🇳🇱 Netherlands · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Netherlands — government, university, and international programs.
Quick answer
In the Netherlands, the main national award is the Holland Scholarship (funded by the Ministry of Education and Dutch universities, for non-EEA students), alongside the Orange Knowledge Programme (via Nuffic, for students from selected countries) and many university scholarships. Explore options on the Study in NL site and apply by each deadline.
The flagship national award for non-EEA students is the NL Scholarship (formerly the Holland Scholarship) — €5,000 in the first year, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education and participating universities. Many universities offer their own scholarships, and the Orange Knowledge / other programmes fund specific countries. Study in NL (run by Nuffic) is the official starting point.
- The NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) gives €5,000 in the first year to non-EEA students.
- Many Dutch universities offer their own scholarships.
- Study in NL (Nuffic) is the official information source.
Step-by-step
- 1
Map the funding landscape
Map Dutch funding: the Holland Scholarship (Education Ministry + universities), the Orange Knowledge Programme (Nuffic) and university awards.
- 2
Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
- 4
Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
- 5
Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
- 6
Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
Checklist
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
Official authorities
- NL Scholarship (Study in NL / Nuffic)
Official national scholarship.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Holland Scholarship?
A scholarship for non-EEA students, funded by the Ministry of Education and participating Dutch universities, awarded via the university.
What is the Orange Knowledge Programme?
A Nuffic-run programme funding study and training for students from selected developing countries.
Do Dutch universities offer scholarships?
Yes — most offer their own merit scholarships for international students, listed on the Study in NL site and their own pages.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of the Netherlands — Central government policy and public-service portal
- Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) — Residence permits, visas, and naturalisation
- Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) — Dutch income tax, VAT, and tax-number registration
- Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) — Company registration and the business register