I'm Dropping Out of My Studies Mid-Year... What to Do?

You decide to interrupt your studies because of poor guidance, a loss of motivation, or simply a need for money… The year is still long, and you want to make the most of your time? Generally speaking, you won’t often have such an extended period free of obligations… Seize the opportunity and turn what might seem like a failure into a fresh start!

What about my study allowances?

If you received a study allowance (scholarship) from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, you will have to repay a portion depending on the date you officially abandoned your studies:

• Before January 1st: 80% of the granted amount
• From January 1st onward: 50% of the amount may be claimed

What about my family allowances?

In principle, you won’t lose your family allowances if you drop your academic year, except if:

• You have not reached the required 27 credits;
• You register as a job seeker and exceed the maximum annual earnings.

For more details, you can consult the reference website for your region (remember, the management of family allowances was regionalized on 01/01/2020):

• For Brussels: the Iriscare website
• For Wallonia: the Aviq website
• For Flanders: Groeipakket.be

Can I get my registration fee back?

If you were enrolled in higher education and did not receive a study allowance, you had to pay a sum of money (the registration fee) to enroll.

In case you drop out, you will only be able to recover this fee if you withdraw before December 1st. In that event, you must sign a withdrawal certificate at your institution’s secretariat. After December, this refund option is lost.

Moreover, a withdrawal before December 1st will not count as a failed year in higher education. Since the number of failures in higher education is limited, this can be important.

HELP CENTERS FOR CAREER REORIENTATION

1. Infor Jeunes Centers

Infor Jeunes is a network of 15 youth information centers. To answer young people’s questions, these centers offer drop-in sessions where youth advisors provide free and anonymous assistance.

2. SIEP Centers

SIEP, the Information Service on Studies and Professions, is a non-profit organization whose main mission is to help young people with their studies, training, and career choices. SIEP offers individual and personalized information sessions with an information advisor.

Objectives:

• Answer any question by providing personalized guidance.
• Provide reliable, comprehensive, accurate, and detailed information.
• Help you reflect on a study, training, or career project.

In practice:

Visit one of the 8 SIEP centers: Brussels – Charleroi – Libramont – Liège – Mons – Namur – Mouscron – Wavre

• Free, anonymous, and no appointment needed
• Available throughout the school year, even during the holidays
• Assistance available at a SIEP center, by phone, email, or mail

3. Other Centers

In Louvain-La-Neuve:

Tremplin Pathway: Are you between 18 and 25 years old and questioning your choice of studies or career? Do you want to take a break and build a new project that truly reflects you? The Tremplin Pathway offers 14 weeks of training plus 1 week of volunteering to discover, experiment, and gradually build a personal and professional project through workshops, training sessions, and numerous testimonials.

Relais Training: Welcoming students regardless of the university or higher education institution where you began your studies. Their mission is to help you reorient and re-motivate yourself, enabling you to bounce back and master the art of being a student. Their website, www.cpfb.be, is very well designed—feel free to check it out. There are three sessions per year: from November to June, from February to June, and from April to June.

In Namur:

ReBOND Training: This program is exclusively for first-year students of universities and higher education institutions in the province of Namur. It offers 6 half-days per week and provides an individualized training and reorientation program. More information is available on their website.

DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO YOU

1. Training Programs

As an independent student

You can register as an independent student in a higher education institution or university to stay within the academic system. This option allows you to enhance your knowledge and prepare for your next academic year.

However, don’t expect to be exempt from courses for which you take an exam as an independent student. These exams will be considered null and void and will not earn you any diploma or certificate of achievement. On the bright side, they will give you a better understanding of the subjects offered in other faculties or institutions, helping you make the right choice for your future academic journey.

Short-term Training Programs

There are training programs that start at any time during the school year. Here are a few examples:

• Language courses: Many schools and institutions offer language classes.
• Continuing education programs: These are characterized by a skills-based approach, modular courses, and recognition of prior learning. They are primarily aimed at those already working who wish to perfect their skills in a particular area or “validate” an experience. However, you can also enroll for the joy of learning and to keep your skills sharp. In continuing education, training programs start throughout the year (although most enrollments occur in September and January). Check with an Infor Jeunes center or directly with a continuing education institute. These are known as modular training programs, where courses are organized into training units, and you can choose several units within a module. For a complete list of continuing education institutions, visit enseignement.be.
• Becode: Free training to become a developer of websites, mobile applications, and many other digital professions that enable you to quickly find a job or start your own business. Selection is based solely on motivation. So don’t hesitate—visit http://register.becode.org.

2. Working Abroad

Are you thirsty for adventure and eager to embark on a journey that goes far beyond the classroom? Then why not try working abroad!

TUI recruits many young candidates to become tour representatives in hotels. You’ll find that every day is different. Guiding travelers through exotic destinations, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring that every vacationer has unforgettable moments becomes your daily mission. You’ll meet many people and thrive in a new country. And if you speak Dutch, that’s even better!

In conclusion, becoming a representative at TUI abroad offers a unique adventure that combines work, travel, and discovery.

3. Volunteering

Do you want to gain new experiences and help an organization while enriching yourself personally? Why not try volunteering...

You can stay in Belgium or combine travel abroad with volunteering as part of international projects. Several organizations offer internships abroad, language stays, and volunteer opportunities in various sectors such as social work, construction, the environment, or archaeology. For more information, you can also visit an Infor Jeunes center, which can provide you with a list of projects and further guidance.

The Citizen Service

Do you want to take a break from your studies to help others and make the world a better place without having to travel to the other side of the globe? Then get involved with the Citizen Service! This is a six-month program offered to young people aged 18 to 25 who want to serve the community full-time by actively participating in civic projects. Want to know more? sign up for an information session near you!

4. Working

Working as a Student Employee

You can take on a student job before resuming your studies in September. You’ve come to the right site to find a student job! Visit the student jobs section and search based on your location and availability.

Attention: If you are no longer enrolled in an educational institution, you cannot undertake a student work contract. However, you can still work as an employee or laborer. Self-employment is also an option, though it requires several administrative steps.

Working as an Employee or Laborer

Do you want to enter the workforce and put your studies on hold? Register as a job seeker with FOREM for Wallonia and with ACTIRIS for Brussels.

Attention: You must be available on the job market, meaning you will no longer be considered a student. A waiting internship will be imposed based on your level of study; during this period, you will retain your right to family allowances and remain on your parents’ mutual insurance, provided your working hours do not exceed the allowed limit.

If you decide to resume your studies in September, you can always change your status back!