516 YEARS OF STUDYING FROM REVENUES OF ESTATES
Your study grant for a course in the Netherlands or abroad
SINT GEERTRUIDSLEEN FROM ABBEGA
Sint Geertruidsleen was originally a family fund that was established in 1508 by parish priest Goffa Attama. His object was to enable his relatives to study for priest. Much has changed over the years, but what still stands is that people can still study with financial support from the Sint Geertruidsleen Foundation.
Under Information on Application for a Scholarship are the conditions to be met to qualify for a scholarship. The funds for a scholarship are obtained from the proceeds of 113 hectare of farmland around Abbega.
Goffa Attama was a parish priest in Easterein, who had it recorded in his will that people in his native village of Abbega had to pray for the salvation of his soul. Therefore, he founded a leen that was to be used to pay the priest who performed this task.
People no longer pray for lord Goffa nowadays, but his will is still respected. Thanks to his last will, many students from the Netherlands and abroad receive study grants. Lord Goffa will never have thought that his fund would ever become an internationally known study grant. The Reformation, the French era, and increasing government intervention contributed to this. In addition, many family feuds over lord Goffa’s estate shaped the history of the funds at decisive moments, for the priest who was going to pray for Goffa’s soul had to be a relative.
In the course of time, the fund was used by diligent students as well as shrewd profiteers. Different branches of the family challenged or supported each other for receiving the proceeds from the fund. Since the end of the 19th century, applicants from outside the family have been qualified for an allowance. Women were still sidelined at the time. It was not until April 1940 that the first female student was accepted, but only after much toing and froing.
TESTIMONIALS
"His parents are of Frisian origin. He appeared to be a brilliant student, and in 1975 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Economy. Years later, he would describe in a biographical sketch which decisive role the fund had played in his life. “The Sint Geertruidsleen supported me until my 26th birthday. I will always be grateful for this support, which provided me financial, and consequently also intellectual independence."
"In 1940, the Board was of the opinion that a study allowance for her was money down the drain. How would she benefit from a study of law? She would probably get married, wouldn’t she? And thus become a housewife. Her grandmother and great-uncle protested, and they had their way. With financial support from Geertruidsleen, Tjitske became a lawyer. Many board members racked their brains over the question of how the fund regulations could be adjusted again and again to meet the demands of time. "
"Another well-known person who studied with support from the fund is Lolle Nauta, for years the ideologist of the Dutch Labour Party. Nauta was also politically active and frequently involved himself in the political debate. He directed this party’s political programme and contributed to political and cultural discussions. "
SINT GEERTRUIDSLEEN FOUNDATION EXPLAINED
Abbega
Abbega is small rural village in Southwest Friesland. Abbega was Goffa Attema’s native village. On the right are several photos from the surrounding area of Abbega.The Sint Geertruiden fund (or loan), which gave hundreds of students the opportunity to study, has its origin in this village.
Goffa Attama
Goffa Attama was a parish priest in Easterein, who had it recorded in his will that people in his native village of Abbega had to pray for the salvation of his soul. Therefore, he founded a fund that was to be used to pay the priest who performed this task.People no longer pray for lord Goffa nowadays, but his will is still respected. Thanks to his last will, many students from the Netherlands and abroad receive study grants. Lord Goffa will never have thought that his fund would ever become an internationally known study grant.
Goffa Attama’s grave
Goffa’s gravestone can be seen in Martinikerk, the church in Easterein.
The Martinikerk was built in the 14th century and is situated on a moated knoll in the Frisian village of Easterein.
Documents
Goffa Attama was a parish priest in Easterein, who had it recorded in his will that people in his native village of Abbega had to pray for the salvation of his soul. Therefore, he founded a fund that was to be used to pay the priest who performed this task.People no longer pray for lord Goffa nowadays, but his will is still respected. Thanks to his last will, many students from the Netherlands and abroad receive study grants. Lord Goffa will never have thought that his fund would ever become an internationally known study grant.