If you studied for 1 or more years under the student loan system (2015-2023), you did not receive a basic grant during that period. You will may receive an allowance for this.
Conditions
- You were entitled to a performance-related grant, but did not receive a basic grant due to the loan system.
- You were entitled to a performance-related grant for at least 12 months. A performance-related grant refers to the basic grant, supplementary grant and/or the student travel product.
- You obtained, or will obtain, a diploma within the 10 year diploma period. A possible extension of the diploma term is added to the 10 years.
- The degree you obtained is for a recognised Bachelor's programme, Master's programme, or associate degree.
It doesn’t matter if you applied for student finance or not. If you were only entitled to a tuition fees loan or a lifelong learning credit, you are not eligible for this allowance.
The study programme must be recognised by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. A foreign diploma must be equal to a Dutch higher education diploma. This will be evaluated by Nuffic Link opent externe pagina .
How much?
- The allowance depends on the number of months you are entitled to it. It is €34.17 per month.
- You will only receive the allowance for the number of months you were entitled to a performance-related grant under the loan system. This is a maximum of 4 years, unless you received more months of a performance-related grant due to a master's program lasting longer than 1 year or due to special circumstances.
- In some situations, the 4-year period is shorter. This depends on your study program or diploma. Check the example situations for more information.
Example situations
| Example situations | Allowance
|
|---|---|
| 3-year bachelor's degree fully under the loan system | 3 x 12 months = |
| 4-year bachelor's degree fully under the loan system | 4 x 12 months = |
| 3-year bachelor's degree and 1-year master's degree fully under the loan system | 4 x 12 months = |
| 4-year HBO bachelor's degree and 1-year university master's degree fully under the loan system | 4 x 12 months = |
| 3-year university bachelor's degree with basic grant, master's under the loan system | 12 months = €410.04 |
| Multiple studies: 2 degrees, 3-year university bachelor's degree fully under the loan system, no master's degree | 3 x 12 months = |
| Multiple studies: 3-year university bachelor's degree and 4-year university bachelor's degree fully under the loan system, no master's degree | 4 x 12 months = |
| Associate degree under the loan system | maximum 24 months = |
| Received an extension of the performance grant | Additional months are included |
Automatic notification or self-application
Did you receive student finance and obtain your diploma? If so, you will automatically receive a notice about the allowance.
If you obtained your diploma outside of the Netherlands, you will need to send a certified copy of your diploma to DUO if you have not done so already.
If you did not receive student finance, you must apply for the allowance yourself in Mijn DUO.
No access to Mijn DUO
If you have no access to Mijn DUO, you can use the form Application allowance for lack of basic grant.
Would you like to know if you are eligible for the allowance? Follow the steps in the tool (only in Dutch) and you will immediately see whether you need to apply for it yourself.
Offsetting or payment
The allowance will first be offset against your debt, which will reduce the debt accrued during the study. Don't you have any debt? Or is the allowance higher than your debt? Then you will receive the (remaining) allowance within 7 weeks after receiving the notice.
If your monthly instalments can be reduced due to the adjustment, you will automatically be notified of this.
Impact on income or assets
The allowance does not count as income, but it may still affect your assets. This could influence the amount of tax you owe or impact eligibility for schemes where assets are a determining factor.
Tax Box 3
Does your total assets exceed the tax-free allowance Link opent externe pagina after receiving the allowance? If so, the allowance will count as assets for taxes under Box 3 Link opent externe pagina .
Schemes where assets are a factor
An increase in assets may affect schemes that take your assets into account, such as benefits, municipal schemes, or personal contributions for care paid to the CAK. The relevant authority can provide you with more information on this.