Step one is to log in to DUO to see how much you owe. It might feel a bit daunting, but it’s important to know where you stand.
"},"title":"Check your student debt on DUO"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Once you know your total debt, you can use DUO to estimate your monthly repayment. This amount depends on several factors, such as the size of your debt, the interest rate, whether you have 15 or 35 years to repay, and your income level.
"},"title":"Calculate your monthly repayment"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"For the first two years after graduating, you don’t have to start repaying yet. This is called the grace period. You can start earlier if you prefer. You can find more information about the grace period on DUO.
"},"title":"The grace period"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Create an overview of how much money comes in and goes out each month. It helps you understand your financial situation once repayment starts.
"},"title":"Get insight into your income and expenses"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Repaying faster is an option. Just make sure it fits your situation. Think about the pros and cons and what works best for you. Check DUO for more information about repaying your student debt.
"},"title":"Repaying faster"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"If you receive a financial windfall, you may choose to make an extra repayment. If you experience a setback, you can temporarily pause your repayments for up to 60 months. Keep in mind this does extend your total repayment period.
"},"title":"Unexpected windfall or setback"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"What are you looking forward to once your student debt is fully paid off? Buying a home? A new car? Keeping your goals in mind can help you stay motivated while repaying your student loan.
Good to know: the information on this page provides general tips and is not personal financial advice. A student loan debt can affect choices you make later on, such as applying for a mortgage. Want to know more? Take a look at this page about student loan debt and mortgages
"},"title":"Keep your goals in mind"}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"ea7aee01-a795-47cf-b410-243eda45dec6","localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Banking for students","url":"/en/personal/students"}},"componentType":"productHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"There’s a good chance you built up some student debt during your studies, and at some point, that debt will need to be repaid. Not exactly fun, of course, but the tips below can help you get started.","headerImage":{"altTextDE":"\"\"","altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/1b834d9bfd2c36ab/original/Young-woman-staring-at-her-laptop-at-home.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/215bdd0d-3634-42d2-a358-fcb74084da97/Young-woman-staring-at-her-laptop-at-home","type":"image","width":5616},"title":"Tips for repaying your student debt"}},"publishDate":"2026-04-23T14:28:47.346+02:00"}}