Federal funding for preparatory courses for Swiss federal examinations

Are you thinking of preparing for a federal certificate?
Good news higher vocational education and training in Switzerland financial support from the Confederation. Since 1 January 2018, an official scheme, person-centred funding, allows each candidate to recover a significant part of the cost of their training. Here's everything you need to know before taking the plunge.

What the Confederation pays

The Confederation reimburses 50 % of the costs of preparatory courses for the federal certificate, up to a maximum of CHF 9,500. This reimbursement is granted on condition that the candidate sits the federal examination, regardless of the result obtained. In other words, whether or not you pass your exam, you are still entitled to the subsidy. What counts is that you have attended the course and passed the test.

The 4 conditions to be met

To qualify for this aid, you must meet the following conditions:

• pay your course fees in person (the invoice must be made out in your name)
• follow a course on the official list of preparatory courses
• take the federal examination,
• be resident in Switzerland at the time of application.

An important point that is often overlooked Even if your employer finances all or part of your training, the federal subsidy is paid directly to you, not to your employer. It is therefore essential that the tuition invoice is made out in your personal name.

How does the process work in practice?

In the standard case, you first pay the full course fees and then sit the federal examination. It is only after you have passed the exam that you submit your subsidy application. The grant represents 50 % of the tuition fees covered, paid once the complete application has been submitted. 

What if you can't advance the funds?

In certain exceptional cases, it is possible to apply for partial subsidies before the examination, if the participant does not have the necessary means to pre-finance his or her training on his or her own and does not receive any support from his or her employer, a canton or an industry association.

Cantonal aid: a possible complement

Federal funding is not the only source of support. Depending on your canton of residence, additional support may be available: study grants, low-interest loans, or contributions from cantonal vocational training foundations. Before submitting your application, check with your course provider whether a cantonal subsidy has already been applied for, as this may influence the amount of the federal contribution. Contact your cantonal vocational training department for more information.

What the grant does not cover

It is important to know that the federal subsidy does not cover examination fees for federal examinations. These costs, which are subsidised directly by the Confederation to the bodies responsible for the examinations, are not included in the individual entitlement to the subsidy.

Ready to prepare for your federal certificate?

Federal funding makes higher vocational training more accessible than ever. It's a real opportunity to enhance your career without having to bear the financial burden alone.

Discover our preparatory courses for the OSAM Formations federal certificates and get a head start on your career.