Maastricht University - Stichting De Ridder Scholarship

Stichting De Ridder Scholarship

You get your full tuition fee (collegegeld) paid at Maastricht University for the standard length of your bachelor's degree, which is 36 months. For the 2026-2027 year the covered tuition is 2,694 EUR per year (the lower Dutch rate, which can change each year). The university's Scholarship Office pays it directly. The award comes from Stichting De Ridder, a Maastricht foundation set up by the family behind the former Ridder brewery, together with the University Fund Limburg. It helps talented young people from the region go to university even without the money for it. Living costs are not covered.

Who can apply

• Degree: You are starting a bachelor's programme at Maastricht University.
• Field of study: Any bachelor's programme at the university is fine, across all six faculties, from health and sciences to law, business, psychology and the arts.
• Nationality: You are a Dutch national. The scholarship is only for Dutch students, so all details are in Dutch.
• Where you live: You live in Maastricht, Eijsden-Margraten, Gulpen-Wittem, Valkenburg aan de Geul, Meerssen or Vaals.
• Financial need: You cannot pay for your studies yourself, and you can prove it with documents.
• One shot: You may send only one application, for one scholarship.

How to apply

First register for a bachelor's programme through Studielink. Then submit the scholarship application with a CV, a motivation letter, a reference from your school dean and a statement of financial need (in Dutch). Applications for the next cycle open on 1 February 2027. Your faculty ranks the applications first, then Stichting De Ridder makes the final choice.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut very narrowly: you must be Dutch, live in one of six municipalities around Maastricht, study at Maastricht University and show real financial need. That makes the eligible group small. If you clearly meet those conditions and can document the need, your prospects are good. A convincing motivation letter and a strong reference make the difference, since both faculty and foundation weigh the whole application.