As a student, you are eligible for additional student finance if you are taking care of a child in addition to completing your study programme. This is called the single parent allowance. You need to meet the conditions for student finance.
You are entitled to this allowance if:
- you do not have a partner and are caring for a child under 18 years old. The child can be your own or not.
- you receive a child benefit for the child in question. Or the child is registered at your address. In case of co-parenting, an exception can sometimes be made.
Who do we consider a partner?
A partner does not always have to be someone you are married to or with whom you have a registered partnership. Even someone you live with can be considered your partner.
Apply
- Download and complete the 'Applying and making changes single parent allowance' form.
- Scan the form or take a picture of it.
- Log in to Mijn DUO. Go to ‘Mijn producten’ and click on ‘Studiefinanciering’.
- Click on ‘Toeslag verzorging kind’ and click on ‘Aanvragen’. Upload the completed form.
No student finance yet?
Are you not yet receiving student finance? Please apply for student finance first. After this you can apply for the single parent allowance in Mijn DUO.
Amount
For 2024, the single parent allowance has been set at €304.84 per month.
Eligible from when
You are eligible for the allowance starting the month following the birth of your child. If your child was born on the 1st of the month, you are eligible for this month as well. You can apply for the allowance retroactively within the academic year.
Duration of entitlement to allowance
Secondary vocational education (MBO) level 1 or 2
Are you enrolled in an MBO level 1 or 2 programme? You will receive the allowance as long as you are entitled to student finance.
Secondary vocational education (MBO) level 3 or 4
Are you enrolled in an MBO level 3 or 4 programme? You will receive the allowance as long as you are entitled to a basic grant. A grant is usually for a maximum of 4 years but you will receive 2 years more if you enrol in specialist training.
Once you have received your entire grant entitlement, you can borrow the amount of your allowance for an additional 3 years on top of the standard maximum amount you can borrow. To be eligible for this loan you have to still be enrolled as a fulltime student in a study programme.
Higher professional education (HBO) or university
Are you completing an HBO or university study programme? Then you are entitled to this allowance for a maximum of 4 years. For programmes of more than 4 years, the allowance will be proportionate. This also applies to certain master’s programmes and teacher training programmes.
Once you have received your entire grant entitlement, you can borrow the amount of your allowance for an additional 3 years on top of the standard maximum amount you can borrow. To be eligible for this loan you have to still be enrolled as a fulltime student in a study programme.
Are you already receiving student finance? The number of months that you have already received student finance will be deducted from the maximum duration. This also applies if you have only received a loan or a student travel product.
Gift or repayment
If you are enrolled in an MBO level 1 or 2 programme, then the single parent allowance is always a gift.
Are you enrolled in an MBO level 3 or 4 programme, an associate’s degree, or an HBO or university programme? Then you must obtain your degree within 10 years. The first 4 years of the allowance will then be gifted to you. For an associate’s degree you will be gifted 2 years. If you complete a programme that is officially more than 4 years, more months will be gifted to you. If you do not obtain a degree then you will be required to repay the allowance in full.
Do you no longer receive a performance grant, but only a loan? Then you will receive the allowance as an extra loan. You must always repay a loan.
You have found a partner or your child benefit has been terminated
Have you found a partner or has your child benefit been terminated? Then you are no longer entitled to a single parent allowance. Please terminate your allowance in Mijn DUO.