There is a limit to how much you can earn before your grant can be reduced, or for not having part of your loan converted into a grant.
The exemption rule means that Lånekassen will disregard income that is above the threshold between 1 March and 31 December 2020, if such is payment for work directly related to the coronavirus pandemic. This means that you can earn over the threshold for 2020 during this period, and still have your loan converted into a grant. If you have other income that is not directly related to the coronavirus pandemic during the same period, the exception will not apply to such income.
This exception only applies to certain groups
The government has determined that this exemption shall apply to students in higher and other education in Norway and abroad:
- students in Norway working in the healthcare sector
- students abroad, both those working in the healthcare sector in Norway and those who may be working in the country in which they are studying
- police students who sign up to work for the police or emergency services
- students who are ordered to serve in the Home Guard or Civil Defence Corps
Furthermore, students who have children will not receive a reduction in their childcare grant on the basis of additional income from work directly related to the coronavirus pandemic which has been carried out by their spouse or partner. This exception also applies between 1 March and 31 December 2020. If your partner or spouse has other income that is not directly related to the coronavirus pandemic during the same period, the exception will not apply to such income.
You must prove that the exception applies to you
When assessing whether or not you are entitled to a grant for the calendar year of 2020, we will not be checking to see how much your 2020 income was until the summer of 2021. This means that you should wait until then to submit documentation showing that you or your partner/spouse have had income directly related to the coronavirus pandemic. If your income did not exceed the threshold, you do not need to submit anything.
Income threshold for 2020
The threshold is NOK 188,509 when you receive support for more than seven months in 2020, and NOK 471,270 when you receive support for seven months or less in 2020.
The wealth and social security benefit thresholds still apply
No exceptions have been made to the thresholds which apply to how much wealth or social security benefit you can have before your grant is reduced. These thresholds still apply to students who could be exempt from the income threshold due to work directly related to the coronavirus pandemic.