Conversion of performance grant

If you obtain your diploma within the 10 year diploma period, you do not need to repay your performance grant (basic grant, supplementary grant, and student travel product). It will be converted into a gift instead. Are you unable to complete your studies in time due to special circumstances? Or were you forced to withdraw from your study programme? If so, you can then ask for your performance grant to be converted into a gift.

Withdrawing during your 1st year

If you withdraw during the 1st year of your programme at university or HBO, perhaps you do not need to apply for conversion of your performance grant. Check first if you are eligible for the first year scheme.

Conditions

You can apply for conversion of the performance grant if:

• you cannot obtain your diploma within the 10 year diploma period or you were forced to withdraw from your study programme, and
• you have fallen behind with your studies or dropped out as a direct result of long-term medical or non-medical circumstances, such as a chronic illness or permanent disability.

No possibility of conversion

You cannot apply for conversion of the performance grant if:

• you decide to travel or start work, or
• you fall behind with your studies due to temporary circumstances, such as a non-chronic illness or the death of a family member.

Applying through student counsellor or study advisor

Notify your study programme as soon as possible if you fall behind with your studies or there is a risk that you will drop out. Only in exceptional situations can your student counsellor or study advisor apply for conversion of the performance grant on your behalf. A medical certificate is always required. The student counsellor or study advisor and DUO will assess whether you meet the conditions.

Disenrolled 5 years ago

Were you disenrolled from your programme more than 5 years ago? Then the educational institution may not be able to support your application, because your study data are no longer available.

What happens next

We will notify you if your application is approved. We then adjust your student loan debt as soon as possible:

• MBO: Your basic grant, supplementary grant, and travel product are converted into a gift.
• University or HBO: Your basic grant, supplementary grant, and travel product are converted into a gift. Any performance grant you previously received for an MBO programme remains unchanged.

We will inform you once we have adjusted your debt. You can also see the adjustment in My DUO.