Scholarships and Student Financial Aid in Norway

The short answer on Norwegian scholarships

Norway does not run a general government scholarship that every international student applies for. The Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships open to all international students, according to Study in Norway , the national information portal. Funding instead comes through a mix of national student finance for those eligible, individual university awards, and external foundations, so you build your funding plan from several smaller sources rather than one national scheme.

Lånekassen: the national student finance scheme

Lånekassen is Norway's national student finance agency, and it provides loans to eligible students that partly convert into a non-repayable grant once you pass your exams and complete your program, a mechanism unique to how Norway funds education. This scheme mainly serves Norwegian citizens and residents, and EU/EEA and Swiss citizens studying in Norway access it under specific residency and work conditions. Confirm your eligibility directly with Lånekassen before you count on this funding, since conditions depend on your citizenship, residence history, and study program.

University-level scholarships and fee waivers

Individual universities run their own scholarship programs, mostly aimed at non-EU/EEA students facing tuition fees, and these vary year to year and by program. Some universities set aside partial or full tuition waivers for high-performing applicants to specific master's programs, and others offer merit-based reductions rather than blanket support. NTNU, for example, states it offers no scholarships that cover tuition fees, according to NTNU , which shows how much scholarship policy differs by institution rather than following one national rule.

Check the scholarship or financial aid page of each university and program you apply to directly, since award availability, amounts, and deadlines change between institutions and between intakes. Some scholarships require a separate application with its own deadline, sometimes earlier than the program admission deadline itself, so start looking for funding at the same time you start your admission application rather than after you receive an offer.

External and foundation scholarships

Outside the university system, foundations and schemes fund both full degree students and exchange students in Norway, according to Study in Norway. These awards come from a mix of private foundations, subject-specific bodies, and bilateral agreements between Norway and other countries, so availability depends heavily on your home country and field of study. Search using your nationality and subject area together with the term scholarship Norway, and check with your home country's ministry of education or a relevant professional association, since many of these awards get advertised locally rather than through Norwegian channels.

Proof of funds for your residence permit

If you come from outside the EU/EEA, Norwegian immigration authorities (UDI) require proof that you support yourself financially before granting your student residence permit, on top of and separate from any tuition you pay. This amount changes periodically, so check the current figure directly on UDI's website rather than an old number, and gather your bank statements or funding confirmation letters early since permit processing takes time.

Erasmus+ and exchange funding

If you study in Norway as part of an exchange rather than a full degree, Erasmus+ mobility grants often apply, since Norway takes part in Erasmus+ through its EEA membership alongside EU countries. Your home university's international office runs this application, not the Norwegian host institution, so start that conversation before you leave rather than after you arrive. Exchange students typically still pay their home university's fees rather than Norwegian tuition, whatever their nationality.

Working while you study

Part-time work helps many students cover living costs alongside any grant or loan funding. Non-EU/EEA students on a study residence permit normally work part-time during term and full-time during holidays, subject to the conditions on their specific permit, and EU/EEA students face no separate work restriction since they hold full residence rights. Wages from part-time work rarely cover full tuition at the higher non-EU fee categories, so treat work income as a supplement to your budget rather than your main funding source.

Building a realistic funding plan

• Confirm your own tuition status (free for EU/EEA/Swiss, fee-paying for others) before you estimate how much funding you need.

• Apply for Lånekassen support early if you qualify, since eligibility and processing take time to confirm.

• Check every university's own scholarship page for the specific programs you apply to, rather than assuming a general Norway-wide award exists.

• Search foundation and bilateral scholarships tied to your nationality and subject area.

• Plan for part-time work as a supplement once you confirm your permit's work conditions, not as your core funding.