Concerns about Erasmus scholarship

The National Student Union (in Dutch called LSVb) is concerned about the survival of the Erasmus scholarship. Because the European budget is exceeded, the Erasmus grant is in danger as of January 2013. “The Netherlands must take a stand in Brussels for the survival of this grant that allows students to study or do an internship abroad”, says LSVb-chairman Kai Heijneman.

With the Erasmus scholarship, students get a contribution from the European Union of 220 Euros per month to cover the costs that entail studying abroad. The allowance is in danger now that the EU budget is facing a shortage. Today, the European Commission comes with a proposal to solve the budget problem. The LSVb calls on Dutch and European politicians to take a stand for the preservation of this support which motivates students to experience studying abroad.

The Erasmus program, which gives student the opportunity to study abroad for three to nine months, is used more and more. For example, between the academic years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, there was an increase of almost 11 percent of Dutch students who used the Erasmus scholarship to cross the national borders. Each year, 8500 Dutch students use the Erasmus scholarship.