As a national of an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you have a chance to get ~ ā¬315 per month (academic year of 2025/26) and free public transport around the country, among other things.
Who is eligible?
Your work contract must start on the first of the month. If it starts later, you are only eligible for the month after.
Non-EU students are generally NOT eligible for student finance. Holders of a residence permit type I and nationals of the UK are also eligible under specific conditions.
Have you previously taken out student finance? There are limits to the number of months you can make use of certain parts of student finance. They usually always cover 4 years of education. Learn more here: https://www.duo.nl/particulier/student-finance/eligible-for-how-long.jspĀ
What does it entail?
The amounts are based on the academic year of 2025/26. You can mix and match what you want to request.
- Basic grant: ā¬315 per month (if you live away from your parents)
- Supplementary grant: up to 457.60 EUR per month (depending on your parentsā income)
- Loan: 293.67 EUR per month
- Tuition fees loan: 210.83 EUR per month
- Student travel product (free public transport in NL on weekdays OR the weekend, discounted on the other option)
More information: https://www.duo.nl/particulier/student-finance/amounts.jsp
Gift or repayment
Assuming you are graduating within 10 years of starting student finance, the basic grant, supplementary grant, and student travel product are converted to a gift = free money.
The loan and tuition fees loan have to be paid back with interest.
If you fail to obtain your diploma within 10 years, you have to pay back the full amount and costs for the student travel product with interest.
More information: https://www.duo.nl/particulier/student-finance/gift-or-repayment.jsp
Can I just request the student travel product?
Yes, you can just apply for the student travel product and travel around the Netherlands. The same requirements and rules regarding repayment/gift apply.
I am going on an exchange semester
If you are spending a semester abroad, you can still receive student finance and compensation for the student travel product during your studies abroad. While you do not have to meet the hour requirements during your exchange, you still have to meet them during the month before.
How do I apply?
Free money sounds great, right? Letās apply. You need to be registered and have a BSN and DigiD to apply: https://www.duo.nl/particulier/student-finance/apply.jspĀ
Log in with your DigiD and request student finance. You might be asked to fill out a PDF form and send it to DUO instead of using the online tool.
Expect a request to send in required documents such as your ID card, contract, payslips, and more. See āDocumentary evidence for EU/EEA citizens (new application): https://www.duo.nl/particulier/student-finance/eligibility.jsp
DUO takes extremely long to process applications. Expect to wait at least 8 weeks. The grants will be paid retrospectively for the months since your application. The student travel product can be activated once you have been approved for student finance.
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