NL Scholarship

Overview

The NL Scholarship, formerly the Holland Scholarship, is a grant for international students from outside the European Economic Area who want to study at a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences. It gives you a one-off EUR 5,000 payment in your first year. It is financed jointly by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the participating higher education institutions, and coordinated through Nuffic, the Dutch organization for internationalization in education.

The grant is not a tuition waiver and it does not cover your whole degree. Think of it as a head start on your first-year costs, whether that goes toward tuition, housing, or other expenses. In some cases you can combine it with other scholarships offered by your institution, which makes it a useful piece of a larger funding plan rather than a standalone full ride.

Each participating institution runs its own selection. That means the criteria, the application form, and the closing date are set by the university you apply to, even though the grant itself is the same EUR 5,000 across the board. If you are a non-EEA student heading to the Netherlands for a Bachelor's or Master's, this is one of the more accessible grants to target.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and participating institutions (coordinated by Nuffic)
Host Country	Netherlands
Degree Levels	Bachelor's, Master's
Value	EUR 5,000, paid once in the first year
Deadline	Set by each institution, often 1 February or 1 May; 2026-2027 applications opened 1 November 2025
Eligible Nationalities	Non-EEA nationals
Official Website	studyinnl.org NL Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You need to hold a nationality from outside the European Economic Area. The EEA covers the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, so students from those countries are not eligible for this particular grant.

Academic and Program Requirements

You apply for a full-time Bachelor's or Master's program at one of the participating Dutch research universities or universities of applied sciences. You also need to meet the specific academic criteria that your chosen institution sets for the scholarship.

Prior Education Requirements

You cannot already hold a degree from a Dutch educational institution. The grant is aimed at students coming into the Dutch system, not those continuing within it.

Institution-Specific Requirements

Because each university manages its own NL Scholarship selection, there may be extra conditions, such as which programs are covered or how many awards are available. Check the scholarship page of the institution you are applying to.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A one-off grant of EUR 5,000 paid during your first year of study
• Flexible use, since it is a cash grant you can put toward tuition, living costs, or other expenses
• The possibility of combining it with some institutional scholarships, depending on the university

The grant does not cover full tuition, and it does not repeat in later years. You will need to plan for the rest of your tuition and living costs through savings, other scholarships, or family support.

How to Apply

1. Pick a participating institution: Choose a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences that offers the NL Scholarship and check that your program qualifies.
2. Apply for admission: Submit your application to the Bachelor's or Master's program you want to study, following the institution's admission process.
3. Read the scholarship page: Find the NL Scholarship details on your chosen institution's website, since the criteria and deadline are set there.
4. Submit the scholarship application: Complete the institution's NL Scholarship application form and provide the documents it asks for before the closing date.
5. Meet the institution's deadline: Many institutions close on 1 February or 1 May, but dates vary, so confirm the exact deadline for your program.
6. Wait for the decision: The institution selects recipients and notifies you. If awarded, the EUR 5,000 is paid in your first year.

Required Documents

• A completed NL Scholarship application form from your institution
• Proof of admission or a pending application to a qualifying program
• A valid passport or proof of non-EEA nationality
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• A motivation letter, if the institution requires one
• Proof of English or Dutch language ability, depending on the program
• Any extra documents listed on the institution's scholarship page

Key Dates & Deadlines

The annual cycle for the NL Scholarship usually opens in the autumn before the intake year. For 2026-2027, applications opened on 1 November 2025. The closing dates are set by each participating institution and commonly fall on 1 February or 1 May, lining up with the program's intake. Because there is no single nationwide deadline, the only reliable date is the one published by the institution you are applying to, so confirm it early and work backward from there.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Confirm your nationality is outside the EEA before you start, so you do not waste effort
• Apply for admission early, since the scholarship usually requires you to be in the admission pipeline
• Read your institution's NL Scholarship page line by line for its specific criteria and deadline
• Ask whether you can stack the grant with another institutional scholarship to cover more of your costs
• Submit a clean, complete application well before the closing date

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming there is one universal deadline when each institution sets its own
• Applying when you already hold a degree from a Dutch institution, which makes you ineligible
• Expecting the grant to cover full tuition or to repeat each year
• Overlooking the language test requirement for your program
• Missing institution-specific documents that are listed only on its scholarship page

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NL Scholarship?

The NL Scholarship, formerly the Holland Scholarship, is a EUR 5,000 grant for non-EEA students starting a Bachelor's or Master's at a participating Dutch university. It is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education and the institutions, and coordinated by Nuffic.

How much is the NL Scholarship worth?

It is EUR 5,000, paid once during your first year of study. It is not a full-tuition scholarship and does not repeat in later years.

Who is eligible for the NL Scholarship?

You need a non-EEA nationality, a place on a full-time Bachelor's or Master's at a participating Dutch institution, and no prior degree from a Dutch institution. You also have to meet your institution's own criteria.

Is the NL Scholarship fully funded?

No. It is a partial grant of EUR 5,000 toward your first-year costs. You will need other funding for the rest of your tuition and living expenses.

What is the deadline for the NL Scholarship?

There is no single deadline. Each participating institution sets its own closing date, often 1 February or 1 May. For 2026-2027, applications opened on 1 November 2025. Check your institution's scholarship page for the exact date.

Does the NL Scholarship cover tuition?

It is not a tuition waiver. It is a cash grant you can put toward tuition, housing, or other costs as you choose.

Can I combine the NL Scholarship with other scholarships?

In some cases, yes. It can be combined with certain institutional scholarships, depending on the rules of the university you apply to.

How do I apply for the NL Scholarship?

You apply through the participating institution. After applying for admission, you complete the institution's NL Scholarship application form and submit it with the required documents before its deadline.

What documents do I need for the NL Scholarship?

You typically need the institution's scholarship form, proof of admission or application, a passport, transcripts, and possibly a motivation letter and proof of language ability. Confirm the exact list on the institution's page.

Was the NL Scholarship previously called something else?

Yes. It was previously known as the Holland Scholarship before being renamed the NL Scholarship.