Utrechts Universiteitsfonds - Universiteit Utrecht - Noodfonds voor studenten in acute nood

What you get

You get a one-off payment of on average 500 EUR if you study at Universiteit Utrecht and suddenly run into financial trouble through no fault of your own. A student dean sets the exact amount based on your situation. The money covers urgent costs so you can keep studying and keep your accommodation: food and living costs, travel inside the Netherlands, study materials or medication. It comes from the Utrechts Universiteitsfonds and is funded entirely by donations from alumni, staff and students, not from the regular university budget.

Who can apply

• University: You study at Universiteit Utrecht.
• Financial need: You are in acute financial hardship you could not control, for example illness, war or the political situation in your home country, or a run of very bad luck.
• Other help first: Regular university support cannot solve your problem. The student dean (a university adviser for personal and study issues) checks this before turning to the emergency fund.
• Field and nationality: Open to all subjects and all nationalities. Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian and Iranian students have been supported during recent conflicts.

How to apply

You cannot apply to the fund directly. Contact a student dean through the UU student service and explain your situation. If regular support is not enough, the dean recommends you to the Utrechts Universiteitsfonds, which then grants the payment. There is no deadline, so reach out whenever the need arises.

How realistic are your chances?

This is emergency aid, not a competitive scholarship. It goes to students in genuine, unforeseen hardship, not to the strongest applicants. If a student dean sees a clear, evidenced case that regular support cannot cover, a payment is likely, though the fund is limited and cannot help everyone. The sooner you contact the student service when trouble hits, the better.