Short answer: A full-time student in higher education can receive up to 170,368 kroner in basic loans for the academic year 2026–2027. This corresponds to 15,488 kroner per month for eleven months. The entire amount is initially disbursed as a loan. Later, up to 40 percent may be converted to a grant if the conditions are met.
The rules were verified on September 12, 2026. Support for higher education and support for upper secondary school are two different schemes.
Rates for Higher Education
| Support | Amount 2026–2027 |
|---|---|
| Basic loan per month | 15,488 kr |
| Number of support months | 11 |
| Basic loan for the academic year | 170,368 kr |
| Possible conversion to grant | Up to 40 % |
The payment is not exactly the same every month. Lånekassen usually pays more at the beginning of the semester. The money typically arrives on the 15th of the month when the conditions for payment are met.
The amount applies to full-time education. If you study part-time, the support will be lower.
Who Can Get a Basic Loan?
You must, among other things:
- have been accepted into an education approved by Lånekassen
- be a student or pupil with a study load that qualifies for support
- be within the rules regarding age, delays, and total support time
- meet the rules regarding citizenship or connection to Norway
Norwegian citizenship alone does not mean that every education qualifies for support. Foreign citizens may also be eligible but must meet their own conditions. Permanent residence, protection, family, EEA rules, work, or previous education may be relevant.
See SamfunnPrep's guide on Lånekassen for refugees and EEA citizens for a simple overview. Always use Lånekassen's own guide for your situation.
The usual limit is support for up to 480 study points. If you are more than 60 study points delayed, further support may stop. There are exceptions. From the age of 50, the loan may be lower, and after reaching 65 years, no support is granted.
When is the Loan Converted to a Grant?
The entire basic loan initially stands as a loan. Lånekassen later checks your results and information about income and wealth.
For universities and colleges, the conversion can be divided as follows:
- up to 15 percent for passed subjects or study points
- an additional 25 percent when you complete a degree
- a maximum of 40 percent when all conditions are met
If you only take individual subjects or a year of study without completing a degree, the possible conversion is usually limited to 15 percent.
You must also live away from your parents, pass the education, and stay within the limits for income and wealth. The conversion occurs later when Lånekassen has received the tax information.
Income and Wealth Limits in 2026
The limits follow the calendar year, not the academic year.
| Situation | Limit in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Gross income with support all year | 234,821 kr |
| Gross income with support for a maximum of seven months | 587,053 kr |
| Net wealth, unmarried | 534,225 kr |
| Total net wealth, spouses or cohabitants with common children | 1,026,024 kr |
If you earn or own more than the limit, the entire grant does not disappear at once. The part that can be converted will be gradually reduced.
The limits for 2027 may be different. Check them when Lånekassen publishes new figures. If you plan to work part-time, the guide on working alongside studies can help you ask the right budget questions.
Upper Secondary School Has Its Own Rules
The amount of 170,368 kroner does not automatically apply to all students in upper secondary school.
The usual student scheme typically applies to you if you:
- are under 21 years old
- have not completed study competence or vocational competence
- are not a private candidate
Here, the equipment grant is the basic support. Some may also receive income-dependent grants, travel grants, away-from-home grants, or loans.
The away-from-home grant is 7,015 kroner per month in 2026–2027. You usually must live away because there is at least 40 kilometers between home and school, because the journey takes at least three hours each day, or because special circumstances at home prevent you from living there.
Family income affects the income-dependent grant. This is not the same limit of 234,821 kroner used when converting basic loans in higher education.
If you are over 18 years old and live away, you may in some cases borrow up to 4,046 kroner extra per month. Students who are 21 years or older, private candidates, and individuals who already have study or vocational competence follow a different scheme for student loans.
Also, read the overview of higher education and Lånekassen or the guide to vocational school education.
Application Deadlines
You must apply again for each academic year after you have been accepted into a study program.
- November 15, 2026: deadline for the entire year or just autumn 2026
- March 15, 2027: deadline for just spring 2027
Apply early. Payment requires, among other things, that the educational institution has registered you as a student, that you have signed the support agreement, and that your account number is registered.
SamfunnPrep does not provide financial advice and does not process applications to Lånekassen. If you want to learn more about education and community life in Norway in simple language, you can try SamfunnPrep for free.
