Tesselschade-Arbeid Adelt - Tesselschade Studiefonds

Tesselschade Studiefonds

You receive a grant of up to 2,694 EUR per study year to help pay for your education in the Netherlands. It is a gift, not a loan, so you do not pay it back. The exact amount is worked out with you personally after a meeting about what you need. Beyond the money, Tesselschade stays in touch throughout your studies and supports you until you receive your diploma. The fund is run by Tesselschade-Arbeid Adelt, the oldest women's association in the Netherlands, founded in 1871 to help women become financially independent.

Who can apply

• Women only: The fund supports women.
• Where you study: You follow an MBO (vocational training), HBO (university of applied sciences) or university programme in the Netherlands.
• Recognised school: Your school is state-recognised (it has a CREBO or CROHO code), not a private institute.
• First degree: This is normally for a first study, not a second study or second master's. Exceptions are sometimes made if circumstances beyond your control play a role.
• Nationality or residence: You are Dutch or hold a valid residence permit, and you come from Suriname or the Antilles.
• Financial need: You cannot pay for your studies yourself and your parents cannot help enough. You must still lack money even after using the basic grant and all DUO options (Dutch state student finance), including the maximum loan and tuition-fee credit.
• Timing: You apply for the current or coming study year. There is no funding for past years.
• Grades: Good results are welcome but do not affect the decision.
• Not covered: Preparatory courses, pre-masters, internships, study or research abroad, PhD research, post-master studies, and coming to the Netherlands from abroad to study.

How to apply

Create an account in the online portal and submit your application there by mid-April (around 15 April) for the coming study year. After your application arrives, you have a personal meeting. The fund then decides on the type and amount of support. You reapply for each new study year.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is cut narrowly. You must be a woman studying in the Netherlands, with roots in Suriname or the Antilles, and able to prove real financial need after exhausting state student finance. That keeps the eligible group small, and grades do not count, so a clear, well-documented case of need is what matters. If you fit these conditions and apply before the mid-April deadline, your prospects are good.