Step-by-step route · The US and elsewhere
Different system, same four questions.
The Netherlands is one destination among many. Start from the credential you will receive and ask: who awards it, is the institution recognised, what is it compared with, and who decides your entry?
Sources read 17 October 2026. Rules and windows change: check the authority named.
In short
- Quality belongs to the institution and programme.
- EducationUSA in Oranjestad advises for free.
- Aruba Jobs has no country guides beyond the Netherlands yet.
Ask first
These bodies decide. Check with them before you rely on any step.
Step by step
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Ask who awards the credential and whether they are recognised
Quality sits with the institution and the programme, not with the country. For US schools Nuffic says to check regional or state accreditation, and that students from non-regionally accredited institutions are often not eligible for exemptions. For other countries, ask the education authority or accreditor in that country.
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Get free advice in Aruba for the United States
The EducationUSA Advising Center at the Ministry of Education in Oranjestad gives free information sessions, one-to-one advising and application support. It also shares information on scholarships, and mentions agreements between the Government of Aruba and some US institutions.
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Know how a US credential is usually read in the Netherlands
Nuffic: a US bachelor's degree is generally compared with an HBO or WO bachelor's degree; a terminal associate's degree with MBO level 4; a high school diploma usually with HAVO, but possibly anywhere from VMBO-T to VWO. Nuffic describes these as comparisons for people who completed the full preparatory pathway within the US system.
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Check money separately
Ask the Department of Education which study agreements and loan conditions apply to the country you are considering. Aruba Jobs has not published a funding guide for countries other than the Netherlands.
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Canada, Latin America and the rest of the Caribbean
Aruba Jobs has not written country guides for these yet. The four questions above still apply.
Who does what
Who can help
EducationUSA Aruba
Free advising on studying in the United States, based at the Ministry of Education in Oranjestad.
Nuffic
Publishes how US diplomas are generally compared with Dutch ones, and when an individual credential evaluation is needed.
About this source Official site (opens the official website in a new tab)
Nuffic
Explains how US schools and colleges, and American schools abroad, are accredited, and why it matters.
About this source Official site (opens the official website in a new tab)
Sources and checks 3 sources · checked 16 October 2026 · next review 14 April 2027
- 1 Nuffic · US institutions and accreditation (opens another site) Official · Verified · Read in full.
- 2 EducationUSA Advising Center · Ministry of Education Aruba (opens another site) Official · Verified · Read in full.
- 3 Nuffic · US diplomas compared with Dutch ones (opens another site) Official · Verified · Read in full.
Planning guidance only. The authority named on each point decides; rules, fees and deadlines change.
Where to go next
- Career Guide Coming home to Aruba after your studies: the 35% Arubalening rule and a job plan Studying abroad with an Arubalening? Come back and work in Aruba within three years of graduating and 35% of your study debt can be forgiven. The conditions, and how to line up work before you land.
- Step-by-step route Describe your qualification as it was awarded. Education · For candidates
- Step-by-step route Plan the study move, before the move. Education · Aruba to the Netherlands