The NL Scholarship, formerly known as the Holland Scholarship, offers financial support to eligible students starting a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at participating Dutch universities.
This guide covers what you need to know from eligibility and benefits to application steps and deadlines.
Table of Contents
About the NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship):
The NL Scholarship (formerly known as the Holland Scholarship) is designed for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who aspire to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Netherlands.
This scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, in collaboration with Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences.
Recipients are awarded a one-time grant of €5,000, provided during the first year of study.
A note: this is not a full-tuition scholarship and is intended to help with initial study costs.
Eligibility Criteria:
Before applying for the NL Scholarship Program, make sure you meet the following requirements regarding your nationality and study program
Eligible Countries
This scholarship is available only to international students from non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) countries. The European Economic Area includes countries in the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway
Eligibility Requirements
- Your nationality must be from a non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) country.
- You must be applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at one of the participating Dutch higher education institutions.
- You must meet the specific admission requirements of the institution you choose. These can be found on the institution’s official website.
- You must not have a degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands.
Note: For full details on eligibility, application requirements, and the list of participating institutions, please visit the official NL Scholarship website. You may also check the list of participating universities in this guide (just scroll down).
Benefits:
The NL Scholarship provides limited financial support to help international students begin their studies at participating universities in the Netherlands.
- Amount: €5,000 (one-time only)
- When you receive it: During the first year of your bachelor’s or master’s program
Important Note: This is not a full-tuition scholarship
Application Deadline:
Since each participating university may have its own deadline, it is important to check the official website of the institution you are applying to for the exact dates and requirements and etc..
Requirements:
To apply for the NL Scholarship, you need to prepare and submit certain documents along with your application, depending on the requirements of each university.
General Required Documents
- Proof of nationality (passport or national ID showing you are from a non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) country)
- Academic transcripts or certificates from previous education
- Proof of admission or application to a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program at a participating Dutch university
- Motivation letter or personal statement (if required by the university)
- Additional documents as requested by the specific institution (e.g., language proficiency certificates, recommendation letters)
Note: For detailed information about the requirements and application process, visit the official NL Scholarship website here.
How to Apply: Step-by-step
Applying for the NL Scholarship involves several important steps. Follow these steps carefully to complete your application:
Step 1: Choose your preferred program and university in the Netherlands.
Step 2: Visit the university’s official website to check admission and scholarship deadlines and requirements.
Step 3: Apply for admission through the university’s application system.
Step 4: Submit the required documents for both admission and the NL Scholarship.
Step 5: Follow any additional steps required by the university for the scholarship application.
Step 6: Wait for the admission and scholarship decision from the university.
Note: For more detailed information, visit the official website of each university or the NL Scholarship official website here or scroll below.
Participating Universities:
The list of universities participating in the NL Scholarship changes every year. Below is an overview of the Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences participating in the NL Scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Scroll down to see the full list of participating institutions.
Participating Research Universities (2025–2026)
- Utrecht University
- University of Groningen
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Maastricht University
- VU Amsterdam
- Radboud University
- Delft University of Technology
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- University of Twente
- Theological University Apeldoorn
- Theological University Kampen
Participating Universities of Applied Sciences (2025–2026)
- Aeres University of Applied Sciences
- Amsterdam University of the Arts
- ArtEZ Institute of the Arts
- Breda University of Applied Sciences
- Codarts Rotterdam
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- Fontys University of Applied Sciences
- Gerrit Rietveld Academie
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Hanze University of Applied Sciences
- Hotelschool The Hague
- Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
- HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- HAN University of Applied Sciences
- HKU University of Applied Sciences
- HZ University of Applied Sciences
- NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences
- University of the Arts, The Hague
- Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
Note: Visit the official website of each university for detailed information on application deadlines, programs offered, and scholarship requirements.
Contact Details:
If you have any questions regarding the NL Scholarship or studying in the Netherlands, you may contact Nuffic through the following details:
Phone: Tel, +31 (0)70 – 4260 260
Call Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CET)
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (CET)
Postal Address: Nuffic, PO Box 29777 2502 LT The Hague, The Netherland
Visiting Address: Nuffic, Kortenaerkade 11, 2518 AX The Hague, The Netherlands
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (CET)
Note: This contact information is current as of the time of writing and is sourced from the official website visit the official contact page.
Final Thought:
The NL Scholarship provides helpful financial assistance to international students from non-EEA countries who plan to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Netherlands. Although it’s not a full-tuition scholarship, the €5,000 grant can support your first year of studies and lighten some of the expenses.
Be sure to check the specific eligibility and application requirements of your chosen university. Prepare your documents early and follow the application process carefully.
Explore your options, stay informed through official sources, and take the next step toward your educational goals in the Netherlands.
Don’t forget to explore other scholarships that may assist in funding your education, whether they are local, National, or international.
Check out the scholarship guides on this website for additional options.
Reference:
- Nuffic. (n.d.). NL Scholarship. Study in NL. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship
- Nuffic. (n.d.). Contact details. Study in NL. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://www.studyinnl.org/contact-details
- ScholarshipRoar. (n.d.). NL Scholarship 2025 | Study in the Netherlands. Retrieved May 21, 2025, from https://scholarshiproar.com/nl-scholarship/
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