News item | 28-03-2022 | 17:15
Students who are unable to earn extra money due to a structural medical limitation will receive a minimum amount of study allowance from 1 April to fill that gap. Minister Schouten announced this today.
Students can get their income from various sources. For example through student grants, sometimes a contribution from their parents and through a part-time job. However, it is not always possible for students with a medical disability to work in addition to the time burden that the study entails. They cannot therefore generate income through a side job. Since 2015, the government has therefore awarded these students an individual study allowance. However, research has shown that the scheme is used less often than expected and that there are sometimes large differences in the amount of the benefit between municipalities. By implementing a number of improvements, the cabinet hopes that the differences between municipalities will become smaller and that more students will make use of the study allowance.
The cabinet has made the study allowance a minimum amount that all municipalities must pay to students with a medical disability. The new study allowance has no assets test and increases as the student gets older, up to an amount of 300 euros per student. Municipalities are free to increase this amount, but by setting a minimum, the basis is the same for every student, regardless of residence. Students with a medical disability can apply for the study allowance at their own municipality.