In front of the entrance to the Lower House (the photo shows the temporary location), a reading marathon against the long study fine will start Tuesday morning. Students and administrators of universities of applied sciences will participate, as well as leaders of opposition parties: Rob Jetten (D66), Frans Timmermans (GL-PvdA), Jimmy Dijk (SP), Esther Ouwehand (PvdD) and Laurens Dassen (Volt).

Punished

As of September 2026, the government wants to impose a long-study penalty of an additional three thousand euros in tuition fees for students who are more than a year behind in their studies. The colleges collected some 25,000 “objections” to this plan in recent weeks, in which students explain why they are delaying their studies.

“I am punished because I take care of my mother,” is one example. Besides informal care, other reasons for students' delays can be cited, such as top sports, pregnancy, participation in co-determination and board work at an association.

“Worrisome stories”

Minister Eppo Bruins (NSC) does know the problems. He talked about it with students from poorer families, top athletes, caregivers and the sick. They shared “really worrisome stories,” he told the House of Representatives recently.

But for now, he cares little for those stories. He would like to avoid making the long-study measure “disproportionate and harsh,” but he is going to make cuts anyway, counting on some 95.000 long-study fines a year. The more exceptions he makes, the less the measure will yield.

He wants to introduce the fine by September 2026, but a change in the law takes time and will be too late. He is looking into whether it can be done without a change in the law, he told the House.

Marathon

After the reading in The Hague, the “marathon” will continue in the coming weeks at universities of applied sciences across the country. On November 26, the education committee of the House of Representatives will be presented with the objections. That week is also when the House debates the OCW budget.