08 - Norway - Financial support for students
The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (NSELF) was established in 1947 and provides financial
support for the students in the form of grants and loans. These are mainly to cover expenses for
accommodation, subsistence costs and study materials.
Every student can get financial support up to NOK 80,000 each academic year of ten months (2007).
The total amount is initially given as a loan. Up to 40 % of the amount may be converted to a grant for
students who do not live at home with their parents. In order to receive maximum grant, students have
to
● Pass all their examinations
● Earn less than NOK 116,983 each year (2007)
● Have assets not exceeding NOK 231,426 (2007).
The support remains a loan for students who live at home with their parents, even if they pass all their
examinations. Means testing of the parents’ economy was disbanded in the early 1970s’. Students
with children may be given an additional grant. The size of the grant depends on the income of the
student and the income of spouse or cohabitant.
Students may receive an additional loan of maximum NOK 50,000 each year to cover fees in private
higher education institutions (2007).
Loans are interest free during the studies. Repayment starts about seven months after graduation.
NSELF has schemes that ordinary banks do not have. In cases of low income, unemployment, illness,
childbirth or care of small children, repayments may be postponed for a period and the interest be
waived. All or parts of the loan may be cancelled if permanent illness prevents working, also when
working in the most northern part of Northern Norway.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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