DUO for international students: student finance and free travel
EU students who work a bit can get Dutch student finance and the free public transport product. Most don't know. Here's who qualifies and how to apply.
Who can get it
DUO is the Dutch government's student finance office. As an international you qualify for studiefinanciering (a loan, a supplementary grant if your parents earn little, and the student travel product) if one of these is true:
- You're an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen and you work at least 32 hours a month (or have a partner or parent working in NL), or
- You've lived in the Netherlands for 5 years or more, or
- You hold certain residence permits (family, asylum). A study permit alone does not qualify.
What it's worth
The travel product alone (free trains, buses, trams on weekdays or weekends) is worth over €100 a month. Add the supplementary grant if your parents' income is low, and a loan at a low interest rate if you want it. Together it can cover your rent.
The 32-hour catch
DUO checks your hours every month. Fall under 32 and you lose the month, and they'll want the travel product back for that month too. Keep payslips. A steady 8-hour weekend job is the usual way.
How to apply
With DigiD at duo.nl. Apply the month you start working; it can be backdated only a little. Upload your employment contract and payslips when asked.
Tuition fee loan (collegegeldkrediet)
EU students can borrow the statutory tuition fee from DUO even without working. Non-EU students cannot.