If you studied for 1 or more years while the student loan system was in place (2015-2023), you did not receive a basic grant during that period. You will may receive an allowance for this.
Conditions
- You did not receive a basic grant due to the loan system.
- You were entitled to student finance for at least 12 months of the official duration of your official programme.
- You obtained, or will obtain, your degree within the 10 year diploma period.
- 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 is €34.17 per month.
- You will only receive the allowance for the official duration of your study programme.
- The allowance will be offset against your debt. If you have no debt, the allowance will be paid out.
- You have obtained your diploma for a university of HBO programme.
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 = |
| 3-year university bachelor's degree with basic grant, master's under the loan system | 12 months = €410.04 |
| 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 in or before 2024? If so, you will automatically receive a notice about the allowance in January 2025. If you obtain your diploma in 2025 or later, you will get the notice after DUO has been informed about your diploma by the educational institution. 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 the allowance yourself.
Offsetting or payment
The allowance will first be offset against your debt, which will reduce the debt you incurred under the loan system. Don't you have any debt? Or is the allowance higher than your debt? Then you will receive the (remaining) allowance within 6 weeks after receiving the notice.
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.