Scholarship Application Guide

How to Apply for Scholarships

Tips for a successful scholarship application in the Netherlands

Know Before You Start

Scholarships in the Netherlands are often competitive and limited, and many are partial (for example a one-time grant or a tuition waiver rather than full funding).

This guide shows you how to search, plan, and submit a strong scholarship application alongside your university admission.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these nine steps to find and apply for scholarships in the Netherlands

Step 1

Start with the Right Scholarship List

Most Dutch scholarships are offered through universities/faculties, and deadlines can differ by institution and even by programme.

Where to search:

StudyPath – Scholarships (good starting point for nationwide options)
Your target university's "Scholarships" pages (often the most up-to-date and specific)
Step 2

Understand Typical Scholarship Types

You'll commonly see:

Tuition waivers

sometimes reducing your fee to the EU-rate

Fixed grants

e.g., €5,000 in the first year

Merit scholarships

based on grades and class ranking

Programme/faculty awards

field-specific

Example: the NL Scholarship is €5,000 for the first year and is not a full-tuition scholarship.

Step 3

Check Eligibility Early

Before you write anything, confirm:

Nationality / fee status (some scholarships are for non-EU only)
Programme and start intake (some are for September intakes only)
Minimum academic requirements
Extra requirements (portfolio, work experience, field restrictions)

Many top merit awards explicitly expect very high grades, often around a Dutch 8.0/10 equivalent and sometimes "top 10% of class."

Step 4

Build a Timeline (Admission First, Then Scholarship)

In the Netherlands, you often need proof of admission (or being in the admission process) before you can apply for scholarships, so admissions and scholarships run in parallel.

1
T–6 to 9 months: Shortlist programmes + scholarship list
2
T–4 to 6 months: Submit programme application(s)
3
T–2 to 4 months: Submit scholarship applications (deadlines vary by university/faculty)
Step 5

Prepare a "Standard Document Pack"

Most scholarship applications ask for some combination of:

CV (academic + leadership + achievements)
Transcript(s) and diploma(s)
Motivation letter / personal statement
Recommendation letters (often 1–2)
Proof of English (if relevant)
Portfolio (design/creative fields)

Even for general admissions, it is important to understand that a strong motivation letter is to show fit, evidence, and direction.

Step 6

Write a Good Motivation Letter

A scholarship motivation letter is not the same as a programme motivation letter. It must answer: Why you, why now, and why this funding matters.

Strong structure (works for most scholarships):

1
Your goal (clear focus: field + problem you want to solve)
2
Evidence of excellence (grades, ranking, projects, publications, awards)
3
Impact & leadership (initiative, volunteering, entrepreneurship, community contribution)
4
Programme fit (specific courses, faculty, labs, track, career outcomes)
5
Why funding (what it unlocks; a realistic plan, not a sob story)

Tip: Some scholarships limit word count (e.g., UvA mentions a max 500-word motivation letter for a faculty scholarship page), so write tightly and tailor hard.

Step 7

Manage Recommendation Letters Like a Project

Ask early and help your referees write strong letters:

Give them your CV, transcript, draft motivation letter, and the scholarship criteria
Ask them to highlight specific evidence (top % ranking, research ability, initiative)
Confirm submission method (portal upload vs email)
Step 8

Submit Like a Professional

Before clicking "submit," do a final check:

Names match passport and application portal
Dates and GPA scale are consistent
All files are readable, properly named, and within size limits
You met the right deadline (faculty deadlines can differ)
Step 9

What to Expect After Submission

Common next steps:

Waiting period (often weeks)
Possible interview (especially for high-value scholarships)
Conditional offer (e.g., "admission required")

Some scholarships explicitly state what they do not cover (often living costs), so plan your funding mix.

StudyPath Tip: Make Your Application "Dutch-Competitive"

A lot of Dutch merit scholarships are looking for "future top performers," not just "good students." If you want a practical edge:

Translate your achievements into clear evidence (ranking, outcomes, impact)
Show fit with programme specifics (not generic praise)
Keep everything consistent across admission + scholarship materials

External Useful Links

Study in NL – Grantfinder

Nationwide scholarship overview and search

NL Scholarship

€5,000 first-year scholarship details

How StudyPath Helps

StudyPath can help you find the right scholarships, build a strong application, and manage deadlines — so you don't miss a single opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Scholarships in the Netherlands are often competitive and limited, and many are partial — for example a one-time grant or a tuition waiver rather than full funding.
In the Netherlands, you often need proof of admission (or being in the admission process) before you can apply for scholarships, so admissions and scholarships run in parallel.
Many top merit awards explicitly expect very high grades, often around a Dutch 8.0/10 equivalent and sometimes "top 10% of class."
The NL Scholarship is €5,000 for the first year and is not a full-tuition scholarship.
No. A scholarship motivation letter is not the same as a programme motivation letter. It must answer: Why you, why now, and why this funding matters.
Not always. Some scholarships explicitly state what they do not cover (often living costs), so plan your funding mix.