Second compensation for disadvantaged students over 2,100 euros

The new cabinet has approved the second compensation scheme for disadvantaged students. They will receive 44.50 euros per missed month of basic grant.

“For students who studied without a basic grant, it is bitter that the basic grant returned so soon after it was abolished”, says education minister Rianne Letschert.

On Friday, she sent the bill arranging a second compensation scheme for disadvantaged students to the House of Representatives. This second compensation had been promised by the previous cabinet, because the first compensation was considered too limited.

Per month

For four years of study without a basic grant, disadvantaged students will receive 2,136 euros. They will receive less if the basic grant was reintroduced halfway through their studies. The compensation is higher than previously announced due to an inflation adjustment.

The first compensation amounts to nearly 1,700 euros for a four-year course of study without a basic grant. Combined with the second compensation, this totals over 3,800 euros.

The first four cohorts also received a ‘study voucher’ for additional education, but this has been abolished. Instead, they will receive 2,167 euros. For four years without a basic grant, these first disadvantaged students will therefore receive around six thousand euros in total.

All amounts will be deducted from the student debt. Any remaining amount will be transferred to the former student’s bank account. That account number must be registered with DUO within twelve months.

Reactions

The Dutch National Student Union calls it a step in the right direction, but according to chair Maaike Krom, former students are still left with high student debts. At the very least, the interest rate on student debt should be reduced to zero, she argues.

A similar response comes from the Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg. Current students still need a higher grant than they receive now, says board member Sam de Jong.