Huygens Scholarship Programme FAQ
May 18, 2009
1. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 31 JANUARY 2009. CAN I SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AFTER THIS DATE?
No. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. You must submit your complete dossier to Nuffic no later than 31 January. Dossiers postmarked later than 31 January will not be accepted.
2. TOEFL OR IELTS TEST
a. English is not my native language but the language of instruction at my university was English, so my English is good. Do I still need to take a TOEFL test or an IELTS test?
No, not if the host institution in the Netherlands will provide you with a statement attesting that you have been granted unconditional admission to the Dutch programme or with a statement, confirming that your language skills are sufficient. Please attach their statement to your application.
b. I want to get the organization where I passed my TOEFL test to send my results to Nuffic. What is Nuffic's Institutional Code?
Nuffic doesn't have an Institutional Code. It is therefore advisable to have them send it directly to you.
c. Do I have to send a certified copy of the results of my TOEFL or IELTS test?
No, it is not necessary to send Nuffic a certified copy of the results of the TOEFL test; you just can send to Nuffic a copy of the results of the test.
3. I AM ALREADY STUDYING IN THE 2006-2007 ACADEMIC YEAR WITH A HSP HUYGENS SCHOLARSHIP, AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY SCHOLARSHIP. CAN I DO THIS?
No. But you can submit a completely new application. The procedure you have to follow is exactly the same as for all other candidates in the same application round. You must, of course, also meet all the HSP criteria.
4. I SPOKE TO A COURSE ADMINISTRATOR AT THE PLACE WHERE I WANT TO STUDY, AND ASKED THEM FOR A HUYGENS NOMINATION LETTER. BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN’T HELP BECAUSE THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE. WHAT DO I DO NOW?
You should refer the person in question to Nuffic's website. The whole procedure is explained for them in Dutch. You could also remind them that each institution has its own central HSP Huygens contact person (usually someone from the international office) who can tell them everything they need to know about the procedure and the HSP Huygens nomination letter (please also read FAQ nr. 5).
5. HOW DO I FIND OUT THE NAME OF THE HSP HUYGENS CONTACT PERSON AT THE DUTCH INSTITUTION?
Please click here to find the e-mail address of the HSP contact person at the Dutch institution.
6. I WANT TO STUDY IN THE NETHERLANDS, BUT WHERE CAN I FIND AN OVERVIEW OF DUTCH INSTITUTIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION?
Please click here to find an overview of Dutch institutions (see also FAQ nr. 5).
7. CAN I APPLY FOR A HSP SCHOLARSHIP FOR MORE THAN ONE PROGRAMME?
Yes, you can. But it will not increase your chances of getting a scholarship. You should first choose which study programme suits you best (e.g. is it what you really want, does it follow on from your previous study?). If you still decide to apply for a HSP scholarship for more than one programme, you must let the course directors know about this in your admission application. You will also have to submit a complete HSP application dossier for each programme that you apply for. Ultimately, you will have to choose which programme you want to follow.
8. TO QUALIFY FOR A HSP SCHOLARSHIP, I HAVE TO BE IN THE TOP 10% OF STUDENTS ON MY PROGRAMME.
HOW CAN I PROVE THIS?
When you ask your referees for a reference or a HSP Huygens nomination letter, ask them to state how you rank in terms of a percentage (top 10%, top 5% - the smaller the number, the better).
9. CROHO QUALITY CERTIFICATION
a. What is CROHO?
CROHO is the system used by the Dutch authorities to register study programmes in the Netherlands. A programme must be registered in CROHO, for example, before you can use a title awarded on succesfull completion of the programme.
b. Can I submit an HSP scholarship application for a programme if its CROHO registration has not been finalized by 1 February 2007?
Yes, but be aware that the scholarship will only be awarded if the programme is registered in CROHO no later than 1 September in the academic year to which your application relates.
c. Where can I find the CROHO code of the Dutch study programme?
Please contact the HSP contact person at the Dutch institution (see also FAQ nr. 5).
10. I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDY IN THE NETHERLANDS. CAN I STILL APPLY FOR A HSP SCHOLARSHIP?
Yes. Please bear in mind that you will eventually have to choose between the HSP scholarship and any other scholarship you are offered. You may not have a HSP Huygens scholarship in combination with another scholarship for your studies in the Netherland.
11. CAN I APPLY IF I HAVE GRADUATED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO AND I DO MEET ALL THE OTHER HSP REQUIREMENTS?
Yes, you can apply if you have graduated more than 2 years ago and fulfill all the other HSP requirements for eligibility. But please bear in mind that your curriculum vitae is less quality than that of the other candidates who have not graduated more than 2 years ago. Your application will be assessed with respect to all the criteria, it is therefore important that you compensate the fact that you graduated more than 2 years ago.