Every financial scheme is subject to strict conditions in order to qualify for it. Ask your school for help where possible and make sure that you report any problems in time. A student advisor or student counsellor can often refer you to the person who knows about financial possibilities within your school and can sometimes help you with your application. For example, in case of an expected delay. This will prevent you from being too late in applying for these facilities!
Accommodation schemes
Every financial scheme is subject to strict conditions in order to qualify for it. Ask your school for help where possible and make sure that you report any problems in time. A student advisor or student counsellor can often refer you to the person who knows the financial possibilities within your school and can sometimes help you with the application. For example, in case of an expected delay. This will ensure that you are not too late in applying for these facilities!
National arrangements
Study delay: from DUO
If your studies are delayed because of your disability or if you have to stop them altogether, DUO (Education Executive Agency) can provide financial assistance via the Performance Grant Scheme. The dean or student counsellor is responsible for applying for the Performance Grant Facility; together with DUO, they will assess whether a student satisfies the conditions. One example of this is that you can apply to DUO for a one-year extension of your performance-related grant. In addition, if you fall under the loan system, (part of) your loan may be remitted if you do not obtain your degree within 10 years as a result of the special circumstances. Summarised, the following is possible from DUO:
- Extension of the performance-based grant
- Extension of the diploma term
- Conversion of the performance grant into a gift
- New entitlement to study financing
Please note! The financial arrangements described above are subject to various conditions. DUO will ultimately assess whether you comply with these conditions. For all possibilities and explanations, see the DUO website.
It is also good to know that the application for the Performance Grant Scheme runs via your student counsellor. You should therefore first contact this person at your educational institution if you want to apply for the Performance Grant Facility.
Study debt
The normal procedure in the event of being unable to repay study debt is that the monthly amount could be adjusted or a payment break could be requested (a period in which no payments need to be made) or a remission could be applied for.
With regard to study debt, DUO could waive all or part of the study debt. This waiver can be requested in 3 situations:
- The student debt cannot be repaid within the agreed period.
- The person concerned dies.
- The person cannot repay the debt for medical reasons.
For all possibilities and explanations, see the DUO website.
Schemes of educational institutions
Profileringsfonds
The Profileringsfonds allows you to receive compensation from your educational institution if you are delayed for a good reason. For example, because you are ill, pregnant or have a disability. In order to receive this compensation, you must at least meet the following conditions:
- You have paid tuition fees for your course
- You receive study financing
- Your studies are delayed due to special circumstances, such as a disability or (chronic) illness, or because of pregnancy or childbirth
Every board of an educational institution must make a provision for financial support that students can apply for. Students can obtain this financial support if special circumstances arise. If, due to special circumstances, you cannot graduate within the nominal study duration, you may be able to appeal to this fund.
Ask your educational institution for help where possible and make sure that you report any problems in time. A student advisor or student counsellor can often refer you to the person who knows about financial possibilities within your school and can sometimes help you with your application. For example, in case of expected study delay. This will ensure that you are not too late in applying for these facilities!
Profileringsfonds international students
If you are not entitled to Dutch student finance from DUO, and a study delay incurs, you might be entitled to a grant that is called ‘Profileringsfonds’ in Dutch. Every higher education institution in the Netherlands has the obligation to have this fund in place for students. This fund provides financial compensation for study delay due to personal circumstances. To be entitled to this grant, you are required to tell the student counsellor about your circumstances (such as disability, pregnancy or being a caregiver) that lead to study delay as soon as possible.
Have a look at the other facilities, accommodations or schemes that might be helpful for you, too.
Tips for financial possibilities
What should I do if I incur a study delay?
If your study progress has been delayed or you expect to incur a delay in the future, it is a good idea to tell your study adviser or student counsellor about this as soon as possible. That way, they can talk to you about what will happen if you incur a study delay and can help you apply for a performance grant from DUO.
What are the criteria to qualify for a financial scheme?
Every scheme has strict criteria in place to determine whether you are eligible. For this reason, you should find out the original source for each financial aid scheme and ask your educational institution for help wherever possible!