Study Abroad Scholarship · Undergraduate, Masters

Holland Scholarship

Q: Is the NL Scholarship a full scholarship covering all my costs?

No, the NL Scholarship is a partial scholarship, providing a one-time grant of €5,000 (approximately ₹5,49,000) for your first year of study. It is intended as a contribution towards your overall study and living costs, not as a full tuition or living expense coverage. Students should budget for the remaining tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs independently.

Q: Can I renew the NL Scholarship for my second year of study?

The NL Scholarship is a one-time grant exclusively for the first year of your Bachelor's or Master's programme. It is not renewable for subsequent academic years. Students are responsible for securing funding for the remainder of their studies.

Q: What are the key eligibility criteria for Indian students applying for the NL Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year?

For the 2026-27 academic year, Indian students must: hold a non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationality, be applying for a full-time Bachelor's or Master's programme at a participating Dutch higher education institution, meet the specific admission requirements of their chosen institution, and not hold a degree from an educational institution in the Netherlands.

Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science · All India

Annual Award€5,000 (approx. ₹5.5 Lakh+)

Deadline31 Oct

Scheme Name	Holland Scholarship
Provided By	Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Eligibility Summary	Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Holland Scholarship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

€5,000 (approx. ₹5.5 Lakh+)

The NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) provides a one-time grant of €5,000 for the first year of study. This amount is approximately ₹5,49,000, based on recent exchange rates. It is not a full-tuition scholarship but rather a contribution towards study and living costs. The grant is paid once during the first academic year and is not annually renewable. Disbursement details and payment schedules vary by the individual participating higher education institution.

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Nationality:Must hold a nationality from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Switzerland, and Suriname are not eligible.
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Degree Level:Must be applying for a full-time Bachelor's or Master's program at a participating Dutch higher education institution.
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Prior Education:Must not already hold a degree from a Dutch higher education institution. Taking part in an exchange program in the Netherlands does not make one ineligible.
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Academic & Language Requirements:Must meet the specific academic and language requirements (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL scores) of the chosen Dutch institution and program.
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First-Time Applicant:Generally, you should be a first-time applicant to study in the Netherlands at the degree level you are applying for.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education Level	Undergraduate, Masters
Course / Stream	Undergraduate, Masters
Income Limit	No income bar
Category / Caste	General, OBC, SC, ST
Domicile State	All India

Mandatory Documents Checklist

✓Completed admission application to a participating Dutch higher education institution
✓Completed NL Scholarship application form (often integrated into the university's admission system or a separate form)
✓Valid passport copy showing non-EEA nationality
✓Official academic transcripts and degree certificates (in English or Dutch)
✓Motivation letter/Statement of Purpose (typically 500-1000 words, tailored to the program and scholarship)
✓English language proficiency certificate (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
✓Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume (if required by the institution)
✓Proof of financial resources to cover living expenses and remaining tuition costs (for visa purposes, approximately €11,000-€14,000 per year)
✓Any additional documents specified by the chosen institution

Selection Process

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Candidates are selected based on academic excellence, outstanding study results in their previous field of study (e.g., grades, test scores, publications), and the relevance of their prior degree to the chosen Master's or Bachelor's programme
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A strong motivation letter explaining the relevance of studying in the Netherlands may also be considered
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Some institutions may also assess the quality and feasibility of the applicant's financial plan
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Selection criteria and specific academic requirements are determined by the individual participating Dutch higher education institutions.

Renewal Policy

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The NL Scholarship is a one-time grant awarded for the first year of study and is generally not renewable for subsequent years
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It is designed as a contribution to the initial study and living costs.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

1
Choose a Program and Institution
Identify a full-time Bachelor's or Master's degree program at one of the participating Dutch research universities or universities of applied sciences. Ensure the institution offers the NL Scholarship for your chosen program and academic intake (e.g., 2026-2027).
2
Check Eligibility
Confirm you meet the general NL Scholarship criteria (non-EEA nationality, applying for a full-time Bachelor's or Master's, no prior Dutch degree) and the specific admission requirements of your chosen institution.
3
Apply for Admission
Submit your application for admission to your chosen program through the university's standard application system. Scholarship eligibility often depends on holding a formal admission offer. Ensure you meet the university's admission deadline.
4
Indicate Scholarship Interest
During your university application, you will typically find an option to indicate your interest in the NL Scholarship. This might be a checkbox, a specific question, or a separate scholarship application section within the same system.
5
Submit Required Documents
Alongside your admission documents, you may need to submit additional materials for the scholarship, such as a motivation letter, academic transcripts, and a CV. Check your specific institution's requirements carefully.
6
Adhere to Deadlines
Scholarship deadlines are set by individual institutions and commonly fall between February 1 and May 1 for the academic year 2026-2027, although some can be as early as December. Always confirm the exact deadline on your target institution's website.
7
Track Your Application
Monitor the communication channels provided by your university for updates on your admission and scholarship decision. Note: There is no central status tracking portal for the NL Scholarship; all communication regarding your application and status updates will come directly from the university you applied to.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Is the NL Scholarship a full scholarship covering all my costs?

No, the NL Scholarship is a partial scholarship, providing a one-time grant of €5,000 (approximately ₹5,49,000) for your first year of study. It is intended as a contribution towards your overall study and living costs, not as a full tuition or living expense coverage. Students should budget for the remaining tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs independently.

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Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science website before final submission.