Many vocational students not applying for supplementary grants they're entitled to

A quarter of secondary vocational students do not apply for a supplementary grant even though they're entitled to them, the central planning office CPB reported based on data from 2019. Not applying for the supplementary grant, which can run up to 370 euros per month, can have several disadvantages, CPB researcher Paul Verstraten said to the broadcaster. According to the CPB, it could help if DUO - the organization that pays the grant - approaches students directly if they are entitled to the supplementary grant or automatically ticks the option to apply for it. DUO told NOS that it is already drawing more attention to the supplementary grant with better information provision and a notice on its website.