Study support from Lånekassen increases for the 2026–2027 academic year, effective from August 2026. Maximum basic loan is 170 368 kroner for eleven months, support rates increase 2.1 percent, and income and asset limits increase 4.5 percent. Apply in good time before semester starts.
Lånekassen (State Loan Fund for Education) is the public scheme that provides loans and grants to pupils and students in Norway. The regulations for the new academic year were finalized 11 May 2026.
How Much Study Support Can You Get in 2026–2027?
A full-time student can get up to 170 368 kroner in basic loan for the 2026–2027 academic year. That equals 15 488 kroner per month when you receive payments over eleven months. The basic loan is a loan, but up to 40 percent can become a grant if you meet the conditions below.
| Rate 2026–2027 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum basic loan (11 months) | 170 368 kr |
| Basic loan per month (full-time) | 15 488 kr |
| Living allowance grant per month | 7 015 kr |
| Child grant, first child (per month) | 2 340 kr |
| Share that can become grant | up to 40 % |
How Does a Study Loan Become a Grant?
Up to 40 percent of the basic loan can be converted into a grant, which is money you do not pay back. To get it, you must meet three conditions:
- You must pass as many study credits as the loan covers.
- You must not live together with your parents during the period.
- You must stay below the income and asset limits.
The last 25 percent you only receive when you have completed a full degree. If you complete only parts of your studies, 15 percent becomes a grant.
Income and Asset Limits: Do You Earn Too Much?
If you earn or own too much, the grant is reduced. For 2026, the income limit is 234 821 kroner if you receive support for the whole year. The asset limit is 534 225 kroner for single people and 1 026 024 kroner for married or cohabiting couples. Income above the limit reduces the grant by 5 percent per support month, and assets above the limit reduce it by 2 percent. If you have a part-time job as a student, it is good to calculate this before you agree to more shifts. Note that the limits increase 4.5 percent, while the support rates themselves only increase 2.1 percent.
Child Allowance Grant for Students with Children
If you have children, you can get a child allowance grant (child grant) in addition to the basic loan. A student with one child can get up to 2 340 kroner per month, 2 131 kroner for the second child and 1 385 kroner for each additional child. The rate for the first child has been increased by 10 percent above the general increase – a clear priority in the 2026 state budget.
Who Has the Right to Study Support?
Norwegian citizens have the right to study support. EEA citizens (European Economic Area) can get support if they or a parent work in Norway, or after a certain period of residence – read more in the guide on EEA students in Norway. Many refugees with a residence permit that provides grounds for permanent residence also have the right; see Lånekassen for Refugees and EEA Students. If you come from a country outside the EEA only to study, you generally do not get support. A full overview can be found in the article on Higher Education and Lånekassen.
Support Increases Less Than Price Growth
Be honestly aware of this: the increase of 2.1 percent is lower than expected price and wage growth. The Norwegian Student Organization (NSO) points out that study support therefore loses its real value, while ordinary wages are expected to increase around 4.5 percent. In practice, you get a few hundred kroner more per month, but purchasing power does not fully follow.
How to Apply Before Semester Starts
The application for 2026–2027 opens in mid-May 2026. Apply in good time before study starts in August, so the money is in place at the start of the semester; payment comes after studies have begun. The final deadline for the academic year is 15 March 2027, but apply early to avoid queues.
If you are going to take the Citizens' Test alongside your studies, you can practice for free on SamfunnPrep.
