How do I apply for the school allowance from age 18?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Apply for both the basic and supplementary allowance in Mijn DUO. This scheme is for adult school pupils and includes no student travel product. July 2026 has a special application deadline before 1 November 2026.
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1. Your situation
Entitlement begins in the quarter after turning 18. You must be under 30 when it starts, or under 20 for vso. It stops at 30; vso may continue beyond 20 until deregistration if you remain enrolled. Check birth date and enrolment.
2. Conditions
You attend recognised Dutch full-time secondary education lasting at least a year: vmbo, havo, vwo, mavo, lwoo, practical education, vso or vavo. Rutte enrolment can qualify; ask which phase applies to vmbo-mbo, and ask DUO about private schools. Dutch nationality or permits II–V qualify; type I and EU/EEA/Swiss cases need additional checks.
3. Preparation
Basic and ordinary supplementary allowances are gifts. For August–December 2026 the basic amount is €147.65 at home or €344.26 away. Away means municipal registration at a different address from parents; contact DUO if registration is impossible. Supplementary support depends on parental income and other eligible children. No DUO travel product; ask vavo/practical schools about their transport support.
4. Apply
Apply with DigiD in Mijn DUO before the school year ends on 31 July, or use the official annual form. Normal backdating reaches 1 August of the current year, not a completed year. If you turned 18 between 2 April and 1 July 2026, apply for July 2026 only by form before 1 November 2026. Keep proof of sending.
5. Decision
For 2026–2027, parental income from 2024 normally counts. Parents may request a later reference year using Wijziging ouder if income fell at least 15%, for at least three years, outside normal business risk. Bankruptcy/debt restructuring does not automatically lower the assessment. If high-income parents refuse support, disregarding their income can yield the maximum supplement as an interest-bearing loan, not a gift.
6. Next steps
Check the decision and official amount table for period and school type; vavo tuition compensation offsets tuition fees. Report longer study or repeating a year in Mijn DUO. Starting qualifying full-time education within four months may allow bridging: use the change helper. Parental separation may affect income counted; report it. Follow objection instructions for errors.
Does this include student public transport?
No. This allowance includes neither a student travel product nor DUO travel reimbursement. Vavo or practical schools may offer their own transport support.
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DUO · Voor wie ↗DUO · Voorwaarden ↗DUO · Onderdelen ↗DUO · Aanvragen en wijzigen ↗DUO · Bedragen en ouderinkomen ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.