Scholarships and Grades in Belgium - What Average Do You Need?

Discover what scholarships are available in Belgium and what requirements are set.

A scholarship can make your studies much more affordable. In Belgium, there are different types of study grants and scholarships. Here you'll find all information about the options for Belgian students.

Types of Scholarships in Belgium

Excellence Scholarships and Study Funds

Various funds and foundations offer scholarships for talented students. These often require a high average (usually 14/20 or higher on the Belgian scale).

Government Study Grant

The study grant is financial support for students. This is primarily based on your parents' income, not your grades. You can apply via studentenportaal.be (Flanders) or allocations-etudes.cfwb.be (Wallonia-Brussels Federation).

OCMW/CPAS Support

If you're in financial difficulty, OCMW (Flanders) or CPAS (Wallonia/Brussels) can support you with a living wage or study grant.

Grade Requirements by Scholarship Type

Typical requirements for scholarships in Belgium:

  • Government study grant: no grade requirement, but income conditions
  • University excellence scholarships: average ≥ 14/20
  • Honours programs: average ≥ 13/20 - 14/20
  • Some private funds: average ≥ 12/20

Note: Requirements vary greatly by scholarship. Always check the specific conditions!

International Scholarships

As a Belgian student, you can also apply for international scholarships:

  • Erasmus+: Grant for study or internship abroad
  • Fulbright: For study in the United States
  • VLIR-UOS: Scholarships for development cooperation

Scholarships by University

Belgian universities offer their own excellence programs and scholarships:

  • KU Leuven: Metaforum Honours Programme for excellent students
  • UGent: Scholarships for international and excellent students
  • UCLouvain: Bourses d'excellence pour étudiants méritants
  • ULB: Aides financières et bourses d'études

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

  • Start early - deadlines are often months before the start of studies
  • Collect evidence of your grades and achievements
  • Write a strong motivation letter
  • Request recommendation letters from professors who know you well
  • Apply to multiple scholarships - success rates vary

Calculate Your Average

Want to know if your average is high enough for an excellence scholarship? Use our calculator to calculate your weighted average based on your study credits.