The Upgrading Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz, AFBG) provides financial support for the upgrading of craftsmen and other skilled workers and is intended to facilitate business start-ups. The funding is an equivalent to the Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, BAföG) and is therefore also known by the buzzword Meister-BAföG or Aufstiegs-BAföG.The Upgrading Training Assistance Act was introduced on January 1, 1996. Reforms to the AFBG took effect on January 1, 2002, July 1, 2009, and August 1, 2016, respectively. On August 1, 2020, the 4th AFBG Amendment Act came into force with the aim of expanding the scope of support and significantly improving the scope of support. Unlike BAföG, there is no maximum age limit in AFBG.