Financial support for students

Main idea

Outline

The average cost of studying in Belgium depends on several different elements. The registration fee plays a significant role. This is different for grant students, partial grant students or non-grant students. Another factor is student housing. Research has shown that one year of studying for those renting a student room costs on average € 5.133. Including food, relaxation, clothing, internet, and mobile phone, the total amount adds up to € 16.281 for non-scholarship students. For a commuting student, it costs approximately € 10.739 per year to study. Aside from tuition fees and rent, there are other costs to consider when studying at AUAS.  These include the costs of textbooks and any specific course material you might need. For most courses, this total will range from 300 to 700 euros annually.

Detailed description

The Office of Student Services offers financial support for or in the form of:

• study costs, including the study fee, textbooks, the cost of commuting, sessions to help with dyscalculia, etc.;
• study materials (e.g., laptop, camera…);
• international studies/internships;
• guidance and/or therapy;
• rent for student housing;
• affordable culture and sport activities;
• loans.

Depending on the type of support, students can either receive money, a refund of costs, or a rent-free loan. There’s an option to loan maximum €1000 without rent . Students must pay this off within the academic year. There is a long-term loan, also interest-free, which must be approved by the committee and must be repaid within 36 months. Repayment begins during the study period.

Goals

Informing students about finances and helping financially vulnerable students.

Target group

Obstacles targetted:

• Economic obstacles

Inspiration and evidence

The initiative is legislatively mandated. This means that it is based on or prescribed by a decree. This implies that this initiative has a legal status and is binding according to the legislation.

Success criteria

• Stuvo largely aligns with the study grant service of the Flemish government. This government service provides financial support to students to assist in covering their study expenses. However, Stuvo is less bound by rules and can therefore make more exceptions for students facing specific financial difficulties. This way, Stuvo can support a broader range of students.
• Students do not have to provide extensive documentation in order to obtain financial aid or loans from Stuvo. This makes it easier for students to apply for a study grant without involving their parents.
• Stuvo staff are bound by professional confidentiality.
• The Stuvo service extends beyond financial assistance. The staff members possesse both social-legal and psychosocial expertise.
• Assistance is provided in a low-threshold manner across different campuses.

Points of attention

• Stuvo strives to be accessible and accessible as possible, offering low-threshold assistance. However, students often overlook it and remain unaware of its existence. There is a significant group that does not find their way to Stuvo and there is a large group of students who find it difficult to ask for help.
• Stuvo specifically focuses on studying costs and therefore cannot provide structural financial support for students’ financial situations.
• The website’s search function is not yet optimal, making it difficult to locate information.

Do you feel you can effectively provide the support that students require?

Would you recommend this to other institutions?

strongly agree

Evaluation

• For students, a brief survey is included with the committee’s decision to assess satisfaction, accessibility, and how well the offer meets the needs.
• This academic year (2023-2024), there is the “study funding project” aimed at sharpening their vision, reassessing the feasibility of all support, and refining their target group (vulnerable students) definition.
• Every year, discussions are held to assess the feasibility of the budgets. The grants and loans usually remain consistent. Adjustments are made accordingly these evaluations.
• A study conducted by the Office of study and Career Guidance revealed that students are highly satisfied with Stuvo. However, many students still struggle to find their way to Stuvo or are hesitant to seek help.
• Every year, there is contemplation on how to make the service more accessible, such as by reducing administrative barriers. Stuvo strives to simplify the process for students to apply for assistance. Additionally, they brainstorm every year on how to reach out to more students.

Communication

• Stuvo staff strive to be as close to the students as possible, often situated directly on campus, enabling them to readily assist students.
• The application forms for study grants and loans are available online on the website in both Dutch and English. Al of their services are also extensively detailed on the website.
• Stuvo and its operations are advertised on Facebook, Instagram, in brochures, posters, newsletters, during introduction days and on the TV screens across campuses.
• Campus staff, teachers or other support services frequently refer students to Stuvo.

Timing

The study grant from the Flemish government can be applied for from August the first, well before the start of the academic year, until June the first, almost at the end of the academic year. The housing allowance runs from mid-November to June 1^st. Throughout the academic year, various other subsidies can be submitted to the committee for consideration.

Resources

• A large number of staff member are required because the service is spread across multiple campuses.
• The application forms and contracts need to be regularly updated.
• There must be a designated contact person.
• A software program developed by the IT department of AUAS is utilized to integrate Stuvo and the financial service.
• Budget

Extra information

• News article on study costs in Belgium
• Stuvo on the AUAS' website
• Information for students
• Flyer Stuvo (pdf)

Transferability

We think it is quite easily transferable to other contexts or groups.

Financial conditions need to be established, and there must be sufficient budget available.

Context

The service depends on the government’s study graft service of that region or country.

Universal design

• The service is accessible to everyone: anyone can apply for a grant or a loan. To obtain this, you must meet financial conditions.
• Anyone can book an appointment on campus.
• Stuvo offers a range of services for all students, including their sport and cultural activities. Even students not studying at AUAS can participate.