Centre for Student Counselling and Guidance

Overview of Topics

1. Brief Overview of STUVO HUB Work Fields

2. What is the cost of Higher Education in Belgium?

3. Study Financing Support

4. Integration Activities for International Students

1. Brief Overview of STUVO HUB Work Fields

• Financial Support- Help and guidance with grants of the Flemish Government- Financial Support STUVO HUB- Information and advice on the student statute

• JOS (student jobs)- Information and advice on legislation of student jobs- Consultation of the JOS database

• Housing- Student rooms through the private market or through the student housing organisation vzw Quartier Latin- Information and advice on housing in Brussels- Tips and tricks for finding the perfect accommodation

These services are guaranteed by the Social Service.

• Student coaching- All subjects can be discussed- Tips for the future- Trainings: study motivation, fear of failure, study methods, planning of the exams, active studying,…

• Student activities- Sports at HUB facilities and in Brussels at a low cost- STUVO cultural events and support of creative initiatives- Information and campaigns on healthy food, drugs, AIDS,…

• Student restaurant- Student friendly prices- High Quality and daily fresh products

• Transportation- Information on the public transport in and around Brussels- Cheap season tickets (metro, tram and bus) of the MIVB

2. What is the Cost of Higher Education in Belgium? (1)

Direct costs of higher education:- Tuition fee- Books, courses, study material, …- Study related costs: field trips,

traineeship costs,…- Computer, internet, library, …- Transport

2. What is the Cost of Higher Education in Belgium? (2)

Indirect costs of higher education:- Accommodation- Food- Free time (sports, movies, music,…)- Clothes- Medical Costs

2. What is the Cost of Higher Education in Belgium? (3)

3. Study Financing Support (1)

• Taxes (benefits per child fiscally dependent)

• Child allowance• Study financing of the Flemish Gov.• Study financing by the social service• Student jobs

3. Study Financing Support (2)

• Tax deduction for parentsParents receive a tax deduction for the children that are fiscally dependent.

• Child allowanceA monthly allowance given to the parents for the costs of education and support of the children.

3. Study Financing Support (3)

• Study Financing from the Flemish Government = study grant

Student has to fulfill 3 conditions:1. Nationality condition2. Educational condition3. Financial conditions

3. Study Financing Support (4)

• Study financing by the social service- Advance on the study grant of the Flemish Government- Reduction of the tuition fee- Payment in installments of the tuition fee

- Social allowance of the Social Service

3. Study financing support (5)

• Student jobs

Arrangement: 2 x 23 days of work REMARK: as of 1/01/2012: 1 x 50 days

- 23 days during the summer (July-September)No limits in worked hours Important: solidarity contribution 2,5%

- 23 days during the academic yearNo more than 240h/quarterImportant: solidarity contribution 4,5%

3. Study financing support (6)

• Student jobs

A student is allowed to work more than 2 x 23 days (or 50 days in 2012), however, this can affect the taxes of the student’s parents or the student’s taxes.

Fiscally dependent? Net income from student jobs: < € 2.890,00(single parent: € 4.170)

Student pays taxes? Net income from student jobs: < € 6.570,00

4. Integration Activities for International Students

• Welcome Day for International/Exchange students

• Buddy Programme for Exchange students

• Help with the Global Village (information fair for HUB students by exchange students)

• Activities organised by STUVO HUB: Trip to Christmas Market in Cologne, Indoor football competition, …