Students from Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (BES) pursuing higher education in Curaçao or Aruba are facing inadequate financial support, according to recent evaluations of the BES Student Finance Act (WSF BES). In response, Dutch Education Minister Gouke Moes has announced a structural increase of €1.2 million per year to raise student allowances.
Costs Exceed Current Support
A study by the consultancy firm AEF revealed that the costs of studying in Curaçao and Aruba vary significantly, yet students currently receive the same stipend regardless of their destination. Tuition fees and living expenses in Curaçao—and especially in St. Maarten, which also receives BES students—are much higher than what the current funding covers. While Aruba is relatively cheaper, the financial support still falls short of covering rent, tuition, and living expenses.
As a result, many BES students struggle to make ends meet, as families in Bonaire, Statia, and Saba often cannot contribute financially. These students rely heavily on their grants and part-time jobs to fund their education.
Tailored Norms Per Island
The Dutch cabinet now plans to split the norm amounts by study destination, ensuring that allowances are better aligned with the local costs of living and tuition in Curaçao and Aruba. The goal is to prevent students from facing financial hardship or being forced to abandon their studies prematurely.
Each year, dozens of BES students travel to the CAS islands (Curaçao, Aruba, and St. Maarten) to pursue further education. For these students, the adjustments will be crucial to ensure equal opportunities.
Legal Amendment on the Way
The government will prepare draft legislation in the coming months to revise the student finance system. Minister Moes also plans to change how stipends are indexed: instead of using the consumer price index of the BES islands, future adjustments will be based on the cost-of-living developments in the actual study destinations.
The Dutch Parliament will be updated on progress before the summer of 2026. If the proposal moves forward, BES students studying in Curaçao or Aruba could see their monthly allowances rise for the first time since 2011.
