It’s a much-discussed measure from the new Schoof cabinet’s main agreement. The late student fine is an austerity measure for higher education. The plans are intended to ensure that students graduate more quickly. The result is that students enter the job market more quickly, which in turn is good for the economy.

slap in the face

But students are appalled by the government’s new plans. According to Abdelkader Kerbache, president of the National Union of Students, the move is another slap in the face for students. “This is on top of the enormous financial pressures students are already under. It’s one blow after another. Houses are becoming more expensive, the basic grant is being cut, and now tuition fees have gone up by ten percent. Students are no longer able to cope.”

Felicia van Leeuwen studies linguistics at Leiden University and is very concerned about the consequences of a late fine for a student. “I have a chronic illness. For me, this actually means that I can only work for a maximum of twenty to twenty-five hours a week. I can’t study full-time, so I know from the start that it will take longer. Studying late well makes me feel like I have no idea how to do it for students like me.”