Vrije Universiteit Brussel Belgium Scholarship Admissions 2026 Open Under Flemish Government
If you’re planning to study in Belgium and counting on government-backed financial support, this is an update you simply can’t afford to overlook. The Scholarship from the Flemish Government remains one of the most important financial aid routes for students enrolled in Flemish universities — but from the 2026–2027 academic year, new conditions are coming into effect that will reshape how support is granted and reviewed. With budget adjustments confirmed and universities such as Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) reassessing their funding frameworks, early awareness and timely applications are now more critical than ever.
What makes this scholarship particularly valuable is its dual support structure — combining direct financial assistance with reduced tuition fees to ease the real cost of studying in Flanders. Under the Flemish Government scheme, eligible students can receive government-funded study grants based on nationality, programme level, and financial background, alongside reduced tuition fees at participating institutions. Even students who do not secure full grant funding may still qualify for automatic tuition fee reductions, ensuring that financial relief reaches a broader pool of applicants. Importantly, this support can extend across multiple study cycles, including Bachelor’s, Graduate, and Master’s programmes, making it one of the most flexible public funding systems in Belgium.
This opportunity is open to a wide range of students, with no age restriction, making it equally relevant for traditional school-leavers and mature learners returning to higher education. To be considered, applicants must meet the nationality conditions set by the Flemish study grant authority, be enrolled or enrolling in an eligible programme within the Flemish higher education system, and satisfy the financial criteria assessed by the Afdeling Studietoelage (Department of Study Grants). Students can receive funding for up to two Bachelor’s programmes, two Graduate’s programmes, one initial Master’s programme, as well as one bridging or preparatory programme and one additional educational degree, offering long-term continuity for academic progression in Belgium.
The application process is fully digital and student-friendly. All candidates apply through the official study grant platform at studietoelagen.be, where they can create a personal profile, upload documentation, and track their application status in real time. Once logged in, the interface is available in English, and applicants can also authorize the Department of Study Grants to automatically consider them for future academic years, ensuring that financial support continues without unnecessary reapplication hurdles. For students applying to Vrije Universiteit Brussel, detailed guidance is available at https://www.vub.be/en/studying-vub/practical-info-for-students/how-much-does-studying-cost/financial-support/scholarship-from-flemish-government#paragraph-71799.
For the upcoming cycle, timing is everything. The last date to apply for admission at Vrije Universiteit Brussel under the Flemish Government Scholarship framework for the 2026 academic year is 1 June 2026. Applications must be completed by this deadline to be considered for financial support, and students are strongly encouraged to submit early to allow time for verification and review. With funding rules evolving from 2026–2027 onward, this scholarship remains one of the most strategic ways to study in Belgium with public financial backing — but only for those who act in time and stay informed.
