Tilburg University board grant (Bestuursbeurs)

Tilburg University board grant (Bestuursbeurs)

You get a board grant equal to DUO's basic student grant for students living away from home (DUO is the Dutch student finance agency). The amount is set on 1 September of the year you serve on the board. This money is for students who lose study time because they sit on the board of a recognised student organisation at Tilburg University, from study and sports clubs to cultural, social and religious groups. The grant is paid as a gift, so you handle any income tax on it yourself. Each recognised organisation gets a set number of grants depending on its type and size. Full-time board members of large organisations, and elected members of the University Council, can also apply to be freed from the tuition fee under set conditions. After your term you can request a certificate that records what you did.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled as a student at Tilburg University.
• Your role: You are a board member of a student organisation, and your board work causes or is likely to delay your studies.
• Recognised organisation: Your organisation is officially recognised ("erkend"), not just registered. Only recognised organisations get grants.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply. International students are included and can use language vouchers for Dutch and English courses.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.

How to apply

Your organisation applies for the grant on your behalf. Requests go in before 1 January and/or 1 May of the board year. The Commissie Bestuursbeurzen (the committee that decides on board grants) makes the decision. Elected members of a co-determination body get an individual decision directly from the committee.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not an open contest you win on merit. Whether a grant is available depends on your student organisation being recognised and on how many grants it holds. If you already sit on the board of a recognised Tilburg organisation with grants to give, receiving one is routine rather than contested. The real hurdle comes earlier: the organisation must first clear a two-year registration and three-year recognition cycle.