07-04-2026 An unexpected debt or uncertainty about tuition fees, can affect learners’ ability to continue their studies. MBO Amersfoort has recognised that many VET students are unfamiliar with the financial regulations available to support them. In addition, it may happen that parents seek financial support for their children’s studies but do not know where to find it. When financial difficulties arise, these may also lead to dropout. In response, this VET school in the Dutch city of Amersfoort (7 700 students) has recently established a Financial Consultation Desk, providing specialised support for students with financial questions.
The Financial Consultation Desk:
- provides information about the national VET student fund for learning materials, aimed at full-time vocational students up to 21 years old with parents/guardians who cannot cover these costs;
- draws up, together with students, payment arrangements for tuition or course fees in instalments;
- answers questions about DUO (the Education Executive Agency) and supports students in applying for performance grants, supplementary grants, student travel cards and loans;
- supports students in preparing an overview of income and expenditure;
- explains financial correspondence and clarifies required actions;
- refers students to specialised support services where necessary.
The Financial Consultation Desk delivers tangible results and has become indispensable at MBO Amersfoort. The ambition now is teach students how to prevent financial problems. For this reason, the Financial Consultation Desk developed the ‘Financially Strong’ programme, which includes teaching materials on financial information for all new students.
Read the full news item
ReferNet Netherlands, & Cedefop (2026, April 7th). Netherlands: Financial guidance supports VET student retention. National news on VET.
Each year ECBO, as partner in the ReferNet network, publishes three articles to inform European partners on VET news in the Netherlands.