Financial assistance

Student Grant (Studiefinanciering) for EU/EEA students

Full-time students may apply for a student grant, which includes a student travel card (Studenten OV-chipkaart).

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

You must be a citizen of an EU or EEA country
You must be a full-time student on a higher education course in the Netherlands which is eligible for a student grant
You must have at least 32 hours of employment per month
You must be under the age of 30 when you apply for a student grant
You must hold a Dutch bank account in your own name.

NOTE:

The Dutch government is currently preparing to make changes in the Dutch study financing model for EU/EEA students. You must have at least 56 hours of employment per month instead of 32 hours per month. It is not clear when this change will take place.

Do you not meet these requirements? See the nationality chart of the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO, formerly IB-Groep) for all the information.

You may receive a student grant for a maximum of 48 months and after your student grant ends a loan for a maximum of 36 months. A student grant is a performance-related scholarship. Students will first receive this in the form of an interest-bearing loan. Based on your academic record, this loan may be converted into a grant (whereby the accrued interest will be waived) if you are awarded a (master) degree within the set degree period (diplomatermijn). All higher education courses have a degree period of 10 years, starting from when you first receive a student grant.

The requirement is that you must obtain a final degree (i.e., a master’s degree). Students who fail to meet these requirements will have to repay the student grant in full, including interest. They will also have to repay the sum of € 79.00 (in 2007) for every month that they held a student travel card. Students who obtain a bachelor's degree can request the DUO-IB-Groep to convert the loan of the first 36 months into a grant.

NOTE: The Dutch government is currently preparing to make changes in the Dutch study financing model. Some of these plans effect all students (in intermediate and higher vocational education, and in university education) while others will only effect students in higher vocational and university education. Please read more about this on the DUO website (information in Dutch only).

Loan tuition fees for EU/EEA students

From 1 September 2007 EU/EEA students who are not entitled to full study grants for a Dutch course in higher education can apply for a loan to pay their tuition fees. This loan is known as `loan tuition fees’ (in Dutch: collegegeldkrediet) and is paid monthly. You repay the sum you borrowed after your studies. More information you can find here.

Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO, formerly IB-Groep)

For up-to-date information on all matters relating to financial assistance, consult the DUO-IB-groep, which is responsible for the implementation of the studiefinanciering. The DUO-IB-groep provides information on financial assistance in a number of ways, including leaflets, brochures, information bulletins, and via the internet. An important source of information are also the DUO-IB-groep bulletins that every student receives personally: it is important to read these carefully and to save them!

Students who have specific questions may call the DUO-IB-groep, visit one of the service offices or send an e-mail message. For really personal issues, a visit to the service office or service desk remains the best option. The service office provides both general and individual information and advice on financial assistance, procedures and options for appeal. The office can be approached for answers to questions relating to specific situations concerning the level and duration of financial assistance, and one’s rights (and obligations). The office also provides assistance in communicating changes and for students who wish to apply for the so-called substantiation clause.



Service office Sittard:	Walramstraat 11, 6131 BK Sittard
Opening hours:	Monday through Friday 10.00 - 17.00 hours
Telephone consultation:	Monday through Friday 09:00 -17:00 hours
Telephone:	050 - 599 77 55
Internet site:	http://www.ib-groep.nl