The case focused on the rights of expats to claim a type of fee assistance called “student finance”. Not only does student finance provide a loan on favourable terms, it also reduces the overall fee burden from the standard “university tuition fee” to the less demanding “statutory tuition fee”. This has the potential to save expat students and their families as much as several tens of thousands of Euros per year.
Who is Eligible for Student Finance?
Any person who is either an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a direct family member is entitled to receive student finance. Permanent residence holder permits and refugees are also eligible.
The judge hearing the case at Amsterdam District Court ruled that the law preventing expats from claiming student finance violated European Convention on Human Rights non-discrimination law stemming from the European Convention on Human Rights because it allowed student finance for some independent residence permit holders, but not others, without providing any clear explanation as to why.
The Dutch Minister of Education may still apply to the Central Court of Appeal in Utrecht in order to contest the decision. However, this must be completed before the end of the month or the District Court’s ruling will prove binding.
Talk to Blacktower Today
If you would like help structuring your wealth and building a long-term strategy for your finances, including education fee planning and retirement strategies, talk to Blacktower’s expat financial advisers in the Netherlands today.
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