When going to study abroad, it's good to know what to expect financially. As a fulltime EU/EEA student, you may be eligible for student finance. DUO will give you a small insight in the possibilities.
The organisation DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs), part of Dutch Ministery of Education, Culture and Science, is mostly known for providing students with student finance.*
Please be aware that you can apply for study finance (studiefinanciering) through DUO yourself, free of charge. We advise you to be very cautious with companies that provide paid assistance to (international) students for submitting their application. They charge a high commission for their service, while you are fully able to complete the application on your own. Questions? Please reach out via: [email protected].
*The information below was checked on 12 August 2025 and may have undergone changes in the meantime. No rights can be derived from this information.
Student finance consist of various components 👇
- Student finance Student travel product
The student travel product is part of student finance. This allows you to travel freely or with a discount on public transport. The student travel product can be or become a gift if you graduate within 10 years. The 10 years start from the 1st month that you receive student finance for higher education.
- Student finance Basic grant
The amount of the basic grant depends on your living situation; living with your parents or living away from home. The basic grant can be or become a gift if you graduate within 10 years. The 10 years start from the 1st month that you receive student finance for higher education.
- Student finance Supplementary grant
Whether you are entitled to a supplementary grant depends on the income of the (biological/adoptive) parents. We also take into account the number of children the parents are caring for, and whether the parents are repaying a student debt. The supplementary grant can be or become a gift if you graduate within 10 years. The 10 years start from the 1st month that you receive student finance for higher education.
- Student finance Interest bearing loan and tuition fee loan
If you need extra money for the course, you can borrow it. You do not have to borrow the maximum, less is allowed as well. This is determined by the student itself. The loan can be adjusted or cancelled monthly. The loan must always be repaid after the course, with interest.
If a student is following higher professional education or university, money can be borrowed to pay the tuition fees. We call this tuition fee loan credit. The amount of tuition fee loan credit a student receives depends on the type of tuition fees that they pay. The tuition fee credit must always be repaid after the course, with interest.
Want to find out if you are eligible for one of the components mentioned above or do you have any other questions?
Contact DUO here!Residing in Enschede? You are able to visit DUO at the city hall. Please make sure to schedule an appointment before visiting. Click to schedule appointment here.
Visit https://www.inburgeren.nl/en/contact/contacting-duo.jsp for more information or contact details.