Want to Study in the Netherlands? The NL Scholarship Could Be Your Secret Weapon

Let’s get real - studying abroad is amazing, but also seriously expensive. Between tuition fees, flights, and trying not to survive on instant noodles every day, it’s a lot. But what if I told you that the Netherlands has a little surprise for international students that could give your wallet a break?

Yep, I’m talking about the NL Scholarship (you might’ve heard it called the Holland Scholarship before). And spoiler alert: it’s open for applications now.

So, what’s the deal?

The NL Scholarship was developed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, in collaboration with various leading Dutch universities. It primarily focuses on students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) seeking to pursue full-time bachelor's or master's programs in the Netherlands.

In case you are selected, you will receive EUR 5,000 or INR 4.9 Lakhs during your first year of study.

No, it won’t pay for your whole degree (sorry to crush your full-scholarship dreams), but it’s a great boost—especially when you’re settling into a new country.
 

Am I eligible?

Let’s break it down:

• You’re not from an EEA country.
• You’re applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s at a participating Dutch university or applied sciences uni.
• You don’t already have a degree from a Dutch institution.
• You meet the requirements set by the uni of your choice (these vary, so check their website).

Basically, if you’ve got your eyes on the Netherlands and you’re not an EU passport holder, you’ve already ticked the first box.
 

Who’s offering this?

Tons of well-known universities are in on this, including:

• Utrecht University
• University of Groningen
• Maastricht University
• Delft University of Technology
• VU Amsterdam
• And a bunch of universities of applied sciences like Fontys, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences
   

How do I apply?

Here’s the cool part: you don’t need to fill out a separate scholarship form. Just apply to your dream university in the Netherlands, and if they’re part of the NL Scholarship programme, they’ll automatically consider you.

BUT! Each university has its own application deadline, so do yourself a favour and check that ASAP. Don’t be that person who misses out because they waited till the night before.

Official link
 

A quick FYI on ethics

The people running this scholarship are serious about keeping things fair. That means no shady behaviour, no dodgy financial stuff, and definitely no funny business with shell companies. They follow a strict Code of Conduct, so everyone plays by the rules.
 

Why is it worth applying?

Look, EUR 5,000 might not cover everything—but it does make a difference. That’s rent, flights, groceries, or the freedom to not work three part-time jobs while adjusting to life abroad.

And beyond the money, being selected for a scholarship like this? It's a big tick on your resume and shows that you stood out from the crowd.

So, ready to take your Dutch dream seriously?

Pick your uni, check the deadline, and start prepping. This could be the push that gets you from “just thinking about it” to actually moving to the Netherlands.