Student Finance: options, requirements and how do I apply?

Living in the Netherlands as a international student can be quite expensive. You have to pay for your food, rent, clothes and of course all the things and trips you want to do with friends. In this blog we will explain to you what options there are in the Netherlands for study financing.

If you come from EU/EEA or if you are a Swiss students you can apply for most student finance in the Netherlands as a Dutch citizan. Even if you are non-EU/EEA but it follows different standards.

Student financing

Student financing is a form of student aid offered by Dutch Ministry of Education and Culture (DUO).

In the Netherlands, DUO controles all things related to studies for higher eduction.

There are a few base requirements to be eligble for student financing:

• You are a Dutch national / have the same rights as a Dutch citizian or are an EU/EEA/Swiss student.
• You are registred for a full-time or dual degree programme in the Netherlands for a High Education University (HBO) or a research-oriented university (WO).
• You are under 30 years old
• You are registred at a muncipility, you have a BSN and a DigiD.
• You have a Dutch bank account.
• You work at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands or have a monthly income of at least 50% of the social assistance standard
• If you work less than 56 hours per month or if your income is less than 50% of the social assistance norm, DUO will assess your situation separately. Your employment contract must start on the 1st of the month. If your contract starts later, your study financing will start one month later.

Types of Dutch Student Financing

• Supplementary grant
  This grant is a monthly allowance the government gives you for your monthly living expenses. The amount of the grant depends on your personal situation but can be a few hundred euros. This grant is a “gift” if you finish your studies in 10 years.
  However, you only qualify for this if your parents income is less than €50,000 per year.
  
  
• Regular loans
  A regular loans is similar to a supplementary grant, but the regular loans will incur student debts. After you graduate you still have a debt of this loan and need to pay this back. However, you can only apply for a regular loan if you are a EU/EEA or Swiss national or you have lived for more than 5 years in the Netherlands or your work at least 56 hours per month.
  
  
• Tuition fees loan
  Just as a regular loan, you also have to pay this back after graduating, but the interest rates for tuition fees loans are lower than regular loans.
  But, there are a few requirements you have to meet, such as you are under 30 years old, you are EU/EEA or Swiss, you study fulltime at HBO or WO and you pay tuition fees in the Netherlands.
  
  

How to apply for student financing?

If you are applicable for student financing in the Netherlands then you can apply for student financing. But how?
In order to apply you need:

• BSN
• Valid residence permit

To apply for student finance there are a few more steps to take:

1. Log in DUO, you need your BSN and DigiD
2. Go to “mijn producten” (my products) then “Studiefinanciering” (Student finance).
3. Click on studiefinanciering at the top right of the screen.
4. Find the “nu aanvragen”(request now) section for each type of student financing.
5. Select the type of student financing you are permitted and fill in all the details.

If you have any questions about applying for student financing, contact DUO for more information.

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