Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship) 2026
Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Scholarship Overview — What Is the Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship)?

The Holland Scholarship — officially renamed the NL Scholarship in June 2023 — is the Netherlands' national scholarship programme for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). It is jointly funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. For 2026–2027, applications opened on November 1, 2025.

If you still search for "Holland Scholarship", don't worry — it's the exact same programme. The name changed to align with the national "NL" branding used by Study in NL and the Dutch government's international education strategy, but the eligibility rules, the €5,000 award amount, and the application process are all unchanged.

The programme was established in 2014 following a policy framework from the Dutch Association of Universities (VSNU) and the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, with the goal of attracting talented non-EEA students to Dutch higher education. Unlike more prestigious fully funded awards, the NL Scholarship is deliberately designed to be accessible — broad in eligibility, straightforward to apply for, and open to both Bachelor's and Master's level students across most fields of study.

The key things to understand upfront: the NL Scholarship is not fully funded. The €5,000 is a one-time grant paid during your first year of study. Dutch university tuition for non-EEA students typically ranges from €8,000 to €20,000+ per year depending on the programme, and living costs in the Netherlands add roughly €10,000–€14,000 per year. The scholarship is best understood as a meaningful first-year contribution — not a complete financial solution. You will need to plan additional funding sources. That said, for many students the NL Scholarship is an excellent jumping-off point that, when combined with institutional grants from the university, can significantly reduce the financial burden of studying in the Netherlands.

Critically: there is no central application portal. You apply for the NL Scholarship through your target Dutch university's own application system. Each university manages its own selection, sets its own internal deadlines, and determines how many scholarships to award. This decentralised structure means your strategy must be university-specific — not one-size-fits-all.

What Does the NL Scholarship Cover — And What Doesn't It Cover?

Being honest about what the NL Scholarship covers is important for making smart financial plans. Here is a complete breakdown of every benefit, along with the real costs you will still need to cover:

Who Can Apply — NL Scholarship Eligibility Requirements for International Students

1. Nationality — Which Students Are Eligible?

The NL Scholarship is exclusively for non-EEA nationals. Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Switzerland, and Suriname are not eligible, even if they pay institutional (non-EEA) tuition rates. If you hold dual nationality and one of those nationalities is an EEA nationality, the EEA nationality takes precedence — making you ineligible for the NL Scholarship.

There is no country-specific priority list — students from all non-EEA countries worldwide are welcome to apply. This means the scholarship is equally open to students from India, China, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya, Vietnam, and any other non-EEA country.

2. Degree Level

• Bachelor's (BSc): Full-time bachelor's degree programmes at participating Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences are eligible.
• Master's (MSc / MA): Full-time master's degree programmes are eligible — including one-year and two-year master's programmes.
• Not eligible: Part-time programmes, distance learning, online degrees, short courses, exchange programmes, or pre-master preparatory programmes. The scholarship is for full enrolment in a degree programme only.
• PhD programmes: Doctoral programmes are not covered by the NL Scholarship. In the Netherlands, PhD candidates are typically employed as paid researchers (AIO positions) and receive a salary, not a scholarship.

3. No Previous Dutch Degree

You must not already hold a degree from a Dutch higher education institution. If you have previously completed any degree programme — bachelor's, master's, or otherwise — at a Dutch university or hogeschool, you are disqualified from the NL Scholarship. This rule applies even if your previous Dutch degree was from a different institution than the one you are now applying to.

4. Full Admission to a Participating Programme

You must be applying to a full-time programme at a participating Dutch institution. Not all Dutch universities participate in the NL Scholarship, and even within participating universities, not all programmes are eligible — each institution selects which of its programmes are included in the NL Scholarship scheme. Always verify that your specific chosen programme is NL Scholarship-eligible at your target institution before applying.

5. Meet the Institution's Own Requirements

Beyond the national criteria, each participating university sets additional selection requirements. These may include a minimum GPA or grade equivalent, language proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, or Dutch language certificates), specific academic background requirements, portfolio submissions (for creative programmes), and in some cases a separate scholarship application form. For example, Radboud University requires candidates to have applied for their Radboud Scholarship Programme simultaneously; other universities evaluate NL Scholarship applicants automatically from the admission pool.

Who Is NOT Eligible for the NL Scholarship?

• Citizens of EU/EEA countries (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, etc.), Switzerland, and Suriname
• Dual nationals where one nationality is EEA (your EEA passport takes precedence)
• Students who already hold a degree from a Dutch higher education institution
• Students applying for part-time, online, or distance learning programmes
• Exchange students or students on short-term mobility programmes
• PhD / doctoral students
• Students at non-participating Dutch institutions or in non-eligible programmes
• Students who have previously received the NL Scholarship (it can only be received once)
• Students already holding another Dutch government-funded scholarship (e.g. OKP — note: the Orange Knowledge Programme ended in December 2024)

Participating Universities — Where Can You Apply for the NL Scholarship?

The list of participating institutions changes each academic year. For 2026–2027, the following Dutch universities participate in the NL Scholarship. Note that even within these universities, individual programmes have their own eligibility — always verify on the specific institution's NL Scholarship page.

Check Your Eligibility & Track Your NL Scholarship Documents

Use the interactive tools below to instantly check if you qualify for the Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship) 2026, build your document checklist, compare statistics, and explore alternatives — all without leaving this page.

How to Apply for the Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship) — Step-by-Step Guide

Unlike many government scholarships that use a centralised portal, the NL Scholarship has no single application website. Every step happens through your chosen Dutch university. The process is actually more straightforward than most scholarship applications — but the decentralised nature means your biggest risk is missing an institution-specific deadline. Here is the complete process:

1. Choose your target Dutch university and programme (October–November)
   Start by identifying which participating Dutch universities offer a programme in your field of interest. Visit the studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship page for the current list of participating institutions. For each university on your shortlist, go to their specific NL Scholarship page (usually under "scholarships" or "financial aid") to verify: (a) that your specific programme is eligible for the NL Scholarship, and (b) what their institution-specific deadline is.
2. Apply for admission to your chosen programme (as early as possible)
   At most Dutch universities, admission applications are submitted through Studielink (studielink.nl) — the national Dutch higher education registration system. Create your Studielink account and start your admission application for your target programme. Note: some universities have their own admission portals (e.g. TU Delft uses its own system; some Master's programmes have separate portals). The NL Scholarship is typically linked to your admission application — you usually cannot apply for the scholarship without first initiating the admissions process.
3. Indicate your interest in the NL Scholarship (during or just after admission application)
   During your admission application, most institutions include a checkbox or question asking whether you wish to be considered for the NL Scholarship. Tick this box. Some institutions require a separate NL Scholarship application form submitted through a different portal — check your institution's instructions carefully. The method varies: some universities process the NL Scholarship automatically alongside admission; others (like Radboud University) require a completely separate scholarship application in their OSIRIS system.
4. Write your NL Scholarship Motivation Letter (500 words maximum)
   The motivation letter is the centrepiece of your NL Scholarship application. Campus France's guideline — and the Study in NL official instruction — specifies a maximum of 500 words. Your letter must address two things: why you are a talented student (drawing on academic achievements and grades), and why you are a well-rounded candidate (drawing on extracurricular activities such as voluntary work, leadership, sports, and community engagement). See the dedicated Motivation Letter section below for a full breakdown.
5. Upload supporting documents (by your institution's deadline)
   Prepare and upload all required supporting documents — transcripts, degree certificates, language certificates, passport copy, CV, and any institution-specific additional documents — through the university's application portal or scholarship form. Incomplete applications are typically rejected outright. Double-check each document against the institution's checklist.
6. Submit before the institution's specific scholarship deadline
   The scholarship deadline is almost always earlier than, or simultaneous with, the general admissions deadline. Missing the scholarship deadline means you will not be considered, even if your admission application is accepted. Deadlines vary widely: Radboud University's NL Scholarship deadline for 2026-2027 was January 31, 2026; other institutions have deadlines as late as May 2026. Always go by the official deadline on the institution's own website — never rely on third-party scholarship aggregators for dates.
7. Await the selection decision (typically April–July)
   The university's scholarship selection committee evaluates all eligible applicants. Selection criteria vary by institution but typically include academic excellence (grades and class ranking), the quality of the motivation letter, relevant experience, and — for some universities — the university's own ranking system. You will receive a notification directly from the university's financial aid or scholarship office. If selected, you will receive an official scholarship award letter.
8. Apply for your Dutch student visa or residence permit (MVV + VVR)
   Non-EEA students who are offered admission and the scholarship need a Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV) — a temporary entry visa — and then a Verblijfsvergunning Regulier (VVR) — a residence permit — from the IND. Your Dutch university's international office will typically sponsor your IND application as your recognised sponsor. The NL Scholarship award letter supports your application as evidence of financial resources. Begin this process as soon as you receive your admission and scholarship confirmation — IND processing can take 4–8 weeks.
9. Receive your €5,000 grant payment (first academic year)
   After enrolment is confirmed, the university disburses the €5,000 grant. Payment schedules vary: some universities pay in a single lump sum at the start of the year, while others split it into two instalments (e.g. €2,500 in November and €2,500 in March). Open a Dutch bank account (ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, or Bunq/Wise for international students) promptly upon arrival to receive the payment.

How to Write a Winning NL Scholarship Motivation Letter (500 Words)

The motivation letter is the single document most within your control in the NL Scholarship application. Unlike fully funded government scholarships that require elaborate career vision essays, the NL Scholarship motivation letter has a clear, dual structure: academic achievements + extracurricular activities. Here is exactly how to structure a high-impact 500-word letter:

Tips for Winning the Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship)

• Apply as early as possible — before the scholarship deadline, not the admission deadline. Many students miss the NL Scholarship because they treat the scholarship deadline as the same as the admissions deadline. They are almost always different. At Radboud University, for example, the 2026-2027 scholarship deadline was January 31, 2026 — months before the general admissions round. Check your institution's NL Scholarship page from November onwards.
• Apply to multiple universities simultaneously. Since each institution manages its own limited number of NL Scholarships, spreading your applications across 2–3 participating universities increases your chances significantly. You can hold multiple NL Scholarship offers and decline the ones you don't need — but you can only ultimately receive one.
• Verify your specific programme is eligible before you apply. Even at a fully participating university, individual programmes are sometimes excluded from the NL Scholarship scheme. A 10-minute check on the university's NL Scholarship page can save you weeks of wasted effort.
• Make your motivation letter specific to the institution. The strongest letters are tailored to the specific university and programme, not recycled from other applications. Reference specific faculty members, research groups, labs, or teaching methodologies that drew you to this particular programme. Generic letters stand out for the wrong reasons.
• Quantify your academic achievements. Instead of saying "I am a strong student", say "I graduated in the top 5% of my class of 240 students with a GPA of 3.85/4.0." Specific numbers give selection committees a concrete basis for comparison.
• Combine the NL Scholarship with a university-level excellence award. The NL Scholarship covers €5,000 of your first year. Many Dutch universities offer their own separate merit or excellence scholarships (TU Delft's van Effen Scholarship, Leiden's LExS, Utrecht's Excellence Scholarship) that can be applied for in parallel. These university awards often provide full tuition waivers or larger stipends and are the strongest path to minimising your total costs.
• Open a Dutch bank account quickly after arrival. The €5,000 is paid to a Dutch bank account after you enrol. New international students who delay opening a bank account sometimes experience delays in receiving their scholarship payment. Consider opening a Wise, Revolut, or Bunq account before arrival to avoid this.
• Understand the IND financial sufficiency requirement. The Dutch immigration authority (IND) requires you to demonstrate approximately €11,000–€14,000 in funds per year to support yourself as a student. The NL Scholarship alone (€5,000) does not meet this requirement. Make sure you have documented evidence of additional funds (savings, parental support letter, other scholarships) available when applying for your residence permit.
• Don't ignore universities of applied sciences (hogescholen). Many students focus exclusively on research universities. The hogescholen — including Fontys, The Hague University, HAN, and Hanze — also participate in the NL Scholarship and often have lower competition for available awards.

After Receiving the NL Scholarship — What Happens Next?

Receiving the NL Scholarship award letter is your gateway to studying in the Netherlands — here is what to do next:

• Confirm your acceptance: Universities typically require you to formally accept the scholarship award within a set window (often 2–4 weeks). Respond promptly — failure to respond means the scholarship passes to the next eligible candidate on the reserve list.
• Confirm your programme enrolment: Complete any remaining admission requirements and formally enrol in your programme through Studielink. Full enrolment is a prerequisite for receiving the scholarship payment.
• Apply for your Dutch visa and residence permit (MVV + VVR): Your university's International Office will guide you through the IND application as your recognised sponsor. You need both an MVV entry visa (applied for at your local Dutch Embassy or Consulate) and a VVR residence permit (processed by your university with the IND upon arrival). Processing times: 4–8 weeks typically.
• Arrange accommodation early: Dutch student accommodation is extremely competitive — especially in Amsterdam, Delft, Leiden, and Utrecht. Apply for university housing (DUWO, SSH, and other student housing providers) immediately after receiving your admission offer. Private market alternatives include Kamernet, HousingAnywhere, and local Facebook housing groups.
• Register with the Municipality (BRP): Within 5 days of arriving in the Netherlands, you must register with the local municipality (Gemeente) at the BRP (Basisregistratie Personen). This gives you a BSN (BurgerServiceNummer — Dutch citizen service number), which is required for opening a bank account, receiving the scholarship payment, arranging health insurance, and most formal transactions in the Netherlands.
• Get Dutch health insurance (Zorgverzekering): If you are employed (including student assistantships) or earn income in the Netherlands, Dutch law requires you to have a Dutch health insurance policy (zorgverzekering) within 4 months of starting work. Student-specific international health insurance plans are also available. Check with your university's international office.
• Open a Dutch bank account: Open an account with ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, or a modern fintech like Bunq, N26, or Revolut as soon as possible after you obtain your BSN. Your NL Scholarship payment will be deposited here.
• Budget carefully for years 2+: Remember — the NL Scholarship is a one-time first-year award. Begin planning your Year 2 funding immediately. Options include: on-campus student assistant (student-assisstent) roles at your university, part-time work (up to 16 hours/week during the academic year), research assistant positions, and other scholarships or grants.
• Join the Study in NL alumni community: NL Scholarship recipients are part of a broad community of Dutch-educated international alumni. The Study in NL community and your university's international alumni network are valuable resources for career development, networking, and mentoring opportunities in the Netherlands and internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship)