Summary
Are you learning or studying a shortage occupation in the German-speaking Community? Or you have been living in the German-speaking Community for at least six months when you first apply and are enrolled as a student of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing or midwifery?
Then you can apply to the Ministry for financial support for your training. You will receive 350 euros per month. In return, you will work in the German-speaking Community for at least 5 years (at least half-time) in the 10 years following your successful graduation. Alternatively, you can pay back part or all of the training grant. Who benefits? You and the German-speaking Community.
In detail
- You are learning a shortage occupation in the German-speaking Community and you are no longer required to attend school.
- You have been living in the German-speaking Community for at least 6 months and you are regularly enrolled as a student of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing or midwifery
You are studying or training full-time in the German-speaking Community.
It doesn't matter where you live. In practice, this means:
You are enrolled in the 7th year of standard secondary vocational education.
You have an apprenticeship contract or training contract with the Institute for Education and Training in SMEs (IAWM).
You are a regular student at the Autonomen Hochschule Ostbelgien (AHS).
It is important that you:
are no longer required to attend school.
you are learning or studying a shortage occupation, i.e. an occupation in which there is a shortage of skilled labour.
You are regularly enrolled as a student of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing or midwifery.
It is important that you:
are studying at a state-recognised higher education institution.
are studying in the European Union, another signatory state to the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
have been living in the German-speaking Community for at least six months when you apply for the first time
If you receive the DuO training grant, you will in return work in the German-speaking Community for at least 5 years respectively 3 years in the 10 years following your successful graduation. You will receive 350 euros per month during your training and East Belgium will receive urgently needed skilled labour. Alternatively, you can pay back part or all of the training grant.
You will receive 350 euros per month during the standard training period. This period can be extended by a maximum of one year.
You will receive the grant from 1 September at the earliest in the year in which you apply for DuO for the first time. You must reapply for the training grant every year. If your application is approved, you will in principle also receive the financial aid during the school holidays until you successfully complete your training.
The monthly amount is always 350 euros, regardless of whether you are doing an apprenticeship or studying, regardless of the profession and regardless of your school and university grades.
You apply for the DuO training grant every year between 1 July and 15 November. You submit the application online or in paper form to the Ministry. You can submit the first application in the first or a later year of training or study.
The ministry will check whether your details are complete and correct. It will then ask the relevant educational institution to confirm your enrolment. If the application meets the criteria and the confirmation has been received, your application will be approved and you will receive 350 euros per month.
If you are still a minor, your legal guardians must be in agreement. However, the DuO education grant will only be paid into a SEPA account in your name.