Ghassan and a friend from Syria entered Turkey in November between that country and one of the Greek islands.
Twice the Greek coastguard caught them and disabled their smugglers' boats, once the Turkish authorities intercepted and turned them back.
So what do Ghassan and his friend plan to do now?
"We will stay in Turkey legally and study," he said.
EU funding to boost education for Syrian refugees will soak up a significant part of the promised cash, Mr Timmermans said in Ankara on Monday, adding he was awaiting a list of projects for funding "so Syrian children can go to school".
Europe is also pressing Turkey to grant more work permits for Syrian refugees.