Sint Maarten: one island, two countries, and what that really means for your education

Thirty-seven square miles. Two countries. A hundred nationalities. One people.

If you grew up on Sint Maarten, you already know what it means to hold complexity with ease. You’ve crossed from the Dutch side to the French side for lunch. You’ve watched the sunset over two flags. You’ve grown up somewhere that doesn’t fit neatly into anyone’s category — and you’ve learned to carry that as a feature, not a flaw.

But when it comes to education, that complexity can create real confusion. Which school system do you belong to? Which scholarships can you apply for? Which government will fund your studies abroad?

Here’s a clear breakdown — because you deserve to know what you’re working with.

The Dutch side: Sint Maarten (SXM)

The Dutch side of the island is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. That means Sint Maarten citizens are Dutch nationals — which opens specific doors for education funding.

Study financing through DUO (the Dutch government’s student finance system) is available to eligible Sint Maarteners studying in the Netherlands or at approved institutions. The Department of Study Financing on the island also administers local study loans for students pursuing programs on the government’s priority list.

Students with strong academic records may have more flexibility in program selection — check current eligibility requirements as these change.

The French side: Saint-Martin

The French collectivity of Saint-Martin operates under French law, with access to French educational institutions and funding systems. Students here may be eligible for French bursaries and have pathways into French grandes écoles and universities.

The two sides have different administrative systems, which means the funding pathways diverge early. Knowing which side of the island you’re from — and which nationality you hold — is step one.

What both sides share

Regardless of which country you fall under, Sint Maarten students share common realities: limited local scholarship funding, the cost and complexity of studying abroad, and the experience of being one of the only people from your island in the room when you get there.

That’s why organizations like EmpowerU exist. Not to replace the government systems, but to supplement them — and to build the community infrastructure that the government doesn’t.

What EmpowerU funds

The EmpowerU Scholars Fund is open to Caribbean students — including Sint Maarteners on both sides — pursuing tertiary education in any field, anywhere in the world. We fund tuition, books, and academic fees. We don’t care where you study or what you study. We care that you go.

Applications opening this spring. Learn more at empoweru.online/funding.