The Swedish study support system
The Swedish study support system has a long tradition and is an important part of the Government's education policy.
The system is designed to promote high participation in education. It is also intended to help realize the objectives of education policy by reducing the impact of social, financial and geographical background and by making it easier for disabled and older people to study. All education in the state school system and universities and higher education institutions in Sweden is free of charge. Study support is primarily intended to cover a student's living costs during his/her education. The study support system is also an important part of the Swedish welfare system.
In recent years, Sweden has made several reforms of the study support system in order to create a well-functioning system matching the Country's expansion of higher education. Sweden's current study support system was introduced on 1 July 2001 and contains different types of support consisting of grants and loans.
The system is generously designed and creates the financial conditions for many people to get an education. It also means that the state's annual investment in this area are substantial.
Swedish study support system, 2007
Recipients, approx. |
Cost, approx. |
|---|---|
950 000 students |
SEK 20 billion (EUR 2.25 billion) |
The Swedish study support system:
- is equal for all,
- includes almost all citizens,
- is given directly to the student,
- is principally granted independently of parents' or family's financial situation.
There are different kinds of state study support to meet varying needs.
Study support
All adult students can apply for study support regardless of the educational level of their studies. Study support can be granted for full- or part-time studies. It is possible for students to work and earn a limited amount alongside their studies without support being reduced. Study support consists partly of a loan and partly of a grant that is given for the period of study, normally 40 weeks per academic year. There are some limitations in the study support that are linked to the period of study and to the student's age. The upper age limit for students to receive support is 54 years.
The sum paid as a study grant is equal for all and is adjusted annually according to the general development of prices in society. The study grant is around one-third of the total amount of study support and is tax-free and pensionable. Students with children receive an additional grant.
The loan is around two-thirds of the total amount of study support. More than two-thirds of all students choose to take out a study loan. It is also possible for some students to receive further supplementary loans and loans for additional costs in connection with their studies.
The study support system is based on repayment of study loans. Repayment starts at the beginning of the year following the completion of studies and normally continues for 25 years. Interest is immediately added to the debt. The interest rate is advantageous compared with other interest on loans and takes account of deduction rules in the tax system. Safety clauses are also built into the repayment system, which make it possible to take account of an individual's ability to pay.
Studies abroad
Emphasis is given in Sweden to opportunities to study abroad at higher education level. Generous conditions exist for obtaining study support for studies abroad. Students abroad are also able to receive extra loans for additional costs in connection with their studies.
Upper secondary study allowance
Upper secondary study allowance promotes high participation in secondary school and contributes to the costs of young people's education. It is given in addition to other societal support to families with children. Upper secondary study allowance primarily consists of a study grant for young students at secondary schools and is disbursed over a 10-month period per academic year. It is also possible for some students to receive means-tested supplementary support.
Other types of support
There are also various types of study support intended for specific groups of students, for example disabled students.
Agencies and regulatory framework
The Swedish study support system is primarily administered by one central agency, the Swedish National Board of Student Aid (Centrala studiestödsnämnden, CSN). The study support system is primarily regulated in the Study Support Act (1999:1395) and the Study Support Ordinance (2000:655). CSN has also issued a number of regulations.
Further information
Read more about Swedish education policy under Universities and other higher education institutions. Detailed information about the Swedish study support system will be found on the CSN website. The CSN's website contains information on how to apply for study support, the conditions that must be fulfilled and rules applying to repayment of loans.
Foreign students and Swedish student aid
If you are a foreign national and wish to receive Swedish student aid or a recruitment grant during your studies, your application will be subject to a special, two-stage assessment procedure. Read more on CSN's website.
