THE BENEFITS YOU CAN RECEIVE AS A STUDENT Learning how to manage your finance in a new country is a part of the experience of living abroad. Your housing, social life and free time activities can quickly add up. Luckily enough, there are ways to save money and benefits you can receive as a student in the Netherlands. But what are they and how can you apply for them? RENTAL BENEFI T (HUURTOESLAG) Renting a house or a room in the Randstad (Utrecht surroundings) can be quite expensive; it really depends on the size of the house and location. If you cannot afford your full rent, there is a system through which you can apply for a rental benefit, known as huurtoeslag in Dutch. Huurtoeslag is a government contribution towards your rental costs. The amount you receive depends on your age, who you live with, the rental price, and the combined incomes of the household. There are certain requirements you need to meet to be eligible for this rental benefit. First, you must be 18 years old and you need to be registered at a Dutch address. It is also important that you have a rental agreement with your landlord or with an estate agent. This depends on where and how you rent a house. Furthermore, you can only apply for the rental benefit if you live in a self-sufficient home with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. If you live in a dorm or a room in a shared house, it is not possible to apply for huurtoeslag. The last important thing is that you do not have too many savings on your bank account. PAGE 16
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