The Netherland-America Foundation - Maarten van Hengel Loan Program

Maarten van Hengel Study Loan (NAF)

You are borrowing between 10,000 and 20,000 USD (about 9,300 to 18,600 EUR) for one academic year. You will not pay any interest during the first four years after you graduate. Should there still be an outstanding balance after these four years, an annual interest rate of 7% will apply to this amount. Repayment is made in monthly instalments once you have completed your studies. The funding comes from the Netherlands-America Foundation (NAF), a charitable organisation that builds bridges between the Netherlands and the United States and awards a limited number of these loans each year.

Who can apply

• Where you go: If you are Dutch, you are studying or conducting research in the United States. If you are American, you are studying or conducting research in the Netherlands. You must be physically present in that country and must not be on another campus.
• Level: Only postgraduate-level study or research. Bachelor’s degrees, summer research projects, pre-doctoral research and language courses are not permitted.
• Admission: You have already been offered a place at a recognised higher education institution in your destination country.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Grades: You have very good marks. This fund is aimed at high-achieving pupils.
• Credit check: If you are applying from the USA, your credit history will be checked.
• Guarantors: For loans of up to 10,000 USD, you must name one person to act as your guarantor; for loans of up to 20,000 USD, you must name two people.

How to apply

You apply once via the online portal, in English, for the general NAF student loan programme. You do not select this specific fund yourself. The Foundation will allocate your loan to this fund, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and funds are available. The application window opens every year in January and closes on 1 April. Late applications will not be considered. A committee will make a decision in May and notify you shortly afterwards.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a highly selective loan scheme with clear eligibility criteria: a Master’s degree programme as part of the Dutch-American exchange programme, a confirmed place at university and very good grades. As a result, the pool of applicants remains small. As only a handful of loans are awarded each year from all four NAF funds, competition is fierce. If you clearly meet the criteria, apply early and can arrange for your guarantors, your prospects are good.