University life is an amazing adventure, but the bills can start adding up in no time. If you’ve been studying in the Netherlands, you’ve probably heard of DUO. The organization behind student finance in the Netherlands. One of their big deals is the basic and supplementary grant: basically a student handout that the government gives out. Unlike a standard loan, this funding can become a gift, saving you thousands of Euros while you focus on your degree.
This guide explores the meaning of a bursary for students, with a heavy focus on the supplementary grant from DUO. We explain the eligibility criteria, the application process, and how this student bursary in the Netherlands helps cover the cost of living. Learn the difference between a scholarship and a bursary, and discover tips on finding affordable housing through platforms like Renthunter.nl to make your funding go further.
🎓 What is a student bursary?
When people ask “what is a student bursary,” they are usually looking for non-repayable university support. In the Dutch system, the most common form of this is the basic or supplementary grant from DUO.
The best part? If you graduate within ten years, this bursary for students is converted into a gift. It is essentially “free money” from the government to ensure that your financial background does not stop you from getting a top-tier education.
Components of Dutch student finance:
- Basic Grant (basisbeurs): A fixed monthly amount for everyone, higher if you live away from home.
- Supplementary Grant (aanvullende beurs): The actual student bursary, based on your parents’ income.
- Student Travel Product: Free or discounted public transport (OV-chipkaart).
- Tuition Fees Loan: A loan specifically to cover your university fees.
- Interest-Bearing Loan: Additional money you can borrow if needed.
💰 New amounts for 2026: What can you expect?
The student finance landscape shifts slightly every year. For 2026, the amounts have been indexed to keep up with the rising costs of groceries and rent. If you are planning your budget, it is vital to know exactly what is landing in your bank account each month.
Basic grant (basisbeurs) 2026
The amount of your basic grant depends on whether you stay with your parents or move out. For 2026, the indicative monthly amounts are:
- HBO/University: €130.21 (at home) or €324.52 (away from home).
- MBO: €107.26 (at home) or €350.03 (away from home).
Supplementary grant (aanvullende beurs) 2026
This is the “gift” part of your student bursary in the Netherlands. If your parents earn below the threshold (roughly €41,500 for HBO/WO or €46,300 for MBO), you can receive the maximum amount:
- HBO/University: Up to €491.08 per month.
- MBO: Up to €466.40 (away from home) or €438.08 (at home).
🏠 Using your bursary to cover rent and living costs
Let’s talk about the biggest drain on your wallet: student accommodation. The cost of living in Dutch cities is high, and your maintenance bursary is often your main tool for paying the bills. If you qualify for both the max basic and supplementary grant, you could be receiving over €800 in “performance grants” (money that becomes a gift after graduation).
Since your student bursary is limited, you need to find affordable housing. This is where Renthunter.nl becomes your best friend. Instead of manually checking dozens of sites, Renthunter.nl aggregates all available rooms and studios into one overview. By finding a cheaper room, you can make your student finance stretch much further, leaving more money for books and social life.
📋 Eligibility for the student bursary in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, every student is entitled to the basic grant, but the supplementary grant is specifically reserved for those whose parents’ income falls below a certain threshold. Not every student automatically gets the maximum amount. DUO looks at several factors to determine your eligibility for student bursaries and the exact amount you will receive.
How is it calculated?
- Parents’ Income: DUO looks at the income from two years ago. For 2026, they look at 2024. If your parents earn below the threshold, you get more.
- Siblings: If you have brothers or sisters who are also in education, your eligibility for a higher bursary increases.
- Nationality: Generally, you need to be Dutch. However, if you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can often still get this student bursary if you work at least 32 hours a month in the Netherlands or have lived here for five years.
💰 Application process: How to apply for a student bursary
Applying for your bursary for students is done entirely online through Mijn DUO. It is surprisingly simple, but you must be proactive.
Steps to apply:
- Log in with DigiD: Go to the DUO website and log into your personal portal.
- Request Student Finance: If you haven’t already, apply for “studiefinanciering.”
- Select Supplementary Grant: Always check the box for the aanvullende beurs. Even if you aren’t sure you qualify, let DUO do the math: they check your parents’ income automatically with the Tax Authority.
- Submit Proof: If your parents live abroad, you will need to provide their income statements manually.
🧠Did You Know? : You only need to apply for the supplementary grant once. After the first time, DUO will automatically recalculate your eligibility every year based on the latest tax data. This makes being a bursary student very low-maintenance once the initial paperwork is done!
💡 Tips for managing student financial support
Getting the money is step one, step two is making sure you don’t lose it.
- Tip: Always finish your degree! For HBO and University students, the student bursary is a “performance grant.” If you don’t graduate within 10 years, the entire bursary turns back into a loan that you have to pay back with interest.
- Check for Rent Benefit: If you live in an independent studio, you might be eligible for huurtoeslag on top of your student bursary in the Netherlands.
- Stay updated on Renthunter.nl: The housing market changes daily. Setting up an alert on Renthunter.nl ensures that if a cheaper room opens up, you are the first to know.
⚠️Prevention/Warning : While the student bursary can become a gift, the regular “loan” part of student finance always remains a debt. Be careful about borrowing the maximum amount if you don’t need it. Interest rates on student loans have risen recently, so only borrow what is necessary for your rent and cost of living.
❓ FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about student bursary
What is a student bursary?
In the Netherlands, it is the basic and supplementary grant from DUO, which is a needs-based fund that becomes a gift if you graduate.
What is the difference between a bursary and a scholarship?
A bursary is based on financial need, while a scholarship is usually based on your grades or specific talents.
How do I apply for a student bursary?
You apply via Mijn DUO when you request your regular student finance.
What is the eligibility for student bursaries?
It depends on your parents’ income, your nationality, and whether you have siblings who are also students.
Is there a student bursary for international students?
Yes, if you are from the EU/EEA and work at least 32 hours a month, or if you meet other specific residency criteria.
Who is eligible for a bursary for low-income students?
Students whose parents earn less than a certain yearly threshold are usually eligible for the full or partial amount.
What is a maintenance bursary?
It is another term for the supplementary grant, meant to help you maintain your lifestyle and pay for essentials like food and housing.
How do bursaries help with living costs?
They provide a monthly cash injection that reduces the amount you need to borrow or work, helping you focus on your studies.
Can I get a housing bursary for students?
There isn’t a specific housing bursary, but you can apply for rent allowance(huurtoeslag) from the tax office if you meet the criteria.
What is a student financial support guide?
It is a resource that helps you navigate the complex world of grants, loans, and tuition fees.
Bursaries vs grants vs loans: what is the difference?
Bursaries and grants are gifts if you graduate within ten years, while loans must always be paid back with interest.
🎯 Conclusion: Securing your student finance
Hitting the student bursary in the Netherlands can seem like a minefield at first, but it’s actually one of the most useful ways to fund your future. By getting your head around what the term “bursary for students” actually means and using the support that your uni gets from DUO to your advantage, you can make a real dent in your future debt. Just don’t forget to keep your wits about you and manage your costs carefully, use tools like Renthunter.nl to find a place to live that’s not going to break the bank, and keep a close eye on your “performance grant” status.
With the right funding and a bit of savvy budgeting, you can free yourself up to focus on the one thing that really matters : getting that degree and getting your career off the ground. So start your application on Mijn DUO right now and make sure you’re getting every penny you’re entitled to!
