Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
Between 2000 and 2022, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education in Belgium for both sexes (UIS) rose from 56.2% to 83.6%. Between 2010 and 2021, initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita (UIS) ranged from 31.7% to 35.4%. No UIS data is available for initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita.
Tuition-free status
In Belgium, public tertiary education tuition policies vary by community due to the country’s federal structure. In the Flemish Community tuition fees for recognized – and therefore publicly funded - short-cycle higher education and initial Bachelor and Master programmes, are regulated by the Decree of 30 April 2004 on the flexibilization of higher education. All students in the Flemish Community pay tuition for higher education, but those who receive means-tested study grants or come from families that are slightly above the threshold of tax income for entitlement to such grants pay less. In 2025/26, fees for full-time studies (60 ECTS) ranged from €136,50 for grant recipients to €1157 for those without means-tested study grant For Ph.D. studies the tuition varies between €557,10 to €580, depending on the University and is only paid the first year of the studies and for the year of defense of the doctoral dissertation. The intermediate years are free of charge.
For advanced Bachelor and Master programmes higher education institutions may set higher tuition fees, regardless of whether the programmes are (partly) publicly funded or not.
In the French-speaking Community (Wallonia-Brussels Federation), public higher education institutions charge tuition fees, which are regulated by law. The Decree defining the structure of higher education and the academic organization of studies (2013) (Article 105) states that the amount of tuition fees for studies is set by decree. These amounts include registration for enrollment, the academic year, and the exams and assessments organized during that academic year. In addition to the tuition fee, and in some cases, specific registration fees or additional registration fees, fees covering goods and services may be charged. A consultation committee within each higher education institution determines which fees will be charged on this basis and communicates the amounts via the study regulations. The French-speaking Community can provide financial assistance in the form of a study allowance (scholarship). The amounts granted vary according to several parameters. A scholarship student receiving financial aid from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation or development cooperation gets free tuition fees and free printing of mandatory course materials. Students with modest incomes benefit from reduced tuition fees set by decree. Depending on their situation, students may be able to apply for a reduction in tuition fees or for financial aid from their institution's social services department.
At the level of higher education organized in adult education institutions, fully unemployed persons receiving benefits, job seekers, people receiving social integration income, and persons with disabilities are exempt from tuition fees.
In the German-speaking Community, tuition fees are also required for public universities. The sole higher education institution in this community is the Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien (AHS), which offers only first-cycle (bachelor-level) full-time programmes and all the students pay the same amount of 450 euros.
Governance
The responsibility for financing and overseeing higher education lies with the three communities, each managing its own system independently. The federal government has only a limited role, focusing mainly on research policy and international cooperation, without direct control over education budgets.
The Flemish-speaking Community manages higher education through its Ministry of Education and Training (Department of Education and Training and Agency for Higher and Adult Education, Qualifications and Study Grants), under the authority of the Flemish Minister of Education, and is responsible for funding allocation, regulation, and the administration of means-tested study grants.
The French-speaking Community handles this through the Ministry of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, specifically the Directorate-General for Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Scientific Research.
In the German-speaking Community, the Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien (AHS) is under the authority of the Ministry of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, via its Department of Education and Training. This ministry oversees education policy and administration for the German-speaking Community, including higher education. It also provides scholarships and educational support for students who study in other communities or abroad.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
In Belgium’s three communities, public higher education is funded directly by the respective community governments, not through local governments. As such, there are no funding mechanisms for transferring resources from the federal government to community governments for higher education. The organisation of higher education is community-based and centralised within each linguistic community, with local governments playing no significant role in funding or managing public higher education institutions.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
In the Flemish-speaking Community, all institutions are autonomously run, regardless of pertaining to public or to private law. Government funding is granted on equal footing to higher education institutions pertaining to public law , as well as to and recognized private institutions. Both are part of the official higher education system.
In the French-speaking Community, higher education institutions—both public and recognized private universities—receive government subsidies, but only if they are officially grant-aided. There is no specific funding for private universities, simply based on the absence of a public university.
In the German-speaking Community, there is no private post-secondary education.
Allocation and equity
In the Flemish-speaking Community, the Decree of 14 March 2008 on the funding of the operation of universities and university colleges established a new funding system for the entire higher education sector. This decree specifies the programmes eligible for funding. Six key areas are defined by legislation for support through these funds, including catering, housing services, and assistance for students with mental or physical disabilities. Institutions and their student service councils have considerable flexibility in how they organise and provide these services. As of 2017, 85% of total higher education expenditure came from public sources. In the Flemish higher education funding formula, equity is promoted through specific weighting mechanisms that provide additional funding for institutions supporting underrepresented or disadvantaged groups. In the education component, a weight of 1.5 is applied to credits earned and degrees obtained by students receiving public study grants, students with recognised disabilities, and students who combine work and study, thereby increasing the funding linked to their academic progress. In the research component, extra points are granted for appointing female academic staff and staff recruited from outside the institution, encouraging diversity and inclusiveness in academic hiring practices.
In the French-speaking Community, public universities receive annual operating subsidies consisting of a fixed component (30%) based on historical shares and a variable component (70%) allocated according to the number of eligible students, weighted by study group and credits. Additional targeted subsidies support equity, such as compensation for reduced tuition fees for grant recipients and low-income students, funding for free course materials, social grants based on student eligibility, and special allocations to promote student success—especially for first-generation students and those in need of tailored academic support. Social grants are also awarded to higher education institutions according to the number of students eligible for funding.
In the German-speaking Community, there is no private post-secondary education; the Autonome Hochschule is the only higher education institution. It receives its core funding directly from the government of the Community. Each year, the AHS receives additional funds for government-approved further education and training programmes. No explicit indication was found that the AHS receives additional government funds specifically earmarked for equity measures or for supporting specific disadvantaged groups within the institution. The OECD noted in 2022 in a report on Quality and equity of schooling in the Community that the German-speaking Community’s main school funding allocation mechanisms do not compensate for additional resource needs that may arise from equity concerns, though there is ongoing policy work to address quality and equity through broader education reforms.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
In general, admission into higher education is open to all in Belgium given that they have received a secondary education degree.
In the Flemish Community, means-tested study grants are primarily offered to students pursuing associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees at recognised institutions. These grants are mostly awarded based on family (tax) income and enrollment of at least 27 ECTS credits, with further eligibility regulated by a system of “grant credits.” The responsible authority is the Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications and Student Grants (AHOVOKS), under the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training. t. The grant system particularly targets students from low-income families, often also from underrepresented backgrounds, such as migrants, refugees often residing in larger urban areas . The distribution of grants and other support, including student services, is governed by laws and policies such as the 2013 Higher Education Code. In addition, students who receive full scholarships, among the most financially disadvantaged, pay significantly reduced tuition fees, with a total cost of €136,50per academic year (2025/26).
In the French-speaking Community, Higher education institutions may, on an exceptional basis, grant a student a reduction in their programme workload at the time of admission. This may be granted for professional, academic, social or medical reasons. Students who benefit from a reduction in their programme workload will pay tuition fees proportional to the number of credits in their annual programme.
The German-speaking Community does not appear to have specific equity-based pathways formally established in its higher education admission processes.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
In the Flemish-speaking Community, scholarships are primarily offered to students pursuing associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees at recognised institutions. These grants are mostly awarded based on family income and enrollment of at least 27 credits, with further eligibility regulated by a system of “grant credits.” The responsible authority is the Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications and Student Grants (AHOVOKS), under the Flemish Government. The grant system particularly targets students from low-income families and underrepresented backgrounds, including a high proportion of students with migrant backgrounds and those from urban areas like Brussels, Antwerp, and Hasselt-Genk. The distribution of grants and other support, including student services, is governed by laws and policies such as the 2013 Higher Education Code. The scholarship amounts differ between residential and non-residential students, and vary by family income, family composition, and the number of study credits taken. Students who receive full scholarships, among the most financially disadvantaged, pay significantly reduced tuition fees, with a total cost of €112 per academic year (2020/21).
In the French-speaking Community, higher education students can receive study grants based on financial need, which may also exempt them from paying tuition fees. Eligibility depends on the studies pursued, a detailed evaluation of household income, cadastral income, rental income, and nationality. Income limits are adjusted according to family size, with exceptions made for recent financial difficulties like job loss or separation. Students must be enrolled full-time and meet specific residency and nationality requirements. The Direction of Study Grants, part of the Ministry of Education, is responsible for managing these grants. The amount varies based on individual cases and current rules, ranging from 400 to 5,000 euros. Additional support includes the Gustave Wernaers scholarship of €2,500 for financially struggling students in accounting or music programs and mobility grants for studying abroad. Moreover, two main organizations—AWIPH and PHARE—provide support to students with disabilities over 18 pursuing higher or university education. They may cover costs like specialized equipment, transport, boarding, and offer academic support. In some cases, registration fees may also be reimbursed if financial aid is denied elsewhere. Higher education institutions also facilitate access to education for asylum seekers, recognized refugees, and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. Specific measures include free registration for certain exams and the opportunity to take French as a foreign language courses. There are no scholarships specifically reserved for girls or cultural minorities in higher education in the French Community.
In the German-speaking Community, study grants are based on the income of the student and their parents. To qualify, students must be 35 or younger and apply every year. The amount awarded depends on family income and how well the student is doing in their studies. Grants range from EUR 362 to EUR 2,710 per year and are provided by the Ministry of the German-speaking Community. There are no grants based on academic excellence, and the Community does not offer any government-supported student loans. From the 2023–2024 school year, students can get an interest-free loan through the DuO training grant if they study for a job where there is a shortage of workers. If they meet the requirements, they will receive EUR 350 per month for the normal length of the course. The loan does not need to be paid back if the student finishes the course and works part-time in the German-speaking Community for at least five years within ten years after finishing their studies.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
In the Flemish community, the 2013 Higher Education Code states that student services funds (STUVO) allocated to each higher education institution through the higher education public financing system aim to promote equal access to higher education by improving students’ basic conditions and reducing financial and non-financial barriers. The legislation allows STUVO funds to be used in six areas, including transportation—such as subsidised tickets or season passes for local public transport—and housing, which covers advice, coordination of private rentals, and subsidised student housing near campuses. These funds are first allocated to higher education institutions, then specifically to students.
In the French-speaking Community, students can benefit from discounted public transport fares: SNCB offers up to 40% off for young people under 26 and BIM cardholders; TEC provides reduced subscriptions specifically for the 18-24 age group; STIB grants discounted school passes for students up to 24 years old, with further reductions or free passes for BIM and CPAS beneficiaries; and De Lijn also offers reduced fares for students and social aid recipients. These discounts help make transport more affordable for students. These measures are mentioned on the Ministry of Education’s website.
There is no evidence of systematic, government-provided support for transportation in the German-speaking Community or at the Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien (AHS), the only higher education institution of the Community.
Accommodation
In the Flemish community, students can get rental subsidies if they meet certain conditions, such as living in substandard housing or having a rent below a set limit. The subsidy amount is based on income and rent.
In the French-speaking Community, while there are no specific scholarships solely for accommodation, university students with low incomes can receive housing support through a rental aid programme. This financial help depends on income limits and family status.
There is no evidence of systematic, government-provided support for accommodation in the German-speaking Community or at the Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien (AHS).
Textbooks
In the French Community, by decree, higher education institutions must make all compulsory course materials available to students, at least in electronic form. They must also print compulsory course materials free of charge if a student receiving a grant requests them.
The Flemish Community higher education institutions developed centralized printing policies to limit the cost of printed course materials and set up selling points for study books at affordable prices.
For people with disabilities, course materials must be adaptable within the framework of inclusive education (decree).
This profile has been reviewed by Marie-Anne Persoons, Advisor International Policy, Flemish Department of Education and Training and Véronique Halbart, Chargée de mission.
