The State Loan Fund for Education (referred to as "Lånekassen") is Norway's state education support agency, managing grants and loans for over 850,000 students and pupils each year. Foreign citizens are subject to separate rules that vary significantly based on citizenship and residence status. This guide shows you the rights for refugees, EEA/EFTA citizens, and family-reunited individuals in 2026 — with references to the legal basis.
The Legal Basis: Who Regulates the State Loan Fund?
The State Loan Fund is regulated by the Education Support Act (Act of 3 June 2005 no. 37) and associated Regulation on Allocation of Education Support for the Academic Year 2025–2026 (established by the Ministry of Education). Key provisions:
- § 2 — who has the right to education support
- § 3 — citizenship and residence requirements
- § 4 — refugees and persons with collective protection
- § 5 — EEA/EFTA citizens and their families
- § 6 — family-reunited individuals
Updated rates are determined annually by the Norwegian Parliament through the state budget.
Who Can Apply to the State Loan Fund as a Non-Norwegian Citizen?
You can apply to the State Loan Fund as:
- Person with refugee status (Immigration Act § 28) — full rights from day one
- Person with residence on humanitarian grounds (Immigration Act § 38) — same as refugee
- Person with collective protection (Immigration Act § 34) — including Ukrainian refugees
- EEA/EFTA citizen — rights under the EEA Agreement with additional conditions (see below)
- Family-reunited with a Norwegian citizen or person with permanent residence permit
- Person with permanent residence permit — same rights as Norwegian citizen
Persons Who Normally Do Not Have Rights
- Persons with temporary residence permit without special grounds
- Tourists, persons on student visas (§ 26)
- Persons in unlawful residence
EEA Citizens: Rights After 1 Year of Work in Norway
EEA/EFTA citizens have rights to the State Loan Fund based on the EEA Agreement Article 7 and Education Support Regulation § 5.
Option 1: EEA Citizen as Employee or Self-Employed
You have rights to the State Loan Fund on equal terms with Norwegian citizens if:
- You are an EEA/EFTA citizen
- You have been in regular employment or self-employment in Norway for the past 12 months before study start
- The employment is documented (employment contract, payslips, employment registration report)
This regulation is based on EU Court of Justice case C-46/12 LN, which establishes that workers from EEA countries are entitled to equal treatment for education support in the host country.
Option 2: Child of EEA Citizen Who Works in Norway
Children under 21 years old of an EEA citizen working in Norway have rights to the State Loan Fund without an independent requirement for their own work period. The regulation is based on EEA Regulation 492/2011 Article 10, which grants children of EEA workers equal access to education.
Option 3: EEA Citizen with Permanent Residence Rights
After 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Norway, EEA citizens obtain permanent residence rights — which grants full rights to the State Loan Fund.
Option 4: Student Who Has Already Completed Vocational Qualification / Upper Secondary in Norway
If you have completed upper secondary education in Norway (e.g., through adult education or apprenticeship programs), you normally qualify for State Loan Fund support for further studies.
Refugees and Collective Protection: Special Conditions
For refugees and persons with collective protection, more favorable rules apply. The basis is Education Support Regulation § 4 and the principle of integration.
Who Is Considered a Refugee Under the Law?
- Convention refugee — Immigration Act § 28 paragraph a: persecuted on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group membership
- Person in need of protection — Immigration Act § 28 paragraph b: real risk of death penalty, torture, or inhuman treatment
- Quota refugee — approved by the Directorate of Immigration following agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
- Person with residence on humanitarian grounds — Immigration Act § 38
Ukrainian Refugees with Collective Protection
Ukrainian refugees who received collective protection (Immigration Act § 34) following Russia's invasion in 2022 have full rights to the State Loan Fund from day one upon granted residence permit. The government has clarified this through specific information from the State Loan Fund. See also Norway and Ukraine.
The regulation requires that the refugee:
- Has obtained a residence permit in Norway (not just an applicant with registration certificate)
- Is in education at an approved school or university
- Meets age requirements for the relevant education
Child Allowance for Refugees
Refugees with children receive a child allowance in addition to regular support:
- Per child aged 0–15 years: approx. 2,100 NOK/month (2026)
- Means-tested against spouse's income
Right to Norwegian Language Training in Parallel
Refugees can combine Norwegian language training in the introduction program (see Norwegian language exam 2026) with education financed by the State Loan Fund. During the introduction program, one receives introduction support; outside the program, the State Loan Fund can cover costs.
What Can You Get? Grants, Loans and Housing Allowance 2026
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the State Loan Fund provides the following rates for full-time students:
Basic Support (Base Amount)
| Type | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Basic support (loan) | approx. 12,800 NOK | approx. 128,350 NOK |
| Of which housing allowance (for non-resident students) | approx. 5,700 NOK | approx. 51,300 NOK |
Child Allowance
| Type | Monthly per Child |
|---|---|
| Child allowance 0–15 years | approx. 2,100 NOK |
| Child allowance 16–17 years | 0 (covered by other support) |
Travel Allowance (for studies abroad)
- 2 return flights per academic year within Europe
- 1 return flight outside Europe
Tuition Fee Loan (for studies abroad)
- 100% loan up to 156,610 NOK per year (bachelor)
- 100% loan up to 195,760 NOK per year (master)
Up to 40% Conversion to Grant
Up to 40% of basic support can be converted to grants if you:
- Do not live with your parents (non-resident)
- Pass exams/courses (approved study progression of at least 60 ECTS credits)
- Have limited income (income exceeding the income limit reduces the grant)
Income Limit 2026: Students can earn up to 220,000 NOK per year before the grant is reduced.
Interest and Repayment
- Interest-free while you study and for 6 months after completing education
- Thereafter market interest set by the State Loan Fund quarterly (2026: approx. 4.8%)
- Repayment period: normally up to 20 years
- Interest compensation for unemployment, illness, parental leave
- Debt forgiveness for permanent disability, death, long-term unemployment
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Register as a student at your school or university (admission must be confirmed)
- Log in to lanekassen.no with BankID or MinID — see BankID and MinID
- Complete the application — select education, study progression (full-time/part-time), semester
- Documentation (especially for foreign citizens):
- Copy of residence permit (refugee decision or EEA registration certificate)
- Confirmation of school place
- For EEA worker: employment confirmation, payslips for last 12 months
- For child of EEA worker: confirmation of parent's employment
- Submit the application — normally processing time 1–2 months
- Decision — received digitally via Altinn or Digital mailbox/eBoks
Disbursement
- Monthly disbursement to Norwegian bank account — open account first
- 10.–14. of each month during the study period
- The semester is divided: autumn semester 15 August–15 January; spring semester 16 January–14 June
What Happens if You Interrupt Your Studies?
If you interrupt your studies (illness, family reasons, academic break):
- Notify the State Loan Fund immediately via lanekassen.no
- Disbursement stops
- You may be required to repay what you received without passing
- Housing allowance is converted back to loan if study progression is not approved
- In case of illness, you can apply for deferred repayment or interest compensation
Special Rules for Refugees and Immigrants
Combination of Introduction Program and State Loan Fund
Refugees in the introduction program (introduction act) receive introduction support (2 × G per year ≈ 248,000 NOK in 2026). During the program, the State Loan Fund cannot be combined directly, but upon program completion, full rights open up.
Recognition of Foreign Education
If you have education from your home country, it must be recognized for admission to higher education in Norway:
- NOKUT — Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
- Check recognition of foreign education
For refugees who have lost documentation, NOKUT has a special arrangement: UVD Certificate (Foreign Secondary Documentation).
Extra Support for Newly Arrived
Refugees and immigrants can additionally apply for:
- Introduction support — during introduction program (2 × G per year)
- Social assistance from NAV — if ordinary support is insufficient
- Qualification program — for long-term unemployed
See social assistance NAV and AAP.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
1. Not Applying in Time
Application deadline for autumn semester is 15 November for disbursement from September. If you apply late, the first disbursement is delayed.
2. Wrong Residence Status
Non-resident status triggers housing allowance. If you live at home with parents or family, you do not receive housing allowance. Register correct status at the population register.
3. Missing Documentation for EEA Work Period
EEA citizens using the employment route must document 12 months of work. Payslips, employment contract, and employment registration printout from the Tax Authority are recommended.
4. Exceeding Income Limit
If you earn more than 220,000 NOK per year, the grant is reduced or lost. Report income regularly.
5. Incorrectly Reported Study Progression
Lacking study progression = housing allowance is converted to loan. Consult your school about study progression requirements.
Foreign Citizen's Path to Study Financing
Students from Outside EEA/EFTA
Third-country nationals without refugee status or family reunification normally have no rights to the State Loan Fund. Alternatives:
- Norwegian Research Council grants — for specific fields of study
- University and college grants — for international students
- NORAD, Erasmus+, Fulbright — international programs
- Private financing / family loans
PhD Students
PhD candidates are hired as temporary employees at the university with salary (~500,000 NOK per year gross). The State Loan Fund is not relevant.
Appeals and Written Rejection
You can appeal the State Loan Fund's decision within 3 weeks from the decision date. The appeal is sent in writing via lanekassen.no. In case of rejection, you have the right to:
- First-level appeal — reviewed by the State Loan Fund itself
- Appeal to the Ministry of Education's appeals body
- Court review for non-compliance with regulations
See also Norwegian Courts.
Summary
The State Loan Fund supports over 850,000 students and pupils in Norway and also grants foreign citizens rights to grants and loans under certain conditions. Refugees and persons with collective protection (including Ukrainians) have full rights from day one upon granted residence permit. EEA citizens qualify after 12 months of work in Norway, as children of EEA workers, or after 5 years with permanent residence rights. For 2026, basic support is approx. 12,800 NOK/month with up to 40% conversion to grant if you live away from parents and pass exams. The loan is interest-free during studies plus 6 months afterward, then market interest. Apply at lanekassen.no with BankID, notify immediately of interruptions, and monitor the income limit of 220,000 NOK per year. Regulations: Education Support Act, Education Support Regulation § 4 (refugees) and § 5 (EEA citizens), plus EEA Agreement Article 7 and Regulation 492/2011.
