Meeting Marie: A Student Benefiting from CPAS Aid

Many students may find themselves in difficult financial situations during their studies. To assist them, several organizations offer support, whether financial or otherwise. Among these is the CPAS (Public Center for Social Welfare). We spoke with Marie, a 23-year-old student who benefits from this aid.

Can you introduce yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Marie, I’m 23 years old. I’m currently finishing my studies in Art History and Archaeology, and I already hold a degree in History along with a teaching qualification in the same field. I hope to start working in September 2020.

You receive aid from CPAS. How did you learn about this assistance?

I have been receiving support from CPAS for two years. I discovered this aid when I wanted to move out of my mother’s home but had no financial means to cover my basic needs. I researched it myself—none of the services I had previously consulted informed me about this option. So, I contacted the CPAS of my municipality directly and handled everything with them.

How can someone contact CPAS to open a file?

You have to go in person. In my municipality’s CPAS, the office opens once or twice a week at 8 AM. They operate on a "first come, first served" basis and only take the first 10 people in line. If you’re the 11th person, your request is not processed, and you have to come back the following week. This can be quite complicated for students in urgent situations. What conditions did you have to meet to receive this aid?

There are several conditions:

• I had to move out of my mother’s home.
• I had to have a monthly income below €950.
• I had to continue my studies and pass my courses, preferably with good results.
• I had to actively look for a student job, for at least 1 month per year (equivalent to 20–30 days per year).
• I needed to provide proof of my job search (cover letter, CV, job offers, etc.). If a student finds a job, the income earned is deducted from the CPAS aid.

How much financial aid do you receive?

It depends on the individual’s situation. The Social Integration Income (RIS) is set at €958/month for students living independently. From this amount, CPAS deducts other income sources, such as:

€125 in family allowances. Any alimony or other financial support. For example, I receive €350 per month from CPAS because I already have €600 covered through family allowances and my father’s alimony.

Does financial aid arrive immediately?

No. CPAS first conducts an investigation to determine if they will grant support. Once approved, you must submit many administrative documents. Some administrative processes are slow, so it takes time to gather everything.

I received my first CPAS payment two months after my request. Fortunately, payments are retroactive, so I received a larger first payment covering the previous months.

What happens if you fail your academic year?

I’ve never failed a year, so I don’t know for sure. However, if I have a second session, they are quite flexible as long as I pass all my credits by the end of the academic year. But I believe that if a student fails their year, CPAS might stop financial aid since the student wouldn’t have met their contractual obligations.

Can everyone access this aid?

Generally, CPAS aid is available to students who no longer depend financially on their parents, or whose parents have very low income and cannot support them. The main condition is usually that the student is no longer financially dependent on their parents. However, each case is evaluated individually by CPAS social workers.

What kind of follow-up is required after receiving financial aid?

I have meetings every six months with a social worker assigned to my case. I must also send regular emails updating them about:

• My academic results
• Any changes in my financial situation
• Income from student jobs

Once a year, CPAS also conducts a psycho-social evaluation, which assesses:

• Housing conditions
• Mental health and well-being

This evaluation is very thorough. Some students may find it intrusive, as they must provide bank statements, discuss personal circumstances, and share detailed information.

Does CPAS aid stop once you finish your studies?

My social worker confirmed that they will continue to support me until I find a job, which is reassuring. However, since I will be moving to another municipality in September, my CPAS file will be transferred to the new municipality. This means starting over with a new social worker, resubmitting bank statements, explaining my situation again, and undergoing a new psycho-social evaluation.

What happens in case of fraud?

If a student lies about their income, living situation, or financial independence, and is caught, they must repay all the financial aid received.

Did you seek any other financial aid besides CPAS?

Yes. Throughout my studies, I received a scholarship from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. I also reached out to my university’s social services, but they couldn’t help me because I was already receiving CPAS aid.