You can get a loan as a student studying in Denmark. This student grant and loan are referred to as Statens Uddannelsesstøtte (SU) in Danish. The loan is provided for those studying full-time in public or private institutions and is free except for any voluntary loan, which is gradually repaid after the individual has finished their studies. Popular review platforms in Denmark, such as reviewsbird.dk, have provided useful information on different aspects, including the SU scheme.

Therefore, this article will further guide you in getting a student loan in Denmark. Below are things you need to know before applying.

 

What does Statens Uddannelsesstøtte mean?

Statens Uddannelsesstøtte, or SU for short, is one of the loans in Denmark specifically available to students in Denmark to ease their studies financially. The government offers it.

The grant was initially awarded to Danish citizens and students who have worked there for at least 2 years, but that rule has been modified to give international students access to the grant. You may want to try getting a loan from one of the top banks in Denmark, but that is not ideal for students.

How much is the student grant?

Presently, the grant stands at DKK 6.321 per month, excluding taxes. The final figure will depend on which tax card a student is using. There are two types of tax cards in Denmark. These are the A-Kort (lower tax) and B-Kort (higher tax).

However, you must be careful that the amount of SU you get monthly includes deducted taxes. You will end up paying back if you receive an unusually higher amount. Therefore, ensure you contact the SU authorities if such occurs.

Who is eligible for SU in Denmark?

As long as you are a citizen of Denmark, you are automatically eligible for the SU grant. However, it is a bit complicated for foreigners. Foreign students will have to request “Equal Status,” an official certificate that allows them to enjoy special privileges similar to a true Danish citizen.

What is the “Equal Status” document?

Equal status is a kind of rule that allows students from EU/EEA countries to be eligible for the student grant in Denmark. You won’t be eligible for the grant if you are not from any country in those regions.

The requirements for the Equal status certification include the following:

•         You must have the status of a worker or be employed in Denmark. You must be engaged in at least 10-12 hours of weekly labor.

•  You have stayed in Denmark for a minimum of 5 years. This criterion eliminates the compulsory working hours condition.
• Your child is an EU/EAA citizen employed in Denmark.
• Marriage to an EU/EAA citizen who doubles as an employee in Denmark.
• Either of your parents is a citizen of an EU/EAA country and is employed in Denmark.
• You are the parent of an EU/EAA citizen who is a worker in Denmark.

However, the rules above only apply to students from the EU/EEA. For other international students that come from elsewhere, the Danish rules exist to help them get the grant. These rules say the individual must have migrated to Denmark with their parents before age 20, all persons presently have a permanent residence permit, your spouse is Danish, or you have lived in the country for at least 5 years.

When is the Denmark student grant deadline?

The student grant deadline in Denmark is the last day of each month. Therefore, you can wait for the start of a new month to apply if you failed to do so the previous month.

Is the student grant in Denmark free?

The student grant in Denmark is free except for the voluntary SU loan. It is just a means to ease the financial burden on students. However, once you finish your studies, you are expected to gradually pay off any SU loan within 7 to 15 years.

 

Conclusion

The Statens Uddannelsesstøtte is a loan that helps students in Denmark finish their studies successfully without financial hardships. However, many rules are involved in getting an SU grant. The information above will help you understand the scheme better.