Frequently Asked Questions Student Finance for Dutch Students Abroad

Question	Answer
What are the student finance conditions for Dutch students abroad?	There are several rules. If you have lived in the European Netherlands for at least three of the last six years, there are no additional requirements. If not, the requirements are: Having lived in an EEA country or Switzerland for three months yourself (a student); Language proficiency; "Connection with the Netherlands." The connection with the Netherlands exists if you, your partner, or your parent have lived in the Netherlands for three years.
Can my 21-year-old child, living in Greece, apply for and/or receive student finance? He wants to study in Greece and not in the Netherlands. He obviously has Dutch and Greek nationality.	In principle, this is possible, provided he meets the following conditions: he will be enrolled in a full-time study program at an accredited university of applied sciences (HBO) or university of applied sciences (WO), he is under 30, and he has Dutch nationality. In addition, your son will have to demonstrate proficiency in Dutch and prove his ties to the Netherlands. This question will be discussed in detail in this webinar and explained using several examples.
My son is Dutch and American. He's currently studying in the Netherlands and is almost finished with his degree at the University of Groningen. He wants to pursue a Master's degree in America. Will he receive student finance?	When your son applies for student finance or starts a new course of study, DUO will check whether it qualifies for student finance. We will also check whether he has any remaining years of eligibility for student finance.
My daughter needs to take some courses in Germany. The organization in question told her she could receive funding for those courses if she was registered in the Netherlands. Is this correct?	You cannot receive Dutch student finance for 'courses'. The requirement is a full-time study program.
I raised my children with Dutch language and culture, but they don't have a Dutch language diploma. How else can I demonstrate my connection to the Netherlands?	If your child can demonstrate proficiency in Dutch and a connection to the Netherlands, a language diploma isn't strictly necessary. This question will be addressed in detail in the webinar, under the section on studying abroad.
My daughter isn't offered the option to apply for student finance online through "My DUO" because she isn't registered with DUO yet. The only alternative is to use the forms?	If your daughter doesn't have a Citizen Service Number (BSN), the application must be submitted using the form. Only if she has both a DigiD and a Citizen Service Number (BSN) can she apply for student finance online. Although a Citizen Service Number (BSN) and DigiD aren't necessary for the application, it's easier to view your information online and avoid having to rely on mail.
Do you need a Dutch phone number to apply for DigiD? You'll receive an activation code, and that won't work with an American number.	If you live abroad, apply for DigiD via DigiD.nl . Then, collect an activation code by video calling Nederland Wereldwijd or by visiting a DigiD counter in the Netherlands or abroad. Use the activation code to activate your DigiD.
How do you prove your parents' taxable income?	A statement of income is only required when applying for a supplementary grant. A statement is not required for the basic grant. If parents have an income, DUO will request a tax return from the tax authorities of the country where the parent resides. If there is no income, a statement from the tax authorities stating "zero income" is sufficient.
Are A-levels in England considered comparable to vocational or higher professional education (MBO) and is student finance available for these?	No, A-levels are equivalent to secondary education in the Netherlands, which does not include student finance. However, in the Netherlands, there is a student allowance for secondary school students over 18.
If there is a right to student finance in the country of residence, can a choice be made?	Yes, you can choose. However, student finance from abroad cannot be combined with Dutch student finance.
My daughter is British and lives in the Netherlands. She has a permanent residence permit and will receive a loan from the UK for her upcoming studies in Paris. Can she also apply for student finance in the Netherlands? Because student finance isn't a loan, right?	Student finance can also be a loan. In the Netherlands, student finance consists of several components, including a loan and a tuition fee loan. These are also loans. Students are not permitted to receive student finance from another country and must choose the country from which they will receive the finance.
Do you also receive student finance if your parents receive child benefit abroad?	Yes, that's possible. As long as it doesn't involve student finance, you can apply for student finance alongside your foreign child benefit.
Do you need a Dutch bank account to receive student finance payments, or is a SEPA bank account sufficient?	A Dutch bank account is not required, a SEPA bank account is also possible.
To what extent can I apply for student finance from DUO for a university study in Greece? The country isn't listed by Nuffic.	Not all international programs are on that list. When applying for student finance, DUO submits a request to Nuffic, which will assess the relevant international program and add it to the list.
Which countries are part of the European Economic Area (EEA)?	All EU countries plus Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland.
Is England no longer part of the EU or EEA for student finance since Brexit?	That is correct, since Brexit the entire UK is no longer part of the EU, including in terms of student finance criteria.
What is meant by the European part of the Netherlands?	The Netherlands (so NOT the Caribbean Netherlands).
We don't file taxes abroad. How can I still help my children apply for a supplementary grant?	You will need to provide proof of your income. If this isn't possible with a declaration from the tax authorities in your country of residence, please contact DUO. A list of payslips, annual statements, etc. may suffice.
What is the tuition fee in the Netherlands?	Tuition fees depend on the type of program. A lower amount applies to a vocational (MBO) program than to a higher professional (HBO) or university (WO) program. These fees are also adjusted annually. For the most up-to-date tuition fees, please visit www.duo.nl.
Can I still apply for student finance for 2023/2024 or only for future studies?	Student finance can be applied for during the current academic year, retroactively to the beginning of that year. This means it is no longer possible to apply for previous years.
Can you further define “study financing” abroad?	The amount of student financing and the components are the same as for a study in the Netherlands.
Can you also apply for just the basic grant?	Yes, that's possible. The parts can be requested separately.
How do you prove you've lived in the Netherlands for three months? Do you need to be registered?	Yes, DUO checks your registration in the GBA (municipal records database). The GBA also shows when and where you lived in the past.
My son has a Belgian father and a Dutch mother. He only has a Belgian identity card. Does my son now have Dutch nationality?	Yes, because of his Dutch mother, your son has Dutch nationality at birth. Having a Belgian ID doesn't change this. He falls under one of the exceptions where Dutch law permits dual nationality. Therefore, he is also entitled to a Dutch ID.
Can my daughter with Dutch nationality, born and always lived in Brazil, pursue higher education in Portugal with Dutch student finance after having lived in Portugal for 3 months?	After living in Portugal (EEA country) for 3 months, this is indeed possible, provided that the other conditions are also met (language requirement, ties with the Netherlands).
Can I apply for a loan for education abroad with higher tuition fees than in the Netherlands?	For foreign tuition fees, a maximum of 5x the amount of the Dutch tuition fee can be borrowed, provided the other requirements for student financing are met.
My daughter will graduate from high school next month. She plans to start a degree program in September, but she's not sure yet what she'll be studying at or at which university. Can we apply for student finance yet?	Yes, that's indeed possible, and DUO even recommends it. For student finance, please indicate the study program they're likely to pursue. Everything will be put in place, and if the program changes, it can easily be updated by reporting the change.
My son is going to pursue a dual program (working and studying) that will also include a salary. Will this affect his student grant contribution?	No, there is no longer an additional earnings limit for students.
Does a student have to live away from home to be eligible for student finance?	DUO considers a student to be living away from home if they are not living with either or both of their parents. A student living at home is only eligible for the (lower) grant for students living at home.

Further information:

Contact DUO: https://duo.nl/particulier/contact

Are you planning to pursue a full vocational (MBO) program abroad? Whether you'll receive student finance depends on the country and the program. You must also meet the general conditions for student finance. For more information, see: https://duo.nl/particulier/studiefinanciering-buitenland/volledige-mbo-opleiding-in-het-buitenland.jsp

You can download an application form for MBO studies abroad below: https://duo.nl/images/aanvraag-studiefinanciering-beroepsonderwijs-voor-opleidingen-in-het-buitenland.pdf

Are you planning to pursue a full-time degree program at a university of applied sciences or university abroad? Whether you'll receive student finance depends on the country and the program. You must also meet the other requirements. For more information, see: https://duo.nl/particulier/studiefinanciering-buitenland/volledige-opleiding-aan-hbo-of-universiteit-in-het-buitenland.jsp

Below you can download an application form for higher education abroad: https://duo.nl/images/aanvraag-studiefinanciering-hoger-onderwijs-voor-opleidingen-in-het-buitenland.pdf

Are you just starting a vocational, higher professional, or university education? You'll have a lot to deal with. A key question for almost everyone: how will I pay for it? What do you know about student finance? https://duo.nl/meer-dan-lenen

Information about a citizen service number and DigiD abroad: https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/digid-buiten-nederland/hoe-aanvragen

A credential evaluation compares your foreign diploma with the Dutch education system. It indicates to which Dutch educational level your foreign diploma is comparable. You can find all the information about credential evaluation at https://idw.nl/ . You can also request a credential evaluation here.