Since September, individuals over 30 can no longer access study grants, even if they had already started a program. This particularly affects teacher training and social work programs, which traditionally attract many career changers. The lack of financial support leads many to abandon further studies or discontinue their current ones.
Furthermore, VDAB support for job seekers wishing to study has been reduced from three to two years. At AP Hogeschool, the number of new students starting with VDAB support has nearly halved, especially impacting bachelor's programs that typically last three years.
Pascale De Groote, general director of AP Hogeschool, highlights the consequences for financial accessibility in a large urban context like Antwerp. 'For students returning to education later in life, the loss of financial support can be a significant barrier,' she stated.
This situation hinders a crucial pathway to employment for job seekers and those looking to switch careers. Sectors such as education and social work, which face a high demand for qualified personnel, are at risk of staff shortages. Reducing opportunities for retraining later in life also contradicts the principle of lifelong learning.
The university college emphasizes the importance of addressing the impact of these new measures on older students pursuing higher education. Financial support can be the deciding factor for them to study or not, and consequently, to enter sectors in need of more employees. 'Accessible higher education, with ample opportunities for retraining and lifelong learning, is not only important for students themselves but also an investment in the labor market and society,' De Groote concluded.
