For U.S. higher education institutions

Tips for recruitment

 

When is the best time to come and recruit Norwegian students?

• The academic school year runs from August to June. The fall semester spans from August to December, with most high schools having a fall break in October.

• The spring semester begins in January and ends in June, with holidays such as the winter break in February and Easter in March or April.

• Exams typically occur at the end of each semester, meaning schools have limited availability for presentations or visits from American colleges or U.S. partners during these periods.​

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Common challenges for students 

• The application process can be complicated, with limited assistance from Norwegian high school counselors especially for Common App.

• Limited access to testing facilities for the SAT/ACT, TOEFL and IELTS. 

• Grants and loans from Lånekassen might not cover full tuition costs at higher education institutions in the U.S.

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Norwegian education system

Young people who have completed primary and lower secondary education (or equivalent) are entitled to three years of upper secondary education. Upon completing this, students may achieve one of three outcomes: higher education entrance qualifications, a vocational qualification, or lower-level qualifications.

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To be admitted to a university or university college, students must obtain higher education entrance qualifications, typically through the Vitnemål (diploma). A vocational qualification alone does not provide eligibility for university or college admission. However, students with vocational training can complete an additional supplementary year to gain the necessary higher education entrance qualifications.

Read more about the Norwegian school system here.

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All students will have completed a minimum of 11 years of English courses by the time they graduate high school, and it is an elective subject for two years. Some will therefore have had English for thirteen years.

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There are 26 IB Diploma Programme high schools in Norway.

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Governmental funding for Norwegian students

In Norway, public university and college education is free. Students can apply for financial support to cover living expenses, study abroad fees, and more. Those attending private universities in Norway are also eligible to apply for loans. For students studying abroad, government funding is available to cover tuition, room, and board. Since it’s uncommon for Norwegian families to save specifically for education, most students rely on financial support from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen).

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Lånekassen

Norwegian students can receive financial aid from the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) for both domestic and international studies.

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Eligibility and Funding Amounts

Lånekassen offers grants and loans to Norwegian students pursuing higher education, both in Norway and abroad, for up to eight years. Foreign citizens may also be eligible for support to study in Norway under specific conditions.

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For students studying abroad, whether for a full degree or on exchange, Lånekassen partially funds the following:

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• Room and board: Same rate regardless of the study location.

• Tuition: Based on the actual cost, up to a specified maximum.

• Supplementary grants: Available for students attending high-cost or highly ranked universities.

• Supplementary tuition loans: Provided if tuition costs exceed the combined total of the tuition support and supplementary grant (if applicable).

• Travel expenses: Covers the cost of flights to and from the student’s hometown.

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For up-to-date funding amounts, see the official information provided by Lånekassen.