Where can you go for help paying school costs?.

Where can you go for help paying school costs?.

According to the law, schools can ask parents for a voluntary parent contribution for extra activities outside the regular curriculum. The contribution is truly voluntary, without consequences for the child. But what about other school costs? And where can parents go if they cannot pay these costs?

You may have noticed: since 1 August 2021, the legal change about the voluntary parent contribution came into effect. In short: parents can pay a contribution to the school, but do not have to if they do not want or cannot pay.

Other costs for parents

This is good news, but it does not mean parents have no school costs at all. There are still other types of costs. These are costs for required personal materials that last longer than a year. For example, an atlas, dictionary, calculator, or sports clothing. Parents are expected to pay these costs themselves. Other costs are for example the purchase of a laptop or tablet. Although the school should offer an alternative (such as loan use) if parents cannot pay, these costs are also for parents. On our Knowledge Base you can read more about the different types of school costs.

Funds

Fortunately, parents can turn to various funds if they need help to pay these costs. There are funds that can reimburse certain school costs, such as a school bag, an atlas, or other learning materials or supplies, if parents have difficulty budgeting for them. Below is a summary.

Sam& for all children

Sam& for all children is a partnership of Stichting Leergeld, Nationaal Fonds Kinderhulp, Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur, and Stichting Jarige Job. These organizations have joined forces to reach more children with a wide range of provisions.

• Sam& for all children is there for all children and youth who grow up in low-income families.
• Parents and intermediaries can submit an application on the website for school costs, such as school supplies or a laptop, for a bike to go to school, but also for sports and culture lessons, a day out, or a birthday box.
• After submission, the application goes to the right organization.
• Applications can be made via the website Samen voor alle kinderen.

Through the municipality

Municipalities sometimes reimburse school costs (a form of special assistance), depending on income and the necessity of the costs. The possibilities vary per municipality. For more information, go to the social services or the Centre for Work & Income of your municipality.

Student allowance

This allowance is for students aged 18 to 30 in secondary education, secondary special education, and secondary general adult education (vavo). This allowance consists of a basic grant and possibly an additional grant. They are basically gifts.

The basic grant is independent of the income of the caring parent(s). The amount depends on the student’s living situation (living away from home or at home). The additional grant does depend on the income of the caring parent(s). It also depends on the type of school the child attends. The allowance consists of:

– a reimbursement of school costs

– a reimbursement of tuition fees

– Students in vavo and private secondary education qualify for the tuition fee reimbursement.

For more information and applications, see the website of DUO.

Child-related budget for children aged 12 to 18 years

Parents with children aged 12 to 18 can claim an allowance for school costs. The child-related budget per child per year is automatically increased by the amounts below (2021). This increase is meant as a contribution to school costs. Parents do not need to apply separately for this allowance.

12 to 15 years: 246.96 euros

16 to 17 years: 441 euros