You graduated: foreign diploma

When you obtained a diploma outside the European Netherlands, you may need to notify us of this to ensure your student debt, or part of your student debt, can be converted into a gift.

Conversion into a gift

A diploma obtained outside the European Netherlands may also be admissible for converting your performance-related grant

For MBO level 3 or 4 as well as HBO and university programmes, the basic grant, supplementary grant and travel product are a ‘performance-related grant’. This means they become a gift if you obtain your diploma within 10 years.

into a gift. Any student loan that is still outstanding must be repaid.

The process of converting to a gift requires a written request to DUO: it is not automatic. If you obtained your diploma in the European Netherlands, you don’t need to do anything.

Send your diploma and list of marks

1. Send a certified copy

   A certified copy is a copy with a stamp and signature to prove that it corresponds with the original. You can have a certified copy made at your school or university, or at one of our Service Desks. Please bring your original diploma and list of marks.

   of your foreign diploma and list of marks to DUO. Enclose a short letter asking for your performance-related grant to be converted into a gift. Sign the letter and state your BSN.

   The address is:

   Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs
   Verzoek omzetting prestatiebeurs
   Postbus 50021
   9702 BA Groningen

2. DUO will assess whether your diploma entitles you to conversion of your performance-related grant.
3. You will receive notification once your diploma has been registered. This notification will also inform you whether your performance-related grant has been converted and the size of your student debt.

Send your diploma on time

Send us your foreign diploma as soon as possible. Make sure this is done within 5 years after your diploma period

The diploma period is 10 years, starting from your 1st month of student finance for MBO levels 3 and 4, or for HBO and university. The diploma period does not apply for MBO levels 1 and 2.

expires. If you send it any later, you risk your performance-related grant not being converted into a gift.