Funding Options for Studying in the Netherlands
After choosing the university and the study program, students are primarily concerned with the financing options for studying in the Netherlands. The financial preparation takes into account that the cost of living in the Netherlands is slightly higher than in Germany and that there are usually tuition fees. It is therefore important to get an overview of the various financing options.
Funding for a semester abroad in the Netherlands
One or two semesters abroad in the Netherlands can be managed financially with the help of grants. This allows students to concentrate on their studies in peace and quiet and gain an insight into the culture of the Netherlands.
Foreign BAföG
One of the most popular financing options for studying in the Netherlands is the Auslands-BAföG. Although there is no country-specific foreign surcharge in the EU, it is still worthwhile in many cases to apply. Because even those who do not receive a domestic BAföG have a chance of state funding and benefit from additional surcharges for studying abroad.
Funded students receive
- an allowance for living expenses and accommodation
- Support with the costs of long-term care and health insurance
- a travel allowance
- the assumption of the tuition fees of up to EUR 4,600
- possibly a childcare allowance
The BAföG office in Cologne is responsible for the Netherlands.
Erasmus + from the DAAD
The German Academic Exchange Service eV regularly awards scholarships to German students who start a semester abroad. Funding from the Erasmus + program is provided for a study visit of up to twelve months in the Netherlands. This eliminates the Dutch tuition fees and the beneficiaries receive a monthly allowance for their living expenses. However, an existing cooperation between the home and target university is a prerequisite.
Grants
Those who spend a full academic year in the Netherlands have the opportunity to apply for the DAAD annual scholarship. The funding includes a grant to cover tuition fees, travel expenses, living expenses and insurance costs.
Many companies, organizations or foundations also sponsor short study trips in the Netherlands. Often they are aimed at students of certain subjects, with a very good grade point average or with the aim of completing an internship as well. In addition to various party-affiliated or religion-related foundations, this also includes those that are ideologically independent. In particular, trade union and employer-related foundations see the granting of grants as a special form of promoting young talent.
Financing options for a bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands
The path to the first university degree is not only supported by non-university institutions that are committed to the internationalization of German students. A bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands is also eligible for government funding.
Foreign BAföG
Financial support from the German state also applies to a bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university, as long as it is equivalent to a German university. As with the domestic BAföG, a new application is required every year. This financing option for studying in the Netherlands only covers tuition fees for a maximum of one year.
Dutch student loan
Under certain conditions, it is possible for German citizens and Swiss citizens under the age of 30 to obtain a Dutch student loan. You must be enrolled at a Dutch university as a full-time student and have been resident in the Netherlands for five years. If you move to Germany’s neighboring country to study, you have the chance to get a Dutch student loan with a part-time job of at least 56 hours a month. In addition to the burger service number (BSN), applicants also need Dutch health insurance.
This state funding currently consists of (as of spring 2017)
- a loan ( Lening ) of a maximum of EUR 481.60
- an increase scholarship ( Aanvullende beurs ) of not more than EUR 386.08 per month when parents below a certain income threshold
- a loan for tuition fees ( collegegeldkrediet ) at public and private universities in the Netherlands
- as well as a ticket for local public transport ( student travel product )
Funding is possible for a maximum of seven years for a four-year course. The BAföG office in Cologne offsets the possible foreign BAföG amount with the Dutch student loan. Anyone studying for more than ten years must repay the scholarship in addition to the loan and credit.
Students should submit the application Aanvraag studiefinanciering hoger onderwijs to the Dutch Ministry of Education as early as possible, as processing takes at least three months.
Grants
There are also suitable scholarships for students who are aiming for a Dutch Bachelor’s degree. As with a semester abroad, certain subjects or social engagement are often in the foreground. This type of financing option for studying in the Netherlands has the decisive advantage that students do not have to repay them later. The scholarships cover, for example, tuition fees or travel expenses.
Finding the right scholarship can take a long time. The scholarship database of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is a good place to go to compare the various offers. The scholarships traffic controller lists for example, to study in the Netherlands the British Council IELTS Award. The award supports English-language studies, as is possible at many Dutch universities.
Databases of this type also help students starting a Masters course in the Netherlands to find the right scholarship.
Other scholarship providers and financing options
The financing options for studying in the Netherlands, a country that belongs to European Union according to mysteryaround, include government grants and scholarships as well as student loans and education funds. It is important to find out exactly what the terms and conditions are.
One of the best-known student loans is the KfW student loan from the Reconstruction Loan Corporation. Many private banks also arrange this financing. In contrast to an education fund, the subject area of the student does not play a role here. In many cases, a student loan also supports shorter study stays in the Netherlands, such as a semester abroad.
