Trouble paying school costs?.

The bill for school supplies can add up. But not everyone has the same financial means. Is it hard for you to pay all school costs? Some school costs do not have to be paid by parents and the parental contribution is always voluntary. There are also organizations that can help you. In this article you read where you can go.

Financial help with school costs 

But what if your child’s school does not take action? Then you can get financial help from a number of organizations. Very nice of course, but it can also make it unclear where to go with what. For financial help with buying school supplies you can go to: 

• Stichting Leergeld: parents with a low income can get financial help here to buy school supplies. 
• Via Sam& for all children parents with a low income can go to Stichting Leergeld and other support organizations. Parents and intermediaries can apply through the website for school supplies or a laptop, a bike to go to school, but also for sports and culture lessons, a day out or a birthday box. 
• The municipality: municipalities sometimes reimburse school costs (a form of special assistance), depending on income and the necessity of the costs. The possibilities differ per municipality. For more information go to the social service or center for work and income of your municipality. 
• Child budget via the tax office: the child budget amount is higher for children from 12 to 18 years old who still go to school. This increase is a compensation for school costs for parents with a small budget. Usually you do not have to do anything to get this money. 
• Student allowance: parents with a child over 18 years old in secondary school can apply for a student allowance. 
• Mbo student fund: parents with a small budget and a child in mbo can ask for a financial contribution via the mbo student fund. 
• Buyback scheme unused mbo school books: books your child has bought but not used must be bought back by the mbo school. 

Voluntary parental contribution and school costs, how does it work? 

Going to school brings costs for many parents. For example, for a calculator, laptop, planner and pens. Many schools also ask for a voluntary contribution from parents for fun activities. Sadly it is not always clear that this contribution is really voluntary. It is good to know that paying the voluntary parental contribution must not affect your child in any way.

Further help with money problems 

If you have financial difficulties it is not limited to school costs. That is why we also want to help you with other money problems here. For tips about money you can visit Wijzer in Geldzaken, the website Geldfit or Wat Ouders Willen Weten. On the website Calculate your rights from NIBUD you can easily find out which benefits and subsidies you have rights to. Finally the government gives information about what you can do in case of starting money worries or debts.

Ouders & Onderwijs listens

Are you having financial trouble? Then it can be hard to talk about. You can come to us anonymously with all questions about your child’s education. For example, if the school pushes you to pay the voluntary parental contribution or how schools must help parents if they cannot pay for a laptop. You can also come to us for a listening ear or information about where to find financial help for school materials. The more we hear and know, the better we can stand up for parents.