Financial support for study delays

Are you a full-time student and you have encurred a delay in your study progress during your grant entitlement period, as a result of your disability or chronic illness? You may be eligible for an additional year of student financing (extension of the performance grant) through DUO and/or financial support in cases of circumstances beyond one’s control from the university (FinSCO).

Additional year of grant assistance

Depending on their degree programme, students are entitled to a basic grant amount (performance-linked grant) for either four, five or six years plus a three-year loan. Does your disability mean that you are unable to complete your studies within the period for which you are entitled to the performance-linked student grant? Once you have satisfied the performancelinked grant requirements, the extra year of grant money will be converted into a gift.

Step-by-step plan

  1. If you notice that you are falling behind schedule in your studies, report this as soon as possible to the study advisor (in any case no later than within 3 months after the relevant circumstance has arisen).

  2. Apply for FinSCO (formerly: graduation support) immediately after the academic year in which you experienced study delay (within 5 months after the end of the relevant academic year). Check the procedure.

  3. The student counsellors will first assess your FinSCO application to determine whether you qualify for an extension of the performance grant through DUO. If so, the student counsellor will contact you. They will also explain the further procedure. You can read more about the extension of the performance grant on the website of DUO.

Note: If you experience are falling behind schedule in your studies due to a disability or chronic illness (or other circumstances beyond your control), you can apply for FinSCO immediately after your first academic year.

If your study delay is (potentially) compensated through an extension of your performance grant via DUO, we advise you to also submit a FinSCO request after the end of each academic year in which you experienced study delays due to circumstances beyond your control (and received a basic grant). When submitting a FinSCO request, the number of months of study delay you (may) have incurred in the previous academic year will be registered. The first 12 months of registered study delay will be compensated through DUO. From the 13th month onward, you may be eligible for FinSCO.

Extension of the performance grant: additional year of student finance (basic grant)

Have you experienced study delays due to a disability or chronic illness? The student counsellor will assess whether it is possible to apply for an extension of the performance-based grant through DUO. An extra year of performance-based grant is added to your standard right to student financing (usually after your fourth year of student financing). If this additional year falls under the basic grant system (in effect since September 2023 and before September 2015), the additional year of DUO performance grant consists of:

  • 12 months of additional basic grant
  • 12 months of additional supplementary grant (depending on your parents’ income)
  • 12 months of additional OV/Student Travel Product
  • 12 months of additional borrowing

If you receive 12 months of extension of the performance grant, this extension is considered financial compensation for your first 12 months of study delay. Only from the 13th month of delay onwards can you become eligible for financial compensation from Utrecht University (FinSCO). Note: be sure to still submit a FinSCO request to ensure that your study delay is properly registered.

Please note that only study delays occurring during the performance-based grant period are eligible for financial compensation. An extra year of performance grant can only be applied for once.

Extension of the performance grant: additional year of student finance (student loan system)

Have you experienced study delays due to a disability or chronic illness? The student counsellor will assess whether it is possible to apply for an extension of the performance grant through DUO. You will receive an additional year of student finance immediately following your ‘normal’ student finance entitlement. That is usually after your 4th year of student finance. If this additional year falls under the student loan system (that was in effect from September 2015 to September 2023), the additional year of DUO performance grant consists of:

  • 12 months of additional borrowing
  • 12 months of additional supplementary grant (depending on your parents’ income)
  • 12 months of additional OV/Student Travel Product
  • Upon graduation, part of your debt may be cancelled, with a maximum cancellation amount of approximately €1,200 (see DUO’s website for exact amounts).

If you receive 12 months of extension of the performance-based grant, this extension is considered financial compensation for your first 12 months of study delay. Only from the 13th month of delay onwards can you become eligible for financial compensation from Utrecht University (FinSCO). Note: be sure to still submit a FinSCO request to ensure that your study delay is properly registered.

Schedule an appointment

More information on the provisions of DUO can be found on the DUO website. You can also schedule an appointment with a Student Counsellor via Student Services to discuss whether you qualify for a DUO provision.

The student counselor will assess your request based on legal criteria. If the student counsellor determines that you qualify for a provision, you will receive the necessary forms. The counsellor will also explain the further procedure.

You do not need to schedule an appointment to submit a FinSCO request (formerly: graduation support). You can simply submit the request digitally via OSIRIS Case. Learn more at the Circumstances beyond your control page.