Study voucher allowance

Since 1 September 2023, the study voucher scheme has changed. The first students who studied under the student loan system will receive a financial compensation rather than the study voucher: the study voucher allowance. It does not matter if you are starting a new study programme or not.

Conditions

You received your first month of student finance for a Bachelor programme in the period September 2015 up to and including August 2019.
Within the 10 year diploma period you obtained a final HBO diploma (Bachelor) or full university diploma (Bachelor + Master), calculated from your first month of student finance for HBO or university. A possible extension of the diploma term is added to the 10 years.
You have not yet used a study voucher or you have used your study voucher for less than the maximum amount.

Amount and payment

The one-off amount is determined each year. In 2025 the amount is € 2,097.08. The amount will first be offset against your debt, which will reduce the debt accrued during the study. Don't you have any debt? Or is the allowance higher than your debt? Then you will receive the (remaining) allowance within 6 weeks after receiving the notice. If your monthly instalments can be reduced due to the adjustment, you will automatically be notified of this.

If you obtained your diploma in or before 2024, the allowance will be granted in January of 2025.

If you obtain your diploma in 2025 or after, you will get a notice after DUO has been informed about your diploma by the educational institution. If you obtained your diploma outside of the Netherlands, you will need to send a certified copy of your diploma to DUO if you have not done so already.

No need to apply

You do not need to apply for the compensation. You will automatically receive a notice from DUO.

Old study voucher

If you have not yet (fully) used a study voucher, the new scheme automatically applies to you. Did you use part of your study voucher for a new study programme? Then your allowance amounts to the remaining value of your voucher.

Impact on income or assets

The allowance does not count as income, but it may still affect your assets. This could influence the amount of tax you owe or impact eligibility for schemes where assets are a determining factor.

Does your total assets exceed the tax-free allowance Link opent externe pagina after receiving the allowance? If so, the allowance will count as assets for taxes under Box 3 Link opent externe pagina .

An increase in assets may affect schemes that take your assets into account, such as benefits, municipal schemes, or personal contributions for care paid to the CAK. The relevant authority can provide you with more information on this.