DUO Lifelong Learning Loan

DUO Lifelong Learning Loan

You borrow money to cover your tuition fees at a Dutch college or university if you are too old for the normal Dutch student finance. The loan pays your actual tuition, up to 2,694 EUR per year for a college (HBO) or university programme, or up to 1,511 EUR per year for vocational (MBO) courses in 2026/27. If your school charges higher institutional fees, you can borrow up to 13,470 EUR per year for HBO or university, or 7,555 EUR for MBO, against proof of the real amount. The money is paid monthly, one twelfth of the yearly maximum at a time, for as long as your programme lasts. That is usually up to 4 years full time, or up to 5 years for a part-time or modular HBO/university programme. This is a state loan from DUO, the Dutch education-funding authority. It is not a grant: you repay it, plus interest (2.33% in 2026), starting the year after the loan ends. It does not cover books, travel or accommodation, and it is not registered with the Dutch credit bureau (BKR).

Who can apply

• Programme: You study a recognised (NVAO-accredited or ministry-recognised) full-time, part-time, dual or modular programme at a Dutch HBO college or university, or a full-time MBO vocational programme.
• Where you study: The programme takes place in the Netherlands, not the Dutch Caribbean.
• Student finance: You no longer qualify for the regular Dutch student finance (studiefinanciering).
• Age: You are under 57 when the loan starts. Between 30 and 56 anyone qualifies. Under 30 only if you already hold an HBO bachelor's or university master's and start a second programme, or if you study part time.
• Nationality: You are a Dutch national, hold a type II, III, IV, V or Article 50 residence permit, or are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen (or their partner or child).
• Fees not covered: Your tuition is not fully paid by someone else, such as an employer or your parents. If part is covered, you can borrow the rest.

How to apply

You apply online through Mijn DUO with your DigiD, under 'Mijn Producten' then 'Levenlanglerenkrediet'. There is also a paper form if you have no DigiD access. For regular studies, apply before your programme starts, as no loan is given for months already passed, and reapply each academic year. For modular studies you can apply as long as you are enrolled in the module.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a loan with fixed conditions, not a competitive scholarship, so there is no selection panel and no applicant pool to beat. If you meet the age, nationality and programme rules and no longer qualify for regular student finance, you get it. Just remember you have to pay it back with interest, so weigh it as a loan rather than free money.