It is November, which means that the applications for the scholarships are open! A scholarship does not cover the full tuition fee, but it can help you to have a smooth start to your studies in the Netherlands, giving you more financial space. But how do you apply for a scholarship at Saxion?
NL Scholarship or Saxion Talent Scholarship
At Saxion, we currently offer two options for talented non-EU/EEA students who are coming to the Netherlands that pay the full institutional tuition fee: the NL Scholarship (NLS) and the Saxion Talent Scholarship (STS). Both recognise strong academic results and help you start your studies in the Netherlands with confidence. The NLS is partly financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and Dutch Research Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences. This scholarship is set at €5000 for the academic year 2026-2027. The Saxion Talent Scholarship is fully funded by Saxion and is set at €2500 for the academic year of 2026-2027. The requirements to be eligible for the NL Scholarship are stricter compared to the Saxion Talent Scholarship; you need a higher GPA score and IELTS score. Annefloor from our International Office explains: “It’s important to know that a limited number of scholarships are available. Even if you meet all the requirements, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll receive a scholarship. We rank all eligible students based on their GPA and English results.”
We see these scholarships as a way to recognise your effort and academic achievements
Applying for a scholarship
You can only apply for a scholarship once you’ve started your application at Saxion. After that, you can submit your scholarship form online. When the application period closes, the team checks every application, verifies the documents, and ranks eligible students. The highest-ranking students will receive a scholarship offer by email.
Tips from the International Office
The International Office has guided many students through the scholarship process, and their main advice is simple: take it step by step, and make sure you have all the right information before applying.
Here’s what you should keep in mind when preparing your scholarship application:
1. Choose your study programme first
Make sure you’re genuinely interested in the programme you’re applying for. You can only apply for a scholarship after you’ve applied for a study at Saxion.
2. Check your financial situation early
It’s important to make sure you can finance your studies even without a scholarship. Scholarships are limited and not guaranteed, so planning ahead is essential.
3. Read the requirements
You can find all the details on the Saxion scholarships page. This includes the specific admission criteria and scholarship conditions.
4. Check your English language certificate
If your previous education was in English, you might have an exemption for admission. However, to be eligible for the NL Scholarship, you must submit an official IELTS test result. Other English tests are not accepted for the NL Scholarship.
5. Prepare your documents carefully
Collect your GPA calculation, transcript of grades, and any required certificates before you start your scholarship application. Make sure to double-check your documents, because incomplete applications cannot be processed.
6. Apply for the scholarship after your study application is active
Once you’ve submitted your study application, you can apply for a scholarship through the online form. You can apply for a scholarship even if your study programme application is still in progress, but you'll need to be conditionally admitted to be considered for the scholarship.
7. Check all deadlines and start on time
Scholarship applications open and close on specific dates, so make sure you know when each step starts and ends. Some study programmes, such as Physiotherapy and Creative Media and Game Technologies, have longer admission procedures. Starting early gives you time to complete both your study application and scholarship applications. Applying earlier does not increase your chances, as all applications are reviewed after the closing deadline.
Learn more about financing your studies
Studying abroad takes preparation, but you don’t have to do it alone. Scholarships are just one of the ways Saxion helps international students build a strong beginning, both academically and financially. If you’d like to know more about the application process, requirements, and eligibility, visit the Saxion scholarships page.
Scholarships