Every student will have a Windward Islands Bank account prior to arrival in the Netherlands. During the “Opvangweek" in the Netherlands every student will go to the bank to open a Dutch bank account. Remember that you are responsible for using your resettling money wisely. The money that the Government of St. Maarten will deposit on your account will be in US Dollars. There is an exchange rate difference when you withdraw in Euro’s and it is advisable to look at this rate when you are going to use an ATM. You will not be able to use your Windward Islands Bank card to pay in stores in the Netherlands so you will need to have cash money with you until your Dutch bank account and card is activated. Students will be receiving their monthly funds directly from DUO. Students are responsible for the payment of their books and tuition throughout the school year.

In order to cover these expenses HBO/WO students will have to save ± € 175,- per month; and MBO students will have to save ± € 125,- per month. It is advisable to go to the bank and set up a monthly automatic transfer (periodieke overboeking) from your student account to your savings account. Then you won’t have to worry about it each month. You can also set up the monthly transfer via internet banking.

Sample Monthly Budget