collegegelden

Collegegeld, or tuition fee, is the price charged by higher education institutions to cover the costs of instruction, facilities and student services. In Dutch-speaking contexts, collegegeld is regulated and can vary by student status and program, and it is a common component of higher education funding.

In the Netherlands, there are two main categories of collegegeld. The statutory or bekostigd rate is the government-subsidized price that applies to most Dutch and EU/EEA students. Institutions may charge an institutional or niet-bekostigd rate for students who do not qualify for the statutory rate, typically non-EU/EEA students or for certain programs. The exact amounts are determined annually by government policy and by institutional decisions within the authorized range.

Payment and financing: Students from EU/EEA/Switzerland may be eligible for government student finance through DUO, including loans to cover tuition and living costs. Non-EU/EEA students usually pay the institutional rate and may rely on scholarships, grants, or private financing. Some institutions offer payment plans.

Regulation and context: The system rests on the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (WHW) and related decrees. The government sets the framework, including the maximum statutory amount, while individual institutions set their rates within that framework. The structure differs for research universities and universities of applied sciences and has been adjusted over time, with ongoing debate about affordability and access.