Education & Financial Support

Q - "how can I financially afford to take 2/3 years off to study without running into serious debt?"

A - Take a long cold shower now and forget about having me support you through my (already ridiculously high) taxes. In any case, you can't just voluntarily give up work and start claiming chomage. It doesn't work like that.

Now that you have a goal to work towards, start saving and work another 2 - 3 years. Being financially careful you could easily save enough. Move to a cheaper apartment, dump any planned holidays, buy cheaper groceries, get rid of your car, etc. etc.

Alternatively, - like many people do, while continuing to work full or part time, go to night school, part time study or do a "Open University" course.

Indeed you suggested options for funding your choice which would be paid by tax payers.

Take a career break. Studies is one of the few reasons left for getting a career break. Funding your studies will however have to come from you.

I'm not aware of any grants available to mature students and in the current climate for many students at all. I think you're being optimistic to think they exist.
You don't indicate if your wanting to go deeper into what you're doing or want a different path entirely. If the former would look for funding from within the industry you work in maybe.
As already mentioned career break is possible, but you have to self fund.
Can you work part time and study part time? That would at least solve you funding issue.

Ps I was a mature student in the UK stacked up thousands in student loans and live off of spouse and owing to moving back here I have had to repay as I'm a
Trailing spouse. My kids are both seriously in debt as a result of studying in the UK i think decades ago you could get finically help or scholarship for post graduate programs but they are few and far between and don't pay the rent or bills in any way. In a land where benefits are the norm why do think that this will exist?

Are not

And haven't had

Hi, First of all ignore the trolls who just like to pass judgment onto others. I think in the 20 years you probably paid enough taxes to be able to at least ask this very valid question. Unfortunately, the Belgian system is not designed for life long learners or people who want to make sure they are relevant to the job market of the future. It assumes that you go to school to get a job and once you have a job, you are set for the rest of your life. It really depends on your current profession and the field you want to enter. If you cannot get your employer to sponsor you (some do for specific relevant programs), I would suggest you go to actiris (if you are based in Brussels) and ask them if you would qualify for any education if you get laid off. If I am not mistaken they have a list of jobs that are considered "irrelevant" and can qualify for retraining/ education so you can change your profession while you are on unemployment.

I am assuming you are an EU citizen.

Kot + university fees + living expenses = 6000/year.

However you'll need to rent something you use as a primary residence all year round (you can't do that in a kot), so look at budgetting close to €9000/year.

Ask the institution you are wanting to study at if they have any ideas for financing, but I suspect your options are either save up or a private loan.

You can get a grant in Belgium, but the criteria for qualifying is strict, and the amounts are low, so I don't think this will be an option for you.
See: https://www.belgium.be/fr/formation/cout_des_etudes/bourses_d_etudes

You could also look at studying somewhere where you can get a student loan, like The Netherlands.

Unreal that this question could even be asked.