All students in hbo and university, who are still entitled to a performance grant, will receive a basic grant again from academic year 2023-2024. Students who did not receive a basic grant during the loan system will also receive an allowance.

The Senate still needs to agree on the plans for the basic exchange, expected to be in June/July.

As a student, you can see in My DUO under ‘My Products’ how many remaining months of the performance grant you have. It is possible that you are only entitled to a student travel product and no longer entitled to a basic grant.

What is a basic grant?

A monthly student finance from DUO (Education Executive Agency) that is waived if you graduate on time. You must be a Dutch national or have the same rights. This means non-Dutch can also apply for student finance.

Wait a minute… that’s a loan, right?

Yes, the basic grant only becomes a gift if you complete a degree in higher education within 10 years. That 10-year period starts when you first receive study financing.

Is the supplementary grant also a loan?

Yes, that too is only cancelled once you have obtained a degree. And that has to be done within 10 years, no matter how long your course takes. Do you take a gap year? That’s your own choice, but that 10-year diploma deadline remains.

Why is the basic grant being reintroduced?

By reintroducing the basic grant, the student debt for students is reduced. With the basic grant, the government wants to ensure that students have fewer money worries. And that everyone has a chance to develop and continue learning.

How high will the basic grant be?

The basic grant is €110.30 for students who still live with their parents. If they are out of the house, the grant is €274.90. For students living away from home, an additional €164.30 will be added from September, due to high inflation.

How long do you get the basic grant for?

You get it for the ‘nominal’ duration of your education. So if your bachelor’s degree takes 4 years, you are entitled to 4 years of basic grant. If you follow it up with a one-year hbo-master’s degree, you get the basic grant for one year longer!

How high is a supplementary grant?

That depends. How much do your parents earn? Do you have brothers or sisters?

The maximum grant is €416 per month, if your parents together earn less than €35,226 per year. You can get a supplementary grant if your parents/carers earn up to €70,000. That used to be €53,900. The supplementary grant is converted from a loan to a gift if you graduate within 10 years.

Don’t forget to apply for the supplementary grant! Borrowing is a waste when you can also get the money ‘as a gift’ from DUO. It’s just a matter of ticking the box and DUO will basically do the rest. They will request your parents’ income details from the tax office.

Who is eligible for an allowance during the loan scheme?

If you studied during the academic years between 2015 and 2023, you received no money from the basic grant. That is why the government offers these students a financial allowance.

If you have been studying for longer, will you also get a basic grant in September?

Yes, but for a shorter period than those who start studying in September. Some students therefore put their study financing on pause for now, only to restart it later when the basic grant is back.

Can you still travel with ‘my student travel product’ when your studies are delayed?

The right to a student travel product always lasts one year longer than your nominal study duration. So in your first gap year, you can still travel for free. This is great if, for example, you are still doing an internship or if you are studying in another city. Please note, also for the travel product, you have to repay everything if you do not graduate within the 10-year term.

Sources: Higher Education Press Office (HOP), DUO, central government