Scholarships and Student Financial Aid in Netherlands

DUO: government student finance

DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) runs the Dutch government's student finance system, known as studiefinanciering. It covers Dutch nationals and, under residency and work conditions, some EU/EEA students already living or working in the Netherlands. Eligibility for EU students depends on your work history and residency status, so check your personal situation directly with DUO before you count on this funding, since not every EU student who moves to study qualifies.

The system has four parts. The basic grant (basisbeurs) supports students who live away from their parents at a higher rate than those who stay at home. The supplementary grant (aanvullende beurs) adds extra support if your parents earn below a set income threshold. The student travel product covers public transport, and the tuition credit (collegegeldkrediet) lets you borrow the statutory fee amount and repay it after you finish studying. Exact amounts change every academic year, so check the current figures directly on the DUO website before you plan your budget.

Holland Scholarship

The NL Scholarship (formerly the Holland Scholarship) is a one-time award for students from outside the EEA who start a full bachelor's or master's degree at a participating Dutch institution. You apply through your chosen university, not directly through Nuffic or the government, and each institution sets its own number of awards and internal selection process. Check your university's own scholarship page for the current award amount and application window, since these differ by institution and year.

Erasmus+ and EU-level funding

If you already study in another EU country, Erasmus+ funds exchange semesters and some joint-degree programs that include a period in the Netherlands. Funding levels depend on your home institution and the length of your stay, so start with your current university's international office rather than applying directly.

Nuffic also runs country or region-specific programs, such as the MENA Scholarship Programme for students from the Middle East and North Africa. These do not apply to most European applicants, but check the full Nuffic scholarship list in case a niche program matches your background.

University and program scholarships

Individual Dutch universities run their own scholarship programs for incoming students, often targeted at specific regions, subjects or academic merit. Search the scholarship section of your target university's website and the Study in NL scholarship overview for a current list, since amounts, deadlines and eligibility differ by program.

The Orange Knowledge Programme, a scholarship route that previously funded students from a set list of countries, closed in 2024 and runs no new application rounds, so do not plan around it.

Practical tips for your scholarship search

• 🎓 Apply to the scholarship and the degree program at the same time, since most scholarships require an active or accepted application

• 📩 Check deadlines separately from your program's admission deadline, since scholarship rounds often close earlier

• 💶 Read what a scholarship covers: tuition only, or tuition plus living costs

• Contact your target university's international office directly if published information looks outdated

Typical scholarship timeline

Scholarship deadlines usually fall months before the program deadline itself. Popular scholarship programs at large universities close applications in November or December for a September start, well ahead of the 1 May general admission deadline. Build a separate calendar for scholarships alongside your program application calendar so you do not miss an earlier scholarship deadline while still working on your degree application.

Funding from your home country

Some national governments, regional authorities or private foundations in your home country fund students who study abroad, including in the Netherlands. Check with your own country's ministry of education, a national student finance agency or a relevant foundation before you assume Dutch or EU sources are your only option, since home-country funding sometimes covers more of your costs than Dutch-specific scholarships.

Combining funding sources

Most students studying in the Netherlands combine several funding sources rather than relying on one scholarship. A typical combination includes a partial scholarship covering part of your tuition, savings or family support for living costs, and part-time work once your visa or residency status allows it. Build your budget around your most reliable funding source first, then treat any scholarship as additional support rather than your only plan.