DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) is the Dutch government agency that manages student finance (studiefinanciering). If you qualify, you can combine grants, a student travel product, and loans to help cover living and study costs.
Not everyone qualifies, especially many non-EU students. If you don't meet the nationality/residence conditions for student finance, you may still be eligible for a tuition fees loan (collegegeldkrediet) for HBO/WO.
What DUO Student Finance Includes
You can apply for one or more components (you choose what you need)
Basic grant (basisbeurs)
Amount depends on whether you live with your parents or live away from home. For HBO/WO it's usually a performance grant: it becomes a gift if you graduate within 10 years; otherwise you repay it (plus interest).
Supplementary grant (aanvullende beurs)
Extra support based mainly on your parents' income (DUO typically uses income from 2 years earlier). Also becomes a gift if you graduate within 10 years (HBO/WO).
Student travel product (studentenreisproduct)
A travel product for public transport (train/bus/tram/metro). Also part of the performance grant: gift if you graduate within 10 years, otherwise repay.
Student Transport (OV-chipkaart)Interest-bearing loan (rentedragende lening)
Optional monthly loan on top of grants. Repayment rules depend on your DUO repayment system.
DUO repayment systemTuition fees loan (collegegeldkrediet)
Loan to cover (part of) your tuition fee amount. You can apply even if you don't meet the nationality requirements for full student finance (HBO/WO).
Tuition Fees: EU vs Non-EUHow Much Can You Get (HBO/WO Examples)
DUO publishes maximum monthly amounts. For HBO and university, DUO lists these figures for 2026:
January – August 2026 (HBO/WO)
September – December 2026 (HBO/WO)
Other components unchanged in the DUO table shown.
Your actual amount depends on your situation (e.g., parents' income for the supplementary grant).
Who Qualifies (Overview)
General conditions (everyone)
You typically need to be:
Nationality / residence status (key part for internationals)
You may qualify if you:
EU/EEA/Swiss/Brexit students: the most common routes
DUO lists these main routes:
- You have lived in the Netherlands 5+ consecutive years
- You are a migrant worker (or your parent/partner is) with: paid work of at least 32 hours/month, or income of at least 50% of the social security norm
DUO states that in 2026, 50% of the social security norm is €700.75/month (or €173/month if you're under 21).
If you work fewer than 32 hours/month: DUO explains special assessment rules (e.g., 24–32 hours can be assessed; under 24 hours is usually not eligible unless you can prove migrant-worker status).
UK nationals: DUO notes you also need a Dutch Article 50 TEU or the so-called Brexit residence document (or your parent/partner needs it).
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
Make sure you have BSN + DigiD login ready
To use Mijn DUO, you need a BSN and either the DigiD app or DigiD with SMS verification (or a European digital identity, eIDAS).
See StudyPath: Getting DigiD
Apply via Mijn DUO (apply early)
DUO advises applying in time (preferably 8–12 weeks before your start date). You choose which components you want.
Upload supporting documents (if required)
For EU / EEA / Swiss / Brexit applications, DUO lists typical documents such as:
- Employment contract (signed)
- Latest payslip + matching bank statement
- If working fewer than 32 hours: payslips + bank statements for the last 6 months (where applicable)
- If applying for the supplementary grant: proof of parents' income (DUO uses income from 2 years earlier, e.g., 2026 uses 2024)
DUO also states it regularly checks working hours and income, even if you only have the travel product.
Retroactive applications (if you're late)
You can still apply for past months up to the start of the current academic year (for HBO / WO: from 1 September), but you cannot apply retroactively for the student travel product.
Grants vs Loans: What Becomes a Gift
Performance Grant System (HBO/WO)
For HBO/WO, DUO explains that the basic grant, supplementary grant, and student travel product become a gift if you obtain your diploma within 10 years (the "performance grant" system). If you don't graduate in time, you repay them (plus interest).
Repayment Terms (What to Expect After Graduation)
DUO repayment rules depend on which system applies to your debt (DUO shows different rule sets like SF35 and SF15).
Common features DUO highlights:
You Can Work While Receiving DUO
Since 2020, DUO states your income has no effect on student finance (the "additional earnings threshold" no longer applies).
Work rights still depend on your nationality/residence permit — see StudyPath: Working on Student Visa