Full scholarship for Rotterdam students
Are you interested in studying at EUC, but not sure if you can afford it? If you live or go to school in Rotterdam, then you might qualify for The Rotterdam Talent Scholarship. This scholarship lets talented and ambitious students from Rotterdam obtain a degree from EUC without worrying about finances.
The ROTAS scholarship is set up to fully cover the tuition fee, housing costs (approximately €835 per month) and expenses for books, study materials, and membership of EUCSA, the EUC's student association.
The ROTAS grant meant there was one less thing to worry about. You are not any different from the rest of the students, you only receive financial support in order to study. You are in contact with the ROTAS team from the beginning, which helps with many other things. You also meet other ROTAS grantees in advance and don’t feel alone the first day of university.
You may qualify for ROTAS funding if:
- You currently live within the municipality of Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland, Hoogvliet & Rozenburg
OR
You are completing (or have completed) your secondary education within the municipality of Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland, Hoogvliet & Rozenburg) - You have applied for and been accepted to the bachelor's programme Liberal Arts & Sciences at Erasmus University College for the coming academic year
- You don't have the financial means to pay for your study at EUC
- You are able to provide ROTAS with specific information about your financial situation
You can apply for the ROTAS Scholarship from the moment they have been accepted to EUC. We advise you to do so within two weeks after acceptance. The deadline for the 2026-2027 academic year was 14 June 2026.
You can apply for the Erasmus University College - Rotterdam Talent Scholarship by taking the following steps:
- Complete your application for Erasmus University College by following the regular procedure, honoring the application deadline.
- Once you are accepted, complete the ROTAS application form (which you can download below) as soon as being accepted by EUC and send the form to info@rotterdamtalentscholarship.nl. Do this within two weeks of being accepted, and no later than 14 June 2026.
- Students who are considered eligible for the scholarship will be invited for an interview at the Stichting ter Ondersteuning van Rotterdamse Talenten (STORT).
- Within a week after the interview you will be informed about the scholarship award decisions.
ROTAS application form
If you receive The Rotterdam Talent Scholarship, you will need to adhere to these guidelines.
- You must make optimal use of the financial support available from the Dutch state (supplementary grant, or ‘aanvullende beurs’) to be considered for this scholarship.
- You must promptly update the Committee about significant financial changes. Failure to do so may affect the scholarship value or allocation to other students in need.
- You agree to support EUC's Marketing & Recruitment throughout the academic year.
ROTAS makes every effort to implement its programme with integrity. If, despite this, you have experienced an undesirable situation, have a question, or would like to comment on the processes within ROTAS, we ask you to contact the board member appointed as confidential advisor:
- Hidde Verkade (chairman of the board at STORT, Programme Manager Stichting De Verre Bergen): hverkade@sdvb.com
| Expense type | Cost for 2026-2027 | Amount for ROTAS scholarship students |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee |
| € 0 Tuition fees are covered by the scholarship |
| Housing | +/- € 835 per month** | € 0**** |
| Insurance | € 660 (based on € 55 monthly fees) | € 660 (based on € 55 monthly fees) |
| Daily expenses | +/- € 5.400 (food, drinks, clothes, going out, public transport, etc. - based on an estimate of € 450 per month) | +/- € 5.400 |
| Study materials |
| € 0***** |
| EUCSA membership fee | € 50,29 | € 0 |
**You might be eligible for rent benefit (huurtoeslag) from the Dutch government. This would effectively reduce annual costs by approximately € 2.200. For more information visit www.belastingdienst.nl (switch to English at the bottom of the page and search for 'rent benefit' and select the first available option). Additionally, take into account monthly municipal taxes that have to be paid by every Rotterdam citizen. They amount to approximately € 45,-.
***Prices are quoted for purchasing new books. Second-hand books are usually cheaper. Note: the stated amounts should be considered averages and may vary depending on the courses you take.
****First-year housing at LUCIA is covered by the ROTAS scholarship. For the second- and third-year students a monthly compensation of approximately € 800,- is provided for their housing costs.
*****Students get a maximum compensation of € 1.000,- for buying a laptop at the beginning of the studies, and € 200 yearly for buying books and other study-related materials.
Please note: These tuition fees can be subject to change. The numbers you see in the table are an indication. Prior to the start of the academic year, tuition fees may be modified by the Dutch government. Erasmus University Rotterdam reserves the right to make changes affecting policies, fees, curricula, or any other matter announced in this publication without further notice.
For more information about study costs visit "Wat kost studeren?" (in Dutch).
Frequently asked questions about ROTAS
The Rotterdam Talent Scholarship (ROTAS) is a full scholarship programme for talented and ambitious students from Rotterdam who have been admitted to Erasmus University College (EUC) but face financial barriers to studying there.
ROTAS covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Housing costs during your studies
- Study materials and books
- A laptop allowance (if needed)
- EUCSA membership fees
The aim is to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent talented students from studying at EUC.
You may be eligible if:
- You live in Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland, Hoogvliet, or Rozenburg, or completed secondary school there
- You have been admitted to the Liberal Arts & Sciences programme at EUC
- You meet EUC's admission requirements
- You can demonstrate that you do not have sufficient financial means to study at EUC
No. ROTAS is open to both Dutch and international students, provided you meet the Rotterdam connection requirement and the other eligibility criteria.
When you apply, we ask you to provide information and documentation about your financial situation. This information is treated confidentially and is used solely to determine eligibility and scholarship support.
- Apply to Erasmus University College through the regular admissions process
- Once admitted, submit the ROTAS application form
- Eligible applicants are invited for an interview
- Scholarship decisions are communicated shortly after the interview
The interview is an opportunity for the selection committee to learn more about you, your motivation to study at EUC, your ambitions, and your financial circumstances. It is also a chance for you to ask questions about the scholarship.
ROTAS looks for students who demonstrate academic potential, motivation, ambition, resilience, and a willingness to contribute to the EUC and Rotterdam communities.
No. ROTAS students are full EUC students like everyone else. The scholarship simply provides financial support so that students can fully focus on their studies and personal development.
Yes, ROTAS recipients are expected to:
- Make good use of available government financial support where applicable
- Inform ROTAS of significant changes in their financial situation
- Support EUC outreach, recruitment, or promotional activities when requested
- Remain actively engaged in their studies.
In some cases, yes. Significant changes in your financial circumstances may affect the level of support provided.
Yes! Many ROTAS students become part of a supportive community of fellow scholars, alumni, mentors, and board members. The programme aims to support both academic success and personal development.
The number of scholarships varies from year to year and depends on available funding and the applicant pool.
Yes. ROTAS recognises that financial situations are complex. If you believe that studying at EUC would place a significant financial burden on you or your family, you are encouraged to apply.
You are welcome to submit an application or contact the ROTAS team for guidance. The committee will assess each case individually.
ROTAS was established to ensure that talented students from Rotterdam can access the opportunities offered by Erasmus University College regardless of their financial background. The scholarship aims to promote equal opportunity, social mobility, and academic excellence.