New arrivals in Sweden – for those who are a refugee or guardian for an unaccompanied minor
Sweden believes it is important for everyone to be able to study so as to make it easier to find work. Therefore, normally, it does not cost anything to study in Sweden. In addition, you may be entitled to CSN grants and loans to make it easier to live and study in Sweden.
CSN grants and loans
If you are a refugee and you want to study in Sweden, you may be entitled to CSN grants and loans for your studies. This is called student finance. Student finance enables people who are studying to pay their rent and buy food and other things they need while studying.
If you are a refugee, you may also be entitled to borrow money from CSN to buy furniture and other household items for your home. This is known as a home equipment loan.
If you do not have a Swedish driving licence, you may be entitled to borrow money from CSN so you can take lessons and acquire a driving licence. This is known as a driving licence loan.
Different types of student finance
There are different kinds of student finance depending on what you study and how old you are. Here are the most common types:
A refugee’s right to Swedish student finance
You will normally be entitled to Swedish student finance if you belong to one of the following categories:
- If the Swedish Migration Agency has given you a residence permit because you are a refugee or in need of protection.
- If the Swedish Migration Agency has given you a residence permit on grounds of particularly distressing circumstances.
- If the Swedish Migration Agency has given you a residence permit based on the temporary law that limits the possibilities of being granted a residence permit in Sweden. One example of such a permit is the residence permit for upper secondary school studies under the upper secondary school act.
- If you have been given a placement in a foster family or in an HVB home by a Swedish authority, you will normally be entitled to Swedish student finance. In that case, you must
- be younger than 20 years
- have a valid residence permit
- be able to present the placement order issued by the authority.
Your residence permit must be valid
You must have a valid residence permit but it does not matter if it is permanent or temporary. Your right to student finance comes into force earliest as of the week you are given your permit.
Asylum seekers
If you are an asylum-seeker and have never had a residence permit in Sweden, you are not entitled to student finance.
Guardian for an unaccompanied minor
As a guardian for an unaccompanied minor, you can apply for a study allowance from CSN for the minor. In order to receive money, you need to register as a payee with us. The payee can also be someone such as a foster parent.
Driving licence loan for unemployed
If you are unemployed, you can borrow money from CSN so you can take lessons and acquire a class B driving licence. It may be easier to find a job if you have a driving licence.
To qualify for this loan, you must be unemployed and aged between 18 and 47. However, this does not apply to all unemployed people; certain other conditions must also be fulfilled. The maximum amount you can borrow is 15,000 kronor. The loan must be paid back later, even if you have not acquired a driving licence.
Home equipment loan
If you are a refugee who has been registered as part of a municipal refugee reception programme, you can borrow money from CSN to buy furniture and other equipment for your home, for example, beds, plates, saucepans or chairs. You cannot use the money to buy food, toilet paper or to pay rent. This loan is called a home equipment loan.
The amount you can borrow will depend on the size of your family, what items your home already has, and how much money you yourself have.
You will have to pay back the home equipment loan after a period of time in Sweden. You must begin to pay back the loan two years after you received the first payment.