Children's educational achievements should not depend on their parents' financial circumstances. That is why the StudieBoost foundation provides free (homework) support to pupils in Rotterdam. The initiative, set up by medical students, has won the Student Societal Impact Award 2026.
The StudieBoost foundation was set up by a group of students from Rotterdam who realised that being able to study effectively is not a given for everyone. Many young people do not have parents who can help them with homework, exams or choosing the right study programme. StudieBoost offers these pupils structure, guidance and a safe place to study.
Free homework support evenings in Feijenoord
The foundation organises homework evenings for secondary school pupils at the HefHouse in the Feijenoord neighbourhood. The support is free of charge; there is space for around twenty pupils per evening.
StudieBoost focuses specifically on young people who are disadvantaged by inequality of opportunity in education. These include children whose parents do not speak Dutch well or are less familiar with the education system. The initial results are clear: pupils keep coming back, achieve better marks and bring friends and classmates along with them.
The partnership with HefHouse connects StudieBoost directly to the neighbourhood. For some time now, this location has been working to build bridges between educational institutions (such as Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Albeda) and social initiatives in the area. StudieBoost's homework evenings are now an integral part of this.
From the jury report:
'The jury is impressed that medical students still find time to set up a charity alongside their busy studies. There is also great appreciation for the neighbourhood chosen by the students, Rotterdam-Zuid. The project can serve as a role model.'
Mentor programme for students
In addition to the homework evenings, StudieBoost runs a mentoring programme for students from non-traditional or disadvantaged backgrounds who have already taken a step towards higher education. In this programme, students receive individual support from trained mentors, leading to measurable improvements in academic performance and personal wellbeing.
Furthermore, pupils are also provided with exercise books, pens and pencils if they cannot afford them. In this way, the foundation aims not only to invest time and knowledge, but also to remove practical barriers.
Rector Magnificus Jantine Schuit is delighted that the Student Societal Impact Award has been awarded to StudieBoost. She had already become acquainted with the foundation before the nominations were announced. Schuit was impressed by the fact that they 'not only help with learning and homework, but also actively make study materials available to those who cannot afford them'.
About the Student Societal Impact Award
The Student Societal Impact Award is presented annually to a student, or a group of students, who are undertaking or have undertaken an initiative and have demonstrated leadership in creating a positive societal impact. The award was established to support our students in becoming game-changers and embracing social responsibility. The Student Societal Impact Award is made possible in part by the Erasmus Trustfonds.
Last year, Master’s student Ralph Ivar Berkman won the award with his foundation "L’Oiseau Bleu", through which he aims to bridge the gap between special needs education and further education.
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- Website Studieboost foundation
