There is a new financial aid in the Netherlands for adults who want to study. The rule is meant for people older than 30 years old to ask for a credit to pay for their studies at a university, hbo (hogeschool beroepsonderwijs, translated as “high-level professional education”), or mbo (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, translated as “middle-level applied education”). The credit is called levenlanglerenkrediet and it is in place starting 1 August 2017 for mbo, and 1 September 2017 for hbo and university.
Conditions to apply
• You are going to do a fulltime, part time, or dual (combination of study and work) hbo or university study programme. Or you are going to do a fulltime bol (beroepsopleidende leerweg) from an mbo study programme.
• The study must be in the Netherlands, not in the Caribbean Netherlands.
• The study must be known to the Dutch government.
• You must have the Dutch nationality or, if you are not a Dutch national, be in possession of a residence permit type II, III, IV or V.
• If you have another type of residence permit, or you are coming from outside the EU, or Switzerland, then you can fill in the Nationality chart to see if you qualify for the credit.
• You have no right anymore to ask for a traditional study loan.
• You are 30 years old or older.
• If you are younger than 30 years old, you only qualify under one of these two situations:
a) You have a hbo-bachelor diploma, or a university master and you are going to do a second hbo or university study.
b) You are going to do a part time hbo or university study programme.
• At the moment the credit starts, you are younger than 55 years old.
• You receive no complete study subsidy from other institution or person, for example your employer or parents.
• If you pay part of your study programme, then you are allowed to request the levenlanglerenkrediet for the rest of the amount.
How to request the credit
To ask for the credit you must have a digital identity,DigiD. With this identity you can log into DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, translated as the “Education and Development Service” from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Knowledge). DUO provides funding for education, exams, recognition of diplomas and all services linked to developing and financing education. You must ask for the credit before your study begins. If it is not possible for you to make the request online, you can make the request by filling a form.
How long does the credit last?
You can use the credit during the whole length of your education. Most programmes last four years. If you are doing a part time hbo or university study programme, then the credit lasts one extra year.
How much money can you ask for?
You can ask the credit for the total cost of your education programme with a maximum of €10.030,20 per year for hbo and university, and €5.685 per year for mbo. You must pay the credit plus interests when your study is finished. The interest rate varies per year. In 2017 and 2018 the rate is 0%.
Being able to access further education is relevant for any professional, but it is particularly necessary for adults in disadvantaged groups, such as migrants or women from ethnic minorities. Research has proven that taking up studies later in life has also positive effects on health, giving up smoking, decreasing alcohol consumption and exercising more. Learning throughout life improves mental health, enhancing self-confidence, hopefulness and purposefulness. So, if you are one of those reluctant students, do not underestimate the power and benefits of continued learning to your professional and personal life, and know you have aid at hand to keep growing.
Written by Paula Arellano Geoffroy for Together Abroad