Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands: Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

What if you could study for a master’s degree in Europe without paying international tuition fees and receive tens of thousands of euros toward your living expenses? For some high-achieving international students, that opportunity exists.

One of the closest and most generous opportunities is the **Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship**, which for the 2027–2028 academic year provides **€38,750 in living expenses over 25 months** for selected students on eligible two-year master’s programmes. The scholarship also covers tuition fees, visa costs, health and liability insurance, and other approved study-related expenses.

This guide explains how the funding works, who can qualify, which other Netherlands scholarships are worth considering, what documents you need, and how to apply successfully.

## What Does “Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands” Actually Mean?

The phrase **“Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands”** should not be interpreted as the Dutch government giving every successful applicant a €40,000 cash payment.

Instead, it refers to the total value of financial support that can be provided through certain fully funded scholarship packages.

For example, the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship currently lists **€38,750 in living expenses for a 25-month, two-year master’s programme**. In addition, the scholarship covers tuition fees at cost, visa application costs, health and liability insurance, and approved pre-academic training expenses.

This distinction is important.

A scholarship may have a stated living allowance while separately paying tuition and other expenses directly. Therefore, the total financial value of an award can be substantially higher than the amount deposited into a student’s personal account.

### What is a fully funded scholarship?

A **fully funded scholarship** is financial support that covers most or all of the major costs associated with studying abroad. Depending on the programme, this can include:

* Tuition fees
* Monthly or annual living allowance
* Accommodation or housing support
* Health insurance
* Visa or residence permit costs
* Travel expenses
* Research or academic expenses
* Orientation or pre-academic training

However, “fully funded” does not always mean that absolutely every personal expense is covered. Applicants should always read the scholarship’s official funding breakdown before making financial commitments.

## Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands Through the Maastricht University Scholarship

The **Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship** is one of the most relevant opportunities for international students searching for high-value funding in the Netherlands.

For the **2027–2028 academic year**, Maastricht University says it offers **18 full scholarships** to highly talented students from outside the European Union. The scholarship combines the High Potential Scholarship with the Dutch NL Scholarship.

The financial package is particularly attractive for students enrolling in qualifying two-year master’s programmes.

### Maastricht University funding package

The living-expense amounts above are the current figures published by Maastricht University for the 2027–2028 scholarship cycle.

So, while the headline says **Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands**, the more accurate explanation is that a successful student on a qualifying two-year programme can receive **€38,750 in living-expense support**, while major education and relocation costs are also covered.

That is why this scholarship can have a total financial value significantly above €40,000.

### Who can apply?

The Maastricht University scholarship is highly competitive. Applicants generally need to:

* Be a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland or Suriname.
* Apply for an eligible full-time master’s programme at Maastricht University.
* Meet the admission requirements for the selected master’s programme.
* Have never participated in a degree-seeking higher education programme in the Netherlands.
* Demonstrate excellent academic performance.
* Generally have a GPA equivalent of **7.5/10 or higher** in their most recent educational programme.
* Be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027.
* Meet the immigration and visa requirements for studying in the Netherlands.
* Be willing to participate as a university ambassador where required.

Maastricht University also warns that this is a very competitive scholarship, with approximately **2% of applicants receiving an award**.

This means applicants should not rely on the scholarship as their only plan. A strong strategy is to apply for several appropriate scholarships and universities simultaneously.

## Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands: 2027 Application Deadline

For students targeting the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship for the **2027–2028 academic year**, applications opened on **1 October 2026**.

The scholarship application deadline is:

**1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET.**

There is an earlier requirement that is especially important. Applicants must submit their complete application for an eligible Maastricht University master’s programme by **10 December 2026**.

This means waiting until February to start the university admission process can be a serious mistake.

The recommended approach is:

1. Find an eligible master’s programme.
2. Check the admission requirements.
3. Apply through Studielink.
4. Complete the Maastricht University application.
5. Obtain your student number.
6. Submit the scholarship application.
7. Complete the scholarship application before the final deadline.

Maastricht University states that students first apply for the master’s programme and receive a student ID before completing the scholarship application.

## Other Fully Funded and High-Value Scholarships in the Netherlands

The Maastricht scholarship is not the only opportunity.

International students should understand the difference between **fully funded scholarships**, **full tuition scholarships**, and **partial scholarships**.

### 1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

The **Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters** programme is one of Europe’s best-known scholarship routes for international students.

Students from around the world can apply to participating master’s programmes. These programmes are delivered by international consortia of universities, meaning students may study in more than one European country during their degree.

The European Commission says full scholarships are available for the best-ranked applicants and can contribute toward participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living expenses.

The programmes generally last between **one and two academic years**.

Applications are made directly to the institution or consortium running the particular master’s programme. In most cases, applications for programmes beginning the following academic year are submitted between **October and January**, although individual programmes set their own deadlines.

This is particularly useful for students who want European study experience extending beyond the Netherlands.

### 2. University of Twente Scholarship

The **University of Twente Scholarship (UTS)** is another option for high-performing non-EU/EEA students applying for eligible master’s programmes.

The current scholarship value is **€3,000 to €22,000 for one year**. For eligible two-year programmes, an additional award may be available for the second year if the student meets the continuation requirements.

For the September 2027 intake, the scholarship application opens on **15 October 2026**, with the final deadline listed as **1 April 2027 at 16:00 CET**.

One important point is that the University of Twente describes the UTS as compensation for study-related costs. It does not automatically mean that tuition fees are paid directly by the university on behalf of the student.

### 3. VU Fellowship Programme

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers the **VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP)** for talented prospective non-EU/EEA master’s students.

The programme is merit-based and provides a tuition-fee waiver for selected students. VU Amsterdam states that applications for the September 2027 intake open on **1 November 2026**.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate excellent academic performance, with VU Amsterdam indicating a GPA equivalent to approximately **8 on the Dutch grading scale** for eligibility.

Some VUFP recipients may also be considered for the NL Scholarship, which provides **€5,000 toward living costs for the first year**.

The recommended application deadline for students who want to be considered for VU scholarships is **1 December 2026**, because admission decisions can take several weeks. The final scholarship deadline is generally 1 February, depending on the scholarship.

### 4. NL Scholarship

The **NL Scholarship** is a national scholarship supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together with participating Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences.

It is specifically intended for international students from outside the European Economic Area.

However, applicants should not confuse it with a fully funded €40,000 award.

The official Study in NL website states that the NL Scholarship provides **€5,000 during the first year** and is **not a full-tuition scholarship**.

For 2026–2027, participating institutions include universities such as Maastricht University, Radboud University, the University of Groningen, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research and Eindhoven University of Technology, among others.

The exact eligibility requirements and deadlines vary by institution.

## Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands: How Much Does Studying There Cost?

Understanding the real cost of studying in the Netherlands is essential before applying.

International tuition fees are generally much higher than the statutory fee paid by many EU/EEA students.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, Study in NL reports that non-EU/EEA students typically pay approximately:

* **€9,000–€20,000 per year** for bachelor’s programmes.
* **€12,000–€30,000 per year** for master’s programmes.

The actual amount depends on the institution and programme.

Living expenses are another major consideration.

Study in NL estimates that students spend approximately **€1,000–€1,500 per month** on average. Accommodation alone can range from around **€450 to €1,000 per month**, depending on the city and housing arrangement.

This explains why a scholarship that covers tuition plus living expenses can be worth considerably more than a scholarship that only pays tuition.

## Netherlands Student Visa: Do You Still Need Proof of Funds?

A scholarship can make the financial side of studying abroad much easier, but students should still understand the Netherlands immigration requirements.

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) publishes financial requirements for international students.

For 2026, the required amount for higher professional education or university students is **€1,130.77 per month**.

The amount is intended to demonstrate that the student has sufficient funds for living expenses.

Students receiving a scholarship should therefore carefully check how their university handles the residence-permit process and financial documentation.

Do not assume that receiving a scholarship automatically means you can ignore immigration requirements.

## How to Apply for Netherlands Scholarships

The application process varies by university, but the following method works for most international applicants.

### Step 1: Find an eligible programme

Start with the official **Study in NL Studyfinder**.

The database provides an extensive list of English-taught programmes offered by Dutch institutions, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Look for a programme that matches:

* Your previous degree
* Your academic qualifications
* Your career goals
* Your English-language ability
* Your preferred scholarship

Do not choose a university simply because its scholarship is attractive.

The degree itself should make sense for your career.

### Step 2: Check the scholarship requirements

Read the scholarship page carefully.

Check:

* Nationality requirements
* Degree requirements
* GPA requirements
* Age restrictions
* English-language requirements
* Programme restrictions
* Application deadlines
* Required documents

Scholarships often have separate deadlines from the university admission application.

### Step 3: Prepare your documents

Most competitive scholarship applications require some combination of:

* International passport
* Academic certificates
* Academic transcripts
* Curriculum vitae
* Motivation letter
* Recommendation letters
* Proof of English proficiency
* Programme-specific documents
* Scholarship motivation statement
* Research proposal, where applicable

Make sure names and dates are consistent across your documents.

### Step 4: Apply for university admission

For many Dutch institutions, international students begin their application through **Studielink**, the official registration and application portal used by Dutch higher-education institutions.

Study in NL recommends checking the university’s own website first because some institutions or programmes may have different procedures.

### Step 5: Submit the scholarship application

Some scholarships are automatically considered once you apply for admission.

Others require a completely separate application.

For example, Maastricht University’s NL-High Potential Scholarship requires students to first apply for an eligible master’s programme and obtain a student number before completing the scholarship application.

Never assume that admission automatically equals scholarship consideration.

## How to Make Your Scholarship Application More Competitive

Getting a scholarship is not simply about having good grades.

For highly competitive awards, hundreds or thousands of applicants may have strong academic records.

Your application therefore needs to demonstrate **why you are an exceptional candidate and why the programme matters to your future plans**.

### Write a strong motivation statement

Avoid generic statements such as:

> “I have always wanted to study in Europe because Europe has good universities.”

Instead, connect your:

**Past → Programme → Future**

Explain:

1. What you have accomplished.
2. What academic problem or professional challenge interests you.
3. Why the specific master’s programme is the right fit.
4. What you intend to do with the knowledge.
5. How your work could benefit your community, country or industry.

### Demonstrate measurable impact

If you have professional or volunteer experience, quantify it.

For example:

Instead of:

> “I helped students learn technology.”

Write:

> “I developed digital training sessions that introduced more than 200 undergraduate students to basic data-analysis tools.”

Specific evidence is more convincing than vague claims.

### Research the university

Your motivation letter should show that you understand the programme.

Mention relevant:

* Courses
* Research groups
* Professors
* Laboratories
* Industry partnerships
* Academic projects

Do not copy text from the university website. Demonstrate that you actually researched the programme.

## Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands: Common Mistakes to Avoid

### Mistake 1: Believing every €40,000 scholarship headline

There is no general Netherlands scholarship that guarantees every international student €40,000.

The €40,000 figure is best understood as a rounded description of certain high-value funding packages.

The Maastricht University scholarship, for example, currently lists **€38,750 in living expenses over 25 months** for eligible two-year master’s students, plus additional covered costs.

### Mistake 2: Applying only to one scholarship

Scholarships are competitive.

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship states that only about **2% of applicants receive the award**.

Apply strategically to multiple programmes where you genuinely meet the requirements.

### Mistake 3: Waiting until the deadline

Scholarship deadlines can come before general university admission deadlines.

For example, Maastricht University’s 2027–2028 scholarship requires the complete master’s application by **10 December 2026**, even though the scholarship application deadline is 1 February 2027.

### Mistake 4: Ignoring housing

Winning a scholarship does not automatically solve the housing problem.

The Netherlands has significant demand for student accommodation, and Study in NL advises students to take housing into account when preparing their financial plan.

Start researching accommodation immediately after receiving admission or scholarship information.

### Mistake 5: Paying agents for a guaranteed scholarship

Be cautious of anyone promising:

* Guaranteed admission
* Guaranteed scholarship
* Guaranteed visa
* Guaranteed €40,000 payment

Official universities publish their own scholarship criteria and application procedures.

You should be able to verify a scholarship directly through the university or official Dutch/EU education websites.

## Quick Application Guide: How to Apply

If you want to pursue the **Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands** opportunity, use this process:

**1. Find an eligible master’s programme:** Search the official Study in NL Studyfinder.

**2. Check Maastricht University:** Review the NL-High Potential Scholarship and participating programmes.

**3. Apply for the master’s programme:** Complete the required university admission process and Studielink registration where applicable.

**4. Obtain your student number:** Maastricht University requires this before the scholarship application can be completed.

**5. Prepare your scholarship documents:** Focus on your academic record, CV, motivation and evidence of impact.

**6. Submit before the deadlines:** For the 2027–2028 Maastricht scholarship, the programme application must be complete by **10 December 2026**, while the scholarship application deadline is **1 February 2027**.

**7. Apply for alternatives:** Consider Erasmus Mundus, University of Twente, VU Amsterdam and other university-specific scholarships.

## Official Application Resources

For the safest application route, use official sources rather than third-party scholarship agents.

* **Study in NL Studyfinder:** Search for English-taught Dutch programmes and scholarship-eligible courses.
* **Studielink:** The main registration platform used by many Dutch higher-education institutions.
* **Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship:** The strongest match to the €40,000 headline.
* **Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters:** Full scholarship opportunities across participating European universities.
* **University of Twente Scholarship:** Up to €22,000 for one year for eligible master’s applicants.
* **VU Fellowship Programme:** Merit-based funding for eligible non-EU/EEA master’s applicants.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can international students really get €40,000 to study in the Netherlands?

Yes, but the claim requires clarification. There is no universal €40,000 Netherlands scholarship for every international student. However, certain scholarships provide funding packages approaching or exceeding €40,000 in total value when living expenses, tuition and other benefits are combined.

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a particularly strong example, with **€38,750 in living expenses for eligible two-year master’s students**, plus tuition and other covered costs.

### Is the Maastricht scholarship fully funded?

For eligible recipients, it is described by Maastricht University as a full scholarship. It includes tuition fees, living expenses, health and liability insurance, visa costs and other specified expenses.

### Can Nigerian students apply?

Yes. Nigerian applicants are generally treated as non-EU/EEA international applicants. However, applicants must still meet the specific academic, programme, nationality, immigration and scholarship requirements of the university.

### Do I need IELTS?

It depends on the university and programme. English-language master’s programmes generally have English proficiency requirements, but accepted tests, minimum scores and exemptions vary.

Applicants should always check the exact requirements for their selected programme.

### Can I apply without a master’s degree?

Yes, if you are applying for a master’s programme and have the required bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. Erasmus Mundus, for example, states that applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of their bachelor’s degree, provided they graduate before the programme begins.

### Is the NL Scholarship worth applying for?

Yes, particularly if you need partial financial assistance. However, it should not be confused with a fully funded scholarship.

The official NL Scholarship provides **€5,000 for the first year** and does not cover the entire tuition cost.

### When should I start applying?

Start several months before the deadline.

For competitive scholarships beginning in September 2027, applicants should ideally begin researching programmes in 2026, because admission, scholarship and visa processes can involve separate deadlines.

## Final Thoughts: Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands

The opportunity behind the headline **“Get Paid €40,000 to Study in the Netherlands”** is real in the sense that some scholarship packages can provide financial support worth around €40,000 or more when living expenses, tuition and other benefits are combined. However, students should not interpret the headline as a promise of a €40,000 cash payment from the Dutch government.

The **Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship** is currently one of the strongest examples. For eligible students entering qualifying two-year master’s programmes in 2027–2028, it lists **€38,750 in living expenses over 25 months**, alongside tuition, visa and insurance coverage.

Other opportunities, including **Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, the University of Twente Scholarship, the VU Fellowship Programme and the NL Scholarship**, provide additional routes for international students to reduce or eliminate the cost of studying in Europe.

The key is to start early, select a programme that matches your academic background, prepare a convincing application and use official university websites rather than relying on unverified agents.

**If you are planning to study in the Netherlands, start by searching for an eligible programme, checking its scholarship requirements and preparing your documents now. The earlier you begin, the more funding opportunities you can realistically target.**

### How to Apply — Quick Steps

1. **Find your programme:** Use the official Study in NL Studyfinder.
2. **Apply for admission:** Follow the university’s instructions and register through Studielink where required.
3. **Apply for the scholarship:** Complete the separate scholarship application if required.
4. **Submit before the deadline:** For Maastricht’s 2027–2028 NL-High Potential Scholarship, the complete master’s application must be submitted by **10 December 2026**, while the scholarship deadline is **1 February 2027**.
5. **Use official sources only:** Never pay anyone who claims they can guarantee a scholarship or visa.

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