Are you pregnant? Are you becoming a father?
Below you will find information about your rights as a student in relation to pregnancy and childbirth. If you would like to know more about rights and benefits as a parent and a student see Students who has children.
Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (NSELF)
Childbirth grant: If you give birth as a student, you can receive a childbirth grant from NSELF. The requirement is that you are eligible for a grant or a loan from NSELF six months prior to the birth and that you are entitled to on-going financial support. You may receive grant the last three weeks prior to the birth and until 39 weeks after birth. If these 39 weeks also include summer holiday, you can also receive a grant for this period. Childbirth grant equals the maximum of loan and grant you would normally receive for these weeks. If you are both students and entitled to childbirth grant, you may split the time receiving the grant. However, three weeks prior to birth and six weeks after are reserved the mother.
Postpone interest: If the mother/ father have finished their studies or is ineligible for loan, the provider for the child may postpone interest for until 12 months after childbirth, depending on the income of the provider. The interest may also be postponed in relation to caring for children between the age of one and ten. Postponing the interest is assed based on the income of the partner. See Lånekassen.
The Social welfare system
One-time grant: If the mother is not eligible for maternity pay, a one-time grant is available. This is for students receiving childbirth grant from NSELF. The one-time grant is tax-free, and you can apply to receive it in the beginning of your third trimester of your pregnancy. Applications are send to the your local social-welfare office.
Maternity pay: If the mother or the father have been working six of the last ten months before the childbirth with an annual income over half a basic amount, you will receive maternity pay. Maternity pay is given as full income for 42 weeks or with 80% income for 52 weeks. If the mother has not earned right to birth money the father can have 29 weeks with full income or 39 weeks with 80% income. The paternity/ maternity leave must start three weeks prior to the childbirth at least, and the first six weeks after are reserved the mother. The father's right to paternity leave is based on him becoming the provider and the mother returning to her studies or work before the maternity leave is over.
If you receive vocational rehabilitation benefit: Your vocational rehabilitation benefit will be repealed at the time of the childbirth. After your maternity leave you may resume the vocational rehabilitation benefit. If you have been a student for more than six months you are entitled to grant and loan from NSELF (see information above). You are also entitled to the one-time grant from the social welfare office.
Child benefit: Child benefit encompasses all children under the age of eighteen years. A month after your baby is born you will receive child benefit every year until one month prior to the child"s eighteen birthday. If your child is born in Norway the Population Register will automatically send message to your nearest welfare office. An individual application is not needed.
For more information see NAV.
Who can you contact?
Do you have any unanswered questions? Make an appointment at the Student’s counselling service, so we can look at it together!
You can also receive counselling in relation to pregnancy at the Studenthelsestasjon(Student’s health centre), open every Wednesday from 3-6 pm. The Studenhelsetjeneste (Student’s health service) is located in the facilities of the Student’s counselling service.
