Support organisations on the islands

There are several organisations on the islands that can help you

DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)

DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) is the office that’s responsible for financial assistance (“student finance”) in the Netherlands. Applying for student financial assistance in the Netherlands works a little differently for you as a student from Aruba, Curaçao, St. Martin or the Caribbean Netherlands than it does for Dutch students. Therefore they have a website especially for students from the Caribbean region.

Studielink

To enrol in a course programme in the Netherlands, you submit an enrolment application via Studielink.nl. You normally need a DigiD to sign up for Studielink, but you can only apply for one if you live in the Netherlands. If you don’t live in the Netherlands yet and you want to apply in advance, you can sign up for Studielink as an international student.

Studielink has a number of easy step-by-step plans you can use to guide you through enrolling in a course programme.

Strategic Education Alliance (SEA)

Strategic Education Alliance is a Kingdom-wide cooperation programme between government and education agencies in the four countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It aims to guide prospective students on their journey into higher education in the best possible way. SEA’s mission is to connect and clarify, benefiting governments, institutes of education, prospective students, students and parents.

Stichting Studiefinanciering Curaçao

Stichting Studiefinanciering Curaçao organises financial assistance for Curaçao students who are pursuing an mbo, hbo or wo course programme in the Netherlands. They are headquartered on Curaçao, with a local office in the Netherlands. SSC also supports Curaçaoans studying in the Netherlands and can help them find accommodation.

Het Arubahuis

Het Arubahuis offers information and advice to students from Aruba who go to study in the Netherlands. Students can participate in the yearly reception free of charge. Arubahuis is responsible for the reception and guidance of Aruban students in the Netherlands who have an Arubalening (Aruba Loan). Arubahuis has a mentor in every region in the Netherlands who supports and guides Arubalening-receiving first-years at universities and universities of applied sciences. In addition to reception and guidance, Arubahuis also provides information to prospective students from Aruba. Arubahuis works closely with Studiefaciliteiten van Directie Onderwijs (Study Facilities at the Department of Education) in Aruba. This department provides the Arubalening for pursuing further education in Aruba, in the region or in the Netherlands.

Division Study Financing Sint Maarten

Division Study Financing Sint Maarten is an information centre for students from Sint Maarten. They have a webpage full of information about studying in the Netherlands: Pursuing your studies in the Netherlands. Here, you’ll find information in English about preparation, applying and enrolling, the studiekeuzecheck (matching), student finance and accommodation.