Exemptions on a full-time study path where you may still be eligible for a student grant
From the 2026–2027 academic year onwards, you will only be eligible for a study grant if you are enrolled for at least 54 credits and are therefore following a full-time study programme. There are exceptions which may mean you are still eligible for a study grant even if you do not meet this condition.
You can apply for an exemption from full-time study. In the following situations, you may be eligible for a student grant even if you are not studying full-time.
The requirement to enrol on a full-time study programme does not apply if you are in your final year of study, or if you are able to complete a preparatory or bridging programme. This exemption is granted automatically on the basis of information held in databases. Therefore, please do not include a certificate in your application; doing so will delay the processing of your application.
Your university or university of applied sciences recognises that you cannot enrol for 54 credits due to, for example:
- a late change of course
- exemptions
- a limited number of modules available
You must enrol for modules that start in the second semester and take on at least 27 credits (unless even 27 credits are not possible due to course sequencing, the structure of the programme or the organisation of the academic year).
Your university or university of applied sciences recognises that you cannot enrol for 54 credits.
You are combining your studies with work and have been granted recognised status by your college or university for this purpose.
You have a disability that affects your studies and have been granted recognised status by your college or university.
You are combining your studies with elite sport and have been granted recognised status by your college or university for this purpose.
You are working professionally as an artist whilst studying, and have been granted recognised status by your college or university for this purpose.
Your doctor states that, for medical reasons, it is not possible for you to study full-time.
The Student Grants Division will grant an exemption if you are combining your studies with caring for a minor child. The child’s parentage will be verified in the National Register.
You are a carer and have been granted recognised carer status by your college or university.
Your college or university acknowledges that you did not obtain a secondary education qualification in the Dutch-language education system, and you are now enrolling at a Flemish college or university for the first time.
You find yourself in a social or personal situation that is of such a specific nature that the rector or chief executive considers it impossible for you to take up 54 credits.
Would you like to apply for an exemption on medical grounds? If so, ask a doctor to complete the ‘Formulier medische redenen’ (form medical reasons - only in Dutch, avaibable on the forms page (in Dutch)) and add it to your file via the e-portal.
If you have already received a rejection because you were taking too few credits, you can also use the medical form to request a review. You should then add this certificate to your file.
Do you already have a certificate from your college or university proving that you have a disability? If so, you no longer need to apply for an exemption on medical grounds.
- Would you like to apply for an exemption as a student with a minor child? You can indicate this in your file. A check will be carried out using the National Register. It is therefore not necessary to add a certificate in this case.
- Would you like to apply for one of the other exemptions? In that case, you will need a certificate from your university:
- Contact your university to have one of the above situations recognised (see ‘exemptions on a full-time study path’)
- Your university will assess your application in accordance with the education and examination regulations
- You will receive a certificate from your university or college confirming your recognised status or the impossibility of taking at least 54 credits
- You must attach this certificate to your application for a student grant.
Exemption regarding the final year of study
Reduced tuition fees
If you do not qualify for an exemption but do meet the financial criteria, you will still be entitled to reduced tuition fees (beurstarief in Dutch). You will, however, always need to submit an application to the Study Grants Division.