‘Unlucky generation’ can be compensated even without a diploma

The coalition agreement had already promised to set aside 1.4 billion euros to provide students with additional compensation for losing the basic grant between 2015 and 2023. The first version of the necessary legislative amendment is now available online.

The cabinet wants to give this generation of students an additional compensation of ‘approximately 40 euros’ per month. This amounts to 1,920 euros for four years of study, slightly more than the first compensation, which was paid out earlier this year (1,640 euros).

In principle, the second amount will also be deducted from the student loan or paid into the designated bank accounts. Those who are entitled to the first allowance are automatically eligible for the second.

Special circumstances
Everyone can react to the legislative proposal by May 2. One difference from the first benefit is that the target group has been expanded by an estimated 6,000 students who were unable to obtain their diploma because they were faced with ‘special circumstances’. This includes occupational disability, functional impairments and chronic illnesses. These former students will then not only be entitled to the supplementary allowance as of 2027, but will also receive the first allowance retroactively.

The same applies to ‘several dozen’ students in similar circumstances who were unable to obtain their diploma in ten years. Minister Bruins wants to extend the period to a maximum of fifteen years for them.

Benefit
If the legislative proposal is passed, the first four generations of unlucky students – including the ones who got the study voucher – will receive a total allowance of 5,600 euros for four years of study. For students living with their parents, that amount is 1,000 euros more than they would have received in basic student grants.