Education · Aruba to the Netherlands
Plan the study move, before the move.
Entry, money and everyday life each have their own decision maker and their own deadlines. Put them on one plan.
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Choose the programme and check entry
Entry is decided by the programme you apply to. Nuffic's comparisons are a starting point: for example an Aruban HAVO diploma is compared with HAVO and an EPI level 4 diploma with MBO level 4, for checking access to Dutch higher education. Compare HBO and WO routes before you decide.
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Build a funding plan from two loans and a grant
DUO student finance for Caribbean residents has a basic grant, a supplementary grant (based on parents' income), a loan, a travel product and, for HBO and university, a tuition-fee loan. For MBO 3 and 4, HBO and university the grants become a gift only if you graduate within 10 years; borrowed money is always repaid with interest. The Arubalening is a student loan from Land Aruba, not a grant.
DUO read 17 October 2026 (opens another site) Arubahuis / DEA read 17 October 2026 (opens another site)
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Enrol and register
You register yourself with a university or university of applied sciences through Studielink. If you will stay in the Netherlands for more than four months you register with the municipality where you live. The Arubahuis page has a step-by-step guide for Caribbean applicants.
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Find people to settle with
Arubahuis gives information and advice, an orientation programme each August, and one mentor for each region. Students with an Arubalening join the orientation automatically; students without one must register by 1 July. SEA lists Caribbean student communities at Dutch institutions. Neither is an internship broker.
Arubahuis / DEA read 17 October 2026 (opens another site) SEA read 17 October 2026 (opens another site)
Who decides what
Nuffic (opens another site)
Publishes how Aruban diplomas are generally compared with Dutch ones. A comparison is not an admission decision.
Read 17 October 2026
DUO (opens another site)
Dutch student finance. Part is a loan with interest; part can become a gift if you graduate in time.
Read 17 October 2026
Arubahuis / DEA (opens another site)
Information, orientation and regional mentors for Aruban students in the Netherlands. It also describes the Arubalening, a loan.
Read 17 October 2026
SEA (opens another site)
A directory of Caribbean student communities at Dutch institutions. No internship placement is mentioned.
Read 17 October 2026
Sources and how they were read
- Nuffic · Aruban diplomas compared with Dutch ones Read in full, with the primary, vocational and higher education pages. Compared 17 October 2026. Official source · Verified · next check due 15 April 2027 General comparisons, not decisions about one person.
- DUO · Student finance for Caribbean residents Read in full (the application steps themselves are on a separate DUO page). Compared 17 October 2026. Official source · Verified · next check due 15 January 2027 Interest rates and rules are set yearly.
- DEA · Studia na Hulanda (Arubahuis, Arubalening) Read in full. Amounts and dates on it change; check the page. Compared 17 October 2026. Official source · Verified · next check due 15 January 2027 Amounts and dates on the page change.
- Strategic Education Alliance · Student communities Read in full. Compared 17 October 2026. Institution source · Verified · next check due 15 April 2027
Planning guidance only. The authority or institution named on each step decides; requirements, fees and deadlines change.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice.