Additional conditions for a study grant of the Flemish Community

1. You are enrolled for a minimum of 54 credits under a diploma contract.

• Info regarding the 54 credits and the associated exemptions.

2. You are younger than 30 years on December 31, 2026.

• Info regarding the age requirement and the associated exemptions.

Exemption to the age requirement

You can apply for an exemption if you were unable to start or complete higher education before the age of 30 due to circumstances beyond your control.

You will need to demonstrate yourself that, due to circumstances beyond your control, it was impossible to both start and complete a higher education programme before you turned 30.
Use the application form for an exemption to the age requirement 26-27 (in dutch).

Exemption to enrollment for 54 credits

Students starting a bachelor's programme are required to take all credits (60 ECTS) of the first-year standard study track.
Taking fewer than 60 credits in the first bachelor's year is only possible after approval.
Education and Examination Regulations 2026-2027 - Article 30 §4 (in dutch)

The exemption categories below relate to the allocation of the Flemish study grant.
These exemptions do not automatically entitle the student to a reduced curriculum, a facility, or a deviation from the study progress measures.
Education and Examination Regulations 2026-2027 - Article 21bis (in dutch)

Based on a special status

• Disability*
• Elite athlete status
• Professional artistry*
• Holding office
• Exceptional social or personal circumstances*
• Foreign-language speaker* (No diploma in Dutch-language secondary education AND enrolled in higher education in Flanders for the first time.)
• Working student status (in dutch)
• Working student (Student works an average of 50 hours per month)* (in dutch)
• Student entrepreneurship*

*First enrollment in the first-year standard study track? The facility ‘reduced curriculum' must be granted.

Due to curriculum (structure)

• You may not take 54 credits due to dependency, program structure, or the organization of the academic year: contact your FSA.
• You start in the 2nd semester and enrol for at least 27 credits.
• You are enrolled in a preparatory or linking course with a standard study track of < 54 credits.
• You are in your diploma year.

Other exemptions

• Medical reasons
• Care for a minor child

Apply for an exemption

Apply for your study grant via the e-Portal for study grants and attach the required certificate for the exemption.

• Exemption for diploma year? Granted automatically based on information held in databases.
• Exemption via UGent? After approval of the exemption, you can download a certificate via Oasis (from the start of the 2026-2027 academic year).
• Exemption for medical reasons? Have a doctor complete the 'medical reasons form'.
• Exemption regarding care for a minor child? Indicate this in your application. You do not need to attach a certificate. A check is performed against the National Register.

More information

Contact Team Social Services for more information. 
There are also other options for financial support for study costs.