The NL Scholarship—formerly known as the Holland Scholarship—is a €5,000 one‑year grant funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture & Science in partnership with Dutch universities and applied sciences institutions. It supports non‑EEA students (i.e., those from outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname) enrolling in full‑time bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in the Netherlands.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the 2026 intake, applicants must:
- Hold non‑EEA nationality.
- Be applying for a full‑time bachelor’s or master’s program at a participating Dutch higher‑education institution.
- Not already hold a degree from the Netherlands.
- Meet all program-specific admission criteria and possess strong academic results (e.g., a solid GPA or grades) .
What Does It Cover?
- A one-time payment of €5,000 during your first academic year—which can significantly offset living expenses like rent, food, and transportation.
- This is not a tuition waiver, so students must still plan for and cover their own tuition costs.
Participating Institutions (2025–2026)
- Research Universities: Utrecht, Groningen, Erasmus Rotterdam, Maastricht, VU Amsterdam, Radboud, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Twente, Theological University Apeldoorn and Kampen.
- Universities of Applied Sciences: Aeres, Amsterdam University of the Arts, ArtEZ, Breda, Codarts Rotterdam, Design Academy Eindhoven, Fontys, Gerrit Rietveld, The Hague, Hanze, Hotelschool The Hague, Rotterdam, HU Utrecht, HAN, HKU, HZ, NHL Stenden, Saxion, University of the Arts The Hague, Zuyd.
Note: The exact list may change, and some universities update eligible programs yearly, so always check with your target institution.
Deadlines & Application Process
The deadline varies by institution.
How to Apply:
- Secure admission to an eligible program at the university of your choice.
- Apply for the NL Scholarship via the same portal—most institutions allow you to tick the scholarship box during admission or submit a separate form.
- Submit required documents: motivation letter, academic transcript, proof of admission, and possibly a financial plan or reference letter.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE SCHOLARSHIP PAGE
Application Tips
- Apply early—many schools open the NL Scholarship form along with admission applications or shortly after.
- Write a compelling motivation letter focusing on academic merit, your reasons for choosing the Netherlands, and how the scholarship supports your goals.
- Ensure complete documentation—incomplete applications are often rejected without review .
- For master’s studies, check for higher-value options like Utrecht’s tiered €5k–€15k NL Scholarship.
Who Should Consider It?
- Students from outside the EU/EEA seeking partial financial support for studies in Europe.
- Those aiming for reputable universities like Utrecht, Maastricht, Delft, or Groningen.
- Academically strong candidates needing extra funding to manage tuition and living costs.
The NL Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious, €5,000 non‑tuition grant aimed at helping excellent students from beyond Europe start their studies in the Netherlands. With multiple participating universities and two annual application rounds at some schools, it offers a significant boost—but the key to success is early application, academic excellence, and meticulous documentation.
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