If you become ill and cannot attend classes, your loan for this period can be reversed to a grant. This is also valid if you have to stay at home with a sick child under the age of ten and cannot attend classes. In both cases the illness must be documented.
NSELF can offer a sickness grant until four months and two week pr two semesters. Loan for the 14 first days of a semester is so-called deferred period and will not be reversed to a grant.
If you are a student and sick once the teaching commences, this arrangement does not apply. If your illness hinders you to finish your studies, you should consider not receiving loan from NSELF.
If you receive welfare/ rehabilitation benefits, this arrangement does not apply.
There is an own application form for reversed, and this application must reach the NSELF six months after finishing the semester at the latest. See Lånekassen.
Health fund
The student's welfare organisation in Tromsø has a health fund that offers financial aid for students with large healthcare expenses. Students at the University or at the University College in Tromsø who have had medical expenses exciding 2200kr during a calendar year, can apply the health fund for money. The applicants may receive until 20000kr for documented expenses they have had during the appliance period (01.01 - 31.12).
You can apply for:
40% of the expenses on necessary dental care (max 4000kr)
1000kr for a visual test and a pair of glasses
Expenses for chiropractor of physical therapist
Own risk up to the tax-exempt card limit
White prescription medicines (Not birth control, vaccination/ medicine related to a stay abroad unrelated to your studies).
Other exceptional cases, for instance extraordinaire travel expenses in relation to sickness, disabilities, serious illness or death in the nearest family.
Important: The applicants must read and understand the guidelines of the Health fund, and must be attentive to the requirements and the documentation needed in order for the application to be approved. For regulations and application form see Helsefondet.
You can also find the application form at the Student"s counselling service and in SiTø’s general office.
Daily cash benefits in the case of sickness
If you have been working in addition to studying, you might have earned the right to daily cash benefit in the case of sickness. The amount you can receive is depended on income and work-conditions.
If you have been at least 50% reported sick for 52 continuous weeks and still sick, you might be eligible for rehabilitation benefit.
If you are a student under the age of 26, you might be eligible for rehabilitation benefit after only 20 weeks of illness.
The chance of receiving rehabilitation benefits is independent from whether or not you have received daily cash benefits for the first 52/20 weeks of your illness. The conclusive argument is that you are still at least 50% reported sick and are in treatment with chances of improvement. If your illness is prolonged and becomes chronic, you might apply for vocational rehabilitation benefit in order to finish your studies. Talk to your doctor about this. See also NAV.
Public assistance
If your illness is prolonged you should not receive grant/loan. This can lead to problems with the NSELF once you get well enough to resume your studies.
For periods of prolonged illness, you might be eligible to receive public assistance. The condition is that you have not other income of saved means you can live by. Contact the social service where you live, or contact us at the Student’s counselling service.
The Social service office here in Tromsø is located in the city hall in the city centre. See Tromsø kommune.
Who can you contact?
It is important that you contact a general practitioner (Fastlege) once you become ill. He will do the follow-up and will document your illness.
If you need more information about the service of the NSELF, contact their office in Tromsø.
If you need anyone to give you advice or talk to you about illness, you can also contact Student’s counselling service.
