Upper secondary school with student loan

For those who are 21 years or older, or who have university and college admissions certification or vocational qualifications. It also applies to external candidates, regardless of age.

Vgs uten ungdomsrett

High school student girl with cell phone. Photo.

You can apply for a loan

You will not receive grants in the same way as those attending ordinary upper secondary education, but you can take out a loan.

We refer to this loan as basic support. All students are eligible for basic support, which is what most people refer to as a student loan. 

Up to 40 per cent of this may be converted to a grant if you

  • live away from your parents
  • complete your educational programme
  • have income, social security benefits and assets below the limits

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you can receive a loan for tuition fees.

Are you sitting an external examination in a subject you have previously passed (retaking a subject)?

Loans for these subjects cannot be converted to grants. This also applies if you initially took the subjects at ordinary upper secondary school.

You can receive basic support to take a total of 480 credits or equivalent

480 credits is the equivalent of eight years of full-time studies. Basic support received during upper secondary education counts towards the amount you can receive in total through loans and grants, as you receive loans and grants under the rules for higher and other education.

When do I have to repay the loan?

Interest will be added to the loan and you need to start making repayments if you no longer receive loans and grants for full-time education or study part-time. It will take around seven months from the last time you received a student loan from us until you receive the first bill.

This page applies to you if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You are 21 years of age or older. That is, the applicant will turn 21 years of age or more during the calendar year in which the academic year commences.
  • You have university and college admissions certification or vocational qualifications. This means that you have successfully completed a university and college admissions certification or vocational education programme. You have received a grade transcript, trade certificate or journeyman’s certificate.
  • You are taking upper secondary school at a private school and must take exames as an external candidate.

Exceptions for everyone other than external candidates: Will you turn 21 to 24 years in 2024? Did you receive a grant for course materials or other loans and grants under the rules for ordinary upper secondary education during the 2023-2024 academic year? Then you can be a part of a transitional scheme. Check if you are part of a transition scheme.  

Application deadlines

You must have a study place before applying. The final deadline for applying is

  • 15 November for the entire year or just the autumn semester
  • 15 March for the spring semester
To the application

Are you above the age of 30?

You can apply for up to
NOK 57,940
in additional loans per year

You can borrow up to NOK 57,940 extra per year if you are a full-time student. If you are a part-time student, the maximum amount you are offered to borrow is reduced. You may borrow up to NOK 115,880 in total, and you may choose how many years you want to allocate the loan across. You apply for the loan on the same form as for ordinary loans and grants.

The loan may not be combined with additional loans for those with children.

Go to additional loan.

 

Do you have reduced functional ability?

You may apply for an
extra grant
if you are unable to work besides your studies

If you have reduced functional ability that prevents you from working beside your studies, you may be eligible for an additional grant of NOK 4,443 per month. If you are a part-time student, you get a smaller amount.

You may also receive grants and loans during summer if you are unable to work during the summer holiday. A specialist must confirm that you have reduced functional ability.
You apply for loans and grants due to disability on a separate form.

Read more about grants for people with reduced functional ability

Do you have children?

You may receive extra
loans and grants
if you have or get children

If you have a child during your studies, or within seven months of completing a degree, you can receive a parental grant.

Parental grant in the event of birth or adoption

If you have children while studying, your basic support and additional loan for school fees may be converted to a grant for up to 49 weeks.

Child grant

If you have children below the age of 16, you may qualify for an additional grant. If you have several children, you receive more in grants. The child grant is means tested, which means that the amount is reduced if the family has income or assets in excess of the limits stipulated in the regulations. If you are a part-time student, you also get a smaller amount.

Additional loans

You may also borrow NOK 57,940 extra per year when you have children below the age of 16, with an upward limit of NOK 115,880 in total. Income and assets have no impact on whether you can receive an additional loan. If you are a part-time student, you will be offered a loan with a smaller amount.

Read about children and childbirth

Are you a refugee?
Read about refugee grants
The income limit is
214 213
for 2024

How much may I earn?

To receive a full grant, you may not earn more than NOK 214,213 in 2024, if you receive grants and loans for the full year.

In order to convert loans to grants, you must complete the courses you received loans and grants to take.

In addition to completing your educational programme, there is also a requirement of not earning too much. Note that the income limits apply for the calendar year, not the academic year. If you receive support for only one semester, the limit is higher.

You don’t lose the entire grant if you have income slightly over the limit, but we reduce it gradually according to the size of your income.

We also take social security benefits and assets into account

Assets and social security benefits may also affect how much of the basic support that may be converted to a grant.

Income and assets

When unexpected things happen

When something happens in your life or in your studies, it may impact what you are entitled to receive from Lånekassen, either now or later.

Related regulations