DUO to assist St. Maarten residents with student loan repayments November 23 to 27

GREAT BAY--Former students with outstanding Dutch student loans will have an opportunity to receive in-person assistance when the Education Executive Agency (DUO) visits St. Maarten from November 23 to 27, 2026, to help borrowers understand their repayment obligations for 2027.

DUO announced that individuals with outstanding student debt will receive notifications in November indicating how much they are expected to repay monthly in 2027. Borrowers are being urged to carefully review these amounts, as some may qualify for reduced payments or even zero monthly repayments depending on their income.

According to DUO, former students whose repayment amounts were calculated without considering their income can submit updated income information to avoid potentially paying more than necessary.

Residents seeking assistance are encouraged to bring their income statements for 2024 and 2025 to help officials determine the appropriate repayment amount.

During the visit, DUO representatives will also assist borrowers experiencing payment arrears, explain available repayment options and provide guidance on making payments in local currency. Assistance will also be available for individuals having difficulty accessing their My DUO online accounts.

The St. Maarten visit forms part of a wider Caribbean outreach initiative. DUO representatives will visit Bonaire from November 2 to 6, Aruba from November 9 to 20, Saba on November 30 and December 1, and St. Eustatius on December 2 and 3. A longer-term DUO service center has been operating in Curaçao since April 2025.

In addition to assisting former students, DUO is organizing information sessions for prospective students interested in pursuing higher education in the Netherlands.

The sessions, organized in cooperation with Dutch universities of applied sciences, will provide students and parents with information about preparing to study abroad. Caribbean students already studying in the Netherlands will also share their experiences.

The information sessions will be held in St. Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

DUO encourages former students and prospective students to consult its official website for details about service locations, opening hours and information sessions.

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