The government’s plan to charge slow students higher fees from the next academic year is not against the law and does not hinder people from going to university, a judge in The Hague ruled on Wednesday.

However, the higher fee should not be applied to part-time students who began their degrees prior to February 2011, the court said.
Student organisations went to court in an effort to have the €3,000 extra fee ruled illegal. Most students have four years to complete their basic degree before the higher fee kicks in.
Student groups said they are disappointed with the ruling in general, but welcomed the exemption for part-time students. Kai Heijnman, chairman of the LSVb students’ union, pointed out that political support for the extra charge is waning.
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