NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship) 2027–28 – €5,000 Grant for Non-EEA Students in the Netherlands
The NL Scholarship (formerly the Holland Scholarship, renamed in June 2023) is the Netherlands’ national scholarship for students from outside the European Economic Area. It is a partial award: a one-off grant of €5,000 paid in the first year of a Bachelor’s or Master’s at a participating Dutch university or university of applied sciences. Some institutions top this up, so check the one you choose.
Deadline: you apply through your chosen institution, not a central portal. Typical closing dates are 1 February or 1 May, and some institutions set their own date (one source lists dates as late as 1 April 2027). Always confirm with your institution’s scholarship page.
Eligibility
- Non-EEA nationality (EU and EEA citizens, Switzerland and Suriname are excluded)
- Applying to a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s at a participating Dutch institution
- No previous Dutch degree at the same level
- Meeting the admission requirements and any extra rules set by the institution
Why It Is Only Partial Funding
Non-EEA tuition in the Netherlands often runs from about €8,000 to over €20,000 per year, plus living costs, so €5,000 will not cover a full degree. Treat it as a helpful contribution and plan other funding, such as a university scholarship, employer support or savings.
How to Apply
- Pick a participating institution and programme and read its NL Scholarship page.
- Apply for admission first, and make sure your passport and transcripts are ready.
- Submit the institution’s scholarship form before its deadline, which is often earlier than the admission deadline for non-EEA students.
- Wait for the institution’s decision; the grant is paid once, in your first year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get it for the second year? No, the grant is awarded once, for the first year only.
Can African students apply? Yes. Any non-EEA national can apply, with no country priority list.
Who Benefits Most From the NL Scholarship
The NL Scholarship works best for students who have already secured admission or funding for most of their costs and need a contribution to close the gap. It is also useful as one part of a package, since many institutions offer their own scholarships that can be combined where the rules allow. Because it is available for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and to every non-EEA nationality, it has a wider reach than many country-specific awards.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Autumn 2026 to early 2027: institutions publish their NL Scholarship pages and application forms
- 1 February 2027: a common deadline for many institutions
- 1 April 2027: a later closing date reported by some institutions
- 1 May 2027: the other common national deadline
- Spring and summer 2027: institutions decide and notify students
- September 2027: first-year payment after you start your studies
Because the scholarship is run by each institution, dates are not centralised. A university that closes its admissions for non-EEA students earlier than others may also close its scholarship earlier.
How the Application Usually Works
- Choose a participating university or university of applied sciences and a full-time programme.
- Check the institution’s admission deadline for non-EEA students, which is often months before the scholarship deadline.
- Submit your application for admission, with transcripts, diploma, language test and passport copy.
- Complete the institution’s NL Scholarship form, which may ask for a motivation letter or short essay.
- Wait for the institution’s decision. The grant is awarded once and cannot be repeated for the second year.
Eligibility Details to Check
- You hold a passport from a non-EEA country, and a residence permit does not replace this requirement
- You have not previously earned a Dutch degree at the same level
- You are applying for a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s programme
- You meet the institution’s academic and language requirements
- You respect the integrity rules published by Nuffic
Budgeting Realistically
Non-EEA tuition in the Netherlands frequently ranges from about €8,000 to well over €20,000 a year, and living costs can add roughly €10,000 to €14,000. A €5,000 grant is helpful but not enough on its own. Make a simple budget that includes tuition, rent, health insurance, food, transport and residence permit costs, and compare it with your savings, family support and other scholarships. Also check whether your institution offers a larger scholarship of its own.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming it is a full scholarship and not budgeting for the rest
- Applying to the scholarship without first applying for admission
- Missing the institution-specific deadline because you checked only the national dates
- Believing a residence permit makes you eligible, when only non-EEA nationality counts
More Questions Applicants Ask
Is the scholarship the same as the Holland Scholarship? Yes. It was renamed in 2023, though some university forms still use the old name.
Are Ugandan, Kenyan and Tanzanian students eligible? Yes, any non-EEA nationality can apply, provided the institution’s rules are met.
Where do I apply? Directly through the institution you plan to attend, using the official Study in NL information as a guide.
Final Checklist Before You Apply
- You confirmed that your nationality is outside the EEA
- You found the institution’s own NL Scholarship page and noted its closing date
- You applied for admission before the scholarship deadline
- You prepared a clear scan of your passport bio page, your diploma and your transcripts
- You wrote a short motivation text if the institution asks for one
If you are not selected, do not stop. Ask the institution about other scholarships, check the other scholarships listed on the official Study in NL website, and look at employer or home-government funding. Many students combine several partial awards to cover a Dutch degree.
Tips for a Competitive Application
Because each institution runs its own selection, read the scholarship page carefully and answer exactly what it asks. Some institutions weigh academic results most heavily, while others ask for motivation or diversity of background. Apply early so that your admission and scholarship documents are processed together.
A Note on Official Information
Scholarship rules, participating institutions and deadlines can change from year to year. Use the official Study in NL website and your chosen institution’s page as the final source before you submit, and keep a record of the dates you were given in case you need to ask the admissions team a question.
Related Scholarships on Scholarza
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarships 2027-2028 (EU, Multi-Country) – Deadlines From October 2026
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-2028 – Applications Now Open (Country-Specific Deadlines)
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Pan-African Partner Universities (Undergraduate & Masters)
