Countries with exceptions for students affected by war or conflict

When there is a war, conflict, or another situation that poses a risk to you as a student, the Ministry of Education and Research (Kunnskapsdepartementet) or Lånekassen may make exceptions to the ordinary rules for loans and grants.

The exceptions described on this page are temporary. We update the page whenever changes occur.

Updated: 18 June 2026.

Norwegian exchange students in Jordan spring 2026

If this applies to you, you are exempt from:

  • the requirement to live at your place of study in order to receive loans and grants. This means that you may, for example, complete the programme as an online course and still receive loans and grants.
  • the requirement to live away from your parents in order to qualify for conversion of loans into grants. This means that living with your parents while taking this programme will not affect whether your loan can be converted into a grant.

Directive on exceptions for Norwegian exchange students in Jordan (PDF in Norwegian only)

Students in Palestine and Lebanon

These exceptions have applied to students in Palestine and Lebanon from the 2023–2024 academic year onwards, and remain in effect through the 2025–2026 academic year. They apply only to students who had already begun their education during the 2023–2024 academic year.

If this applies to you, you are exempt from:

  • the requirement to live at your place of study in order to receive loans and grants. This means that you may, for example, complete the programme as an online course and still receive loans and grants.
  • the requirement to live away from your parents in order to qualify for conversion of loans into grants. This means that living with your parents while taking this programme will not affect whether your loan can be converted into a grant.

Directive on the continuation of exceptions for Norwegian students in Palestine and Lebanon, 2025–2026 (PDF in Norwegian only)

Studies in Russia and Belarus

Lånekassen has not provided loans and grants for new programmes of study in Russia and Belarus since the 2022–2023 academic year. This exception has been extended and remains in effect through the 2026–2027 academic year.

Directive to Lånekassen on educational support for studies in Russia and Belarus 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 (PDF in Norwegian only)

Norwegian students affected by the war in Ukraine

Lånekassen has made exceptions for students affected by the war in Ukraine since spring 2022. These exceptions apply to students who were enrolled in education programmes in Ukraine during the spring semester of 2022 and who continued their studies there. The exceptions remain in effect until the programme is completed. The exceptions apply both to exchange students and to students pursuing a full degree in Ukraine.

If this applies to you, you are exempt from:

  • the requirement to live at your place of study in order to receive loans and grants. This means that you may, for example, complete the programme as an online course and still receive loans and grants.
  • the requirement to live away from your parents in order to qualify for conversion of loans into grants. This means that living with your parents while taking this programme will not affect whether your loan can be converted into a grant.

Directive to Lånekassen on measures for Norwegian students in countries affected by the war in Ukraine (PDF in Norwegian only)

Read more about loans and grants for studies abroad

For all other countries, the ordinary rules for loans and grants still apply. You can find more information about what support you may receive while studying abroad on the following pages:

University and university college education abroad
University and university college in the Nordic region
Exchange programme at a university or university college
Exchange - university and university college in the Nordic region
Language course