Government of Norway - Financial support for Norwegian students abroad

Financial support for Norwegian students abroad

You will receive student loan of about 385 EUR (NOK 170,368 for the 2026-2027 year, paid over 11 months) per month to study at a university outside the Nordic countries. This applies either to a full degree programme or to individual courses. The loan is interest-free whilst you are studying. Up to 40% of this amount can later be converted into a grant that you will never have to repay: 15% will be converted as soon as you pass your modules, and the remaining 25% once you have completed your entire degree programme. To qualify for this conversion, you must live away from your parents’ home, meet specified income and asset limits, and pass your exams.

As part of the same application, you can apply for additional financial support: a travel allowance to cover the cost of travelling to the continent where you are studying, an additional loan to cover tuition fees, a child allowance if you have children, and support if you have a disability. Students in Brazil, India, Japan, China, South Africa or South Korea receive an additional grant of approximately 4,493 NOK per month for up to 10 months. If your university charges very high tuition fees and is included on Lanekassen’s annual list of the approximately 76 leading universities (in the USA, the UK, Australia, Germany, Switzerland and other countries), part of your tuition fees will automatically be covered by extended funding. This is administered by Lanekassen, the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Norwegian citizen. Some non-Norwegians are also eligible: EEA or EFTA citizens who are permanently resident in Norway or who are employed here.
• School leaving qualification: You hold a Norwegian upper secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent foreign school-leaving qualification.
• Where you study: You are studying at a recognised higher education institution outside the Nordic region. For individual courses, you earn at least 30 credits per semester through face-to-face study (not online) at Bachelor’s level or above.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Age: There is no minimum age. Support is limited from 65 and ends at 70.
• Study progress: You are no more than 60 credits (approximately one year) behind, and you have not yet reached the maximum funding limit of 480 credits (approximately 8 years of full-time study).
• No debt problems: You are not in arrears with your repayments on previous loans from the Lanekasse.

How to apply

Apply for funding online via your personal account on lanekassen.no as soon as you have been offered a firm, unconditional place at your higher education institution. The deadline is 15. November for the autumn semester or the full academic year, and on 15 March for the spring semester. There is no selection process and no interview: anyone who meets the eligibility criteria will receive funding, and you will receive a response within 24 hours.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a government funding scheme, not a competition. If you are a Norwegian citizen, have been offered a place at a university outside the Nordic countries and meet the basic eligibility criteria, you will receive support. Pay particular attention to your academic progress and your repayment history, as falling too far behind or having outstanding payments from a previous loan may result in your account being suspended. Apply for the grant as soon as you have received your letter of admission.