Special Status

Informal Caregiver Status

Are you caring for someone close to you who needs extra help, and are you experiencing difficulties balancing your studies with your caregiving responsibilities as a result?  

If so, we will determine how we can support you. This may involve providing information relevant to your situation, offering a customized program, arranging special accommodations within the educational setting, and/or referring you to support services within or outside of Odisee. 

Students must submit their application via the student status application system, no later than the deadline for submitting the ISP (before 15 october if you want to start in the first semester, before 25 february if you want to start in the second semester) or as soon as possible after the circumstances have arisen.

With this status, you can apply for accommodations and/or obtain a certificate for your scholarship from the Flemish government.

Jongere

Facilities

👉 What are special accommodations? 

An accommodation refers to provided assistance, an adjustment, 
 on the basis of a valid reason. In your situation, this means that we will assess whether any accommodations are needed to make it easier for you to combine your study program with your caregiving responsibilities. This involves individual, tailor-made arrangements. 

Please note: submitting an application does not automatically mean you will receive these accommodations. Together we will take a broad perspective to determine what will best help you. 

Just like any Odisee student, you can make use of inclusive facilities. These are available to all students, even if you do not have special status. 

👉 Who can apply for this?

Informal caregiver status can be granted to students who provide unpaid care for someone in their immediate circle, which has a significant impact on the student’s time. This may involve someone who: 

  • has a long-term illness (at least three months) or is physically or mentally vulnerable;  
  • lives with a disability;
  • is neurodivergent, for example, due to autism, ADHD, or dyslexia.  

👉 How can you apply for this? 

If you meet the above conditions, you can apply for the “Informal Caregiver Status” through the status application process to receive benefits. Always follow the step-by-step guide below when submitting your application! 
This status must be reapplied for each academic year upon re-enrolment.


Download the Informal Caregiver Status Application Form

  1. You fill out Part 1 yourself and sign it.  
  2. Have a licensed healthcare provider fill out and sign Part 2 of the form: 
    • the primary care physician of the person you’re caring for OR
    • the home care service, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist of the person you’re caring for or of yourself

Open the Articles of Association application (available starting August 17)

  1. Log in with your Odisee account

    Not registered with Odisee yet? No problem! Sign up here.
    If you wish to make, please use the same account information. 
     

  2. Select the status for which you wish to apply
  3. Fill in the requested information
  4. Click “Save Draft” (button at the bottom right)
  5. Upload your signed application form to the “Documents” tab
  6. Next, you must ‘Submit’ your application (button at the bottom right) 

After submitting, you’ll be taken to the overview page where you’ll see your application listed with the status “submitted.” 

As soon as you submit your application, we will review it for completeness and eligibility. 

If you do not meet the requirements to apply for this status or have not uploaded the necessary or correct documents, we will contact you. Keep an eye on your inbox. Be sure to check your spam folder as well. 

If your application is in order and you meet the requirements, your application will be processed and approved.

Once your application has been approved, you will receive a certificate in your email inbox confirming that the status has been granted to you.

You can also request a copy of this certificate at a later date through the self-service application (https://www.odisee.be/attesten-en-studiebewijzen).

The care coordinator will contact you directly to schedule an appointment to discuss the available services.

Certificate for your Scholarship from the Flemish Government

If you are enrolled for fewer than 54 credits, you will no longer be eligible for a scholarship from the Flemish Government. This condition does not apply to certain exceptional categories. With a certificate confirming your Special Status, you can still apply for a scholarship as a student in one of these exceptional categories.

The deadlines listed on this page apply only to obtaining accommodations at Odisee. If you need a certificate for the application of your scholarship from the Flemish Government, you may do so at any time during the academic year. 

More info about thescholarship from the Flemish Government
After approval, download your certificate via the self-service application

Do you have any questions?

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