This month, more than 800 million euros has been subtracted from the student debt of those who missed out on the basic grant. Students under the loan system are entitled to compensation, as determined by the government.
However, things went wrong for a group of 8,590 international students, writes Minister Eppo Bruins to the House of Representatives today. They received a notification, even though they were not eligible for the compensation.
Tuition fees
These European students were not entitled to full student finance but were only allowed to take out a loan for their tuition fees. That is where the mistake occurred, the minister explains. This group was accidentally included in this operation.
To complicate matters slightly, some of them were entitled to ordinary student finance for part of their study period, but not for the entire duration. They will therefore receive compensation, but less than DUO had indicated.
Correcting the mistake
DUO will rectify this as soon as possible, Bruins announces. These (former) students will receive a letter. If their student debt is indeed reduced, this will be undone within a few weeks.
“I am aware that errors can never be entirely ruled out in complex implementation processes involving many students”, writes the minister. “However, we must always strive to do better.”
Next step
DUO will soon take the next step, Bruins announces. An amount of 500 million euros will then be directed towards 240,500 former students without student debt or with a debt less than the amount they are receiving. They will receive the money either in part or in full in their accounts.
The first batches of students under the loan system will receive an additional amount: the study voucher of nearly 2,100 euros. This voucher has a different ‘target group’, writes the minister, so there has been no issue with that.
