23), residence for humanitarian reasons (§ 25)
- Proof of recognition procedure (copy of application form, if available proof of receipt)
Where: Funding is possible for training centers in Frankfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg and Marburg
What: Basic Professional Language Course B2 (= general language) and Specialized Language Course Academic Health Professions C1 (= professional language)
When: After receiving an education voucher rejection from the Employment Agency or Jobcenter
Requirements:
- Place of residence in Germany
- Valid visa / residence permit
- Proof of recognition procedure (copy of application form, if available proof of receipt)
- Proof of language proficiency at level B1 for the Basic Professional Language Course B2 or level B2 for the Specialized Language Course Academic Health Professions C1
