Belgium - german 2015/16 - student fees and grants

National student fee

Higher education provision exists only at ISCED 5B level. All students have to pay fees at registration. Amounts range in theory from EUR 100 to 600. In practice, nearly all students pay the same amount of EUR 450.There is no distinction made between full and part-time students. Students from outside the European Union pay the same fees as Belgian and EU nationals.

Student grants

Student grants are need-based. Parental income determines eligibility. Annual grant amounts are between EUR 362 and 2 469 and are paid by the Ministry of the German-speaking Community.

Loans

The possibility exists to take out loans of EUR 1 000 for the first cycle and EUR 1 500 for the second cycle. Interest is between 0 and 3 %, depending on the income of the student, and the loan needs to be repaid at the latest three years after graduation. The loans are managed by the Province of Liège, and the Management Committee responsible for student loans can decide about an additional loan of EUR 1 500 on a case-by-case basis. However, no students actually took out a loan in 2013/14.

Tax benefit for student's parents

Heads of households receive tax benefits which depend on the number of dependent children and other relatives (including students enrolled at higher education institutions having no income). The tax-free minimum earnings threshold is increased by EUR 1 500 for one, 3 870 for two, 8 670 for three, 14 020 for four and + 5 350 for each subsequent child.

Family allowances

Family allowances from EUR 90.28/month depend on the number of children. They are in principle received by the mother of the child while the student is in education or training, until the age of 25. The student should have no professional activity other than a student job and work no more than 50 days during the year. However in case the student is not living with or supported by her/his mother, the family allowance is paid to the parent, relative or legal guardian who actually supports the child. Responsibility for family allowances was transferred from the federal level to the regional level (to the Flemish Community, the German-speaking Community, the Walloon Region and Common Community Commission for the Brussels-Capital Region) in 2014.