The Flemish Parliament has given the green light for savings on study grants. After months of criticism and weeks of postponement, the much-discussed savings has now passed the ultimate hurdle. According to Flemish Minister of Education Zuhal Demir (N-VA), the intervention is not only defensible but also necessary to keep the student grant system in Flanders afloat in the future.
The Flemish government decided last year to save almost 85 million euros on higher education. Part of that saving, more specifically 34 million euros, is contained in a decree by Minister Demir, which has far-reaching consequences for students with a scholarship. From the 2026-2027 academic year, only those under the age of 30 would be eligible for a study grant. Students will also have to take at least 54 credits to receive financial aid. There are exceptions for certain groups (e.g. working students, informal caregivers, students with a disability, etc.).
Supporters insist that the reform is necessary to make the system financially sustainable and more targeted. But there has also been criticism of the savings plans for months. Both the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), the Flemish Council of Universities of Applied Sciences (VLHORA) and the Flemish Association of Students (VVS) expressed criticism that the decree would be counterproductive and could result in fewer students and diplomas.
Students also took to the streets in several cities in protest against the plans. That student protest was also extended yesterday with several dozen students present in the public gallery of parliament. In that parliament yesterday, the opposition parties repeated their criticism of the decree. After several weeks of delay, the decree was finally approved.