Are you attending a beroepsopleidende leerweg, BOL (school-based learning pathway) in MBO (secondary vocational education) or full-time adult general secondary education (VAVO)? You will have to pay tuition fees if you are 18 years of age or older on 1 August of a study year.
Last updated on 4 March 2025
Paying tuition fees to DUO
If you have to pay tuition fees, you will automatically receive a notification from DUO (Education Executive Agency). You can pay the tuition fees in one lump sum or in instalments. Read what conditions apply if you start later in the study year. Your tuition fees might be lower.
Read more about how much the tuition fees are and how to pay them on the DUO website.
No tuition fees under the age of 18
If you are not yet 18 years of age on the first day of the study year (1 August), you do not have to pay tuition fees for that year.
More information on this topic
If you are between 18 and 30 years of age, you may receive a student allowance (in Dutch) for a full-time VAVO course. You can use this money to pay for books or tuition fees, for example. Conditions apply for this.
If you are enrolled in a BOL course in MBO and are 18 years of age or older, you can apply for student finance from DUO.
You can receive a refund of tuition fees already paid if you meet the conditions. For example, you must deregister from your course at the school on time.
No, if you are 18 years of age or older, you have to pay course fees for a part-time VAVO course or a BBL course.