Interest on student debt to rise again in 2027
For most students, the interest rate will rise from 2.33 to 2.70 per cent; a smaller group will face 3.28 per cent.
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Interest on student finance will rise again from 2027. DUO has set the new rates at 2.70 per cent for most students and 3.28 per cent for a smaller group with a shorter repayment period.
DUO announced the rates on 7 October. Students covered by the SF35 repayment scheme will pay an interest rate of 2.70 per cent in 2027. In 2026, it was 2.33 per cent. SF35 is the scheme under which student debt is repaid over a maximum of 35 years. According to DUO, almost all students fall under this scheme.
For students and borrowers under SF15, the rate will rise from 2.29 to 3.28 per cent. This scheme has a maximum repayment period of fifteen years. According to DUO, it applies to a smaller group. Those concerned can see which scheme they fall under in Mijn DUO.
The new interest rate does not automatically apply to everyone with student debt. For students receiving student finance in 2027, the rate will apply for one year from 1 January 2027. For those who last received student finance in 2026, the new rate will be fixed for five years from 2027.
For former students who are already repaying their debt, something will change only if their fixed-rate period ends on 31 December 2026. If that period ends later, the existing rate will remain in force until the new fixed-rate period begins. DUO says it will inform borrowers in November.
The interest rate is set annually and is linked to the cost at which the government borrows money on the capital market. As a result, the rate can rise or fall without the cabinet introducing a new loan system each year. The higher rate does mean that, with other circumstances unchanged, the debt will grow faster for as long as interest is being charged.
The announcement mainly affects the debate about students who studied during the loan-system period and later face higher interest rates. Parliamentary documents have previously referred to financial pressure and additional compensation for this group. The rates that have been set are an administrative decision under the existing rules; in themselves, they say nothing about whether those rules are fair.
For students, the distinction between a new interest rate and a new monthly instalment is particularly important. The monthly repayment also depends on income, debt, the repayment scheme and DUO's ability-to-pay rules. A higher rate therefore does not mean the same additional payment for everyone.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- DUO has set two interest rates for 2027.
- Most students fall under SF35; a smaller group falls under SF15.
- The interest rate is fixed for one year for students and for five years for certain borrowers.
Left
Arguments Believes that students should not bear the full cost of interest-rate rises over which they had little influence during their studies, particularly if the government previously encouraged them to borrow.
Values Equal opportunities, solidarity between generations and access to education.
Consequences Emphasises the risk that young people will be less likely to study, buy a home later or have children because of higher debts.
Centre
Arguments Accepts that interest rates move in line with the government's financing costs, but wants predictable rules, clear information and targeted compensation for demonstrably disadvantaged groups.
Values Practical implementation, legal certainty and a balance between individual responsibility and public support.
Consequences Expects the burden to remain manageable as long as repayments are income-dependent, but wants the effects to be evaluated periodically.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that borrowing is a financial obligation and that a long repayment period already protects against high monthly payments. Under this view, generic compensation would mainly mean higher public spending.
Values Personal responsibility, budgetary discipline and efficiency.
Consequences Fears that broad debt forgiveness or interest-rate caps would shift the costs to taxpayers and make future students less aware when borrowing.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The rates, schemes and start dates were checked directly with DUO. The explanation of monthly payments is deliberately limited to the distinction between interest and individual ability to pay.
- confirmed The SF35 interest rate will rise from 2.33 per cent in 2026 to 2.70 per cent in 2027. — DUO published both rates. source
- confirmed The SF15 interest rate will rise from 2.29 per cent to 3.28 per cent. — DUO lists the rates for 2026 and 2027. source
- confirmed SF35 has a maximum repayment period of 35 years and SF15 one of 15 years. — The names and periods follow the DUO schemes. source
- confirmed A new rate applies to existing borrowers only if their fixed-rate period ends at the end of 2026. — DUO explicitly describes this transitional rule. source
- confirmed The monthly instalment depends not only on the interest rate, but also on income, debt and the scheme. — This follows from DUO's repayment system; the source describes the scheme and the ability-to-pay assessment. source
Editor's note
The interest rates and the dates on which they apply were directly confirmed by DUO. The financial consequences vary from person to person; without individual data, no general statement has been made about monthly payments.Sources
- Rentepercentages voor 2027 vastgesteld — Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs
- Rente voor studenten — Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs
- Nota naar aanleiding van het verslag over studiefinanciering — Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal