Vreedefonds study loan

Vreedefonds study loan

You get a low-interest loan of up to 8,500 EUR to study, do an internship or carry out research abroad. It covers a stay of 3 months to 2 years. This is a loan, not a grant, so you pay it back, but the terms are gentle and part of it can be cancelled. You pay no interest for the first 72 months. You can even have the remaining balance waived: finish your stay successfully, repay at least 80 percent within 36 months, and hand in a short study report of one to two pages. Then you apply in writing to cancel the rest. The board sets the waived percentage each year. The Vreedefonds is a Dutch foundation that has helped students go abroad for over 80 years.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Dutch citizen.
• Where you study now: You study at a Dutch research university (WO) or university of applied sciences (HBO), or you graduated from one no more than 2 years ago.
• Your plan: You want to study, do an internship or research abroad. A PhD or doctoral track abroad does not count.
• Timing: You have not yet started your stay abroad when you apply.
• Duration: Your stay lasts at least 3 months and at most 2 years.
• Age: You are not yet 31 at the end of the year you apply.
• First loan: You have not received a loan from the Vreedefonds before.
• Field of study: Any field works, as long as it is not a PhD project.

How to apply

You apply online. You register an account and upload your documents, including a motivation letter in Dutch, a budget and at least one recommendation from a lecturer. Apply at least 3 months before your planned departure. You can only submit one application, and you cannot reapply after a rejection.

How realistic are your chances?

The group who can apply is fairly narrow: Dutch citizens under 31, studying at or recently graduated from a Dutch institution, heading abroad for the first time for a non-PhD stay. In recent years about two thirds of applications were approved, so a well-matched applicant with a clear motivation letter, good results and a solid budget has good prospects. A convincing first-time plan abroad counts most. If you have already spent a long time studying abroad, the board weighs that against you.