Extension of diploma period
You can apply for an extended diploma period if:
- you are able to obtain a diploma, but not before the ‘diploma period’ (10 years) expires, and
- you have fallen behind with your studies as a direct result of special medical or non-medical circumstances.
Started in time
You must also have started your studies in time. In other words, when you started, the remaining diploma period was long enough to enable you to complete the study programme within that period. So, if you are taking a 4 year programme, you must have started no later than 4 years before the end of the diploma period. We assess this based on the official duration of the study programme. If you were unable to start your studies in time due to exceptional circumstances, please contact the student counsellor to see whether you can still submit an application.
No possibility of extension
You cannot apply for an extended diploma period if:
- you cannot graduate within 10 years because you started working in the meantime, or
- you have already obtained a final diploma, or
- you were not allocated a place on your chosen programme and incurred a delay in your studies as a result.
Apply through student counsellor or study advisor
Notify your study programme as soon as possible if you fall behind with your studies. If you are studying at university or HBO, contact the student counsellor (‘studentendecaan’). MBO students should contact their study advisor. The counsellor or advisor can help you to limit or catch up on any study delay. If youmeet the conditions, your student counsellor or study advisor can also apply for an extended degree period on your behalf.
Were you disenrolled from your programme more than 5 years ago? Then the educational institution may not be able to support your application, because your study data are no longer available.
Consequences for your student finance
If your application is approved, you will get more time to obtain your diploma.
You are following an MBO programme
If you obtain your diploma within the new diploma period, your basic grant, supplementary grant, and student travel product for the MBO programme will be converted into a gift.
You are studying at university or HBO
If you obtain your diploma within the new diploma period, your basic grant, supplementary grant, and student travel product for university or HBO programme will be converted into a gift.