Personal finances
What is SU and am I eligible?
The Danish society lends Danish students a helping hand in covering living costs for a great variety of courses and studies.
If you are not a Danish citizen, you must fulfil some special conditions to be placed on an equal footing with Danish citizens and receive state education support (SU). Read more about it at SU's website in English.
There are 2 main support programmes:
- For people over 18 following a youth education program.
- For students enrolled in higher education courses.
How much is the SU?
You can receive SU for up to 6 years. The amount varies according to your age and your education.
You can find the SU rates on su.dk.
Extra monthly grants
In particular situations - mainly sickness and childbirth - students can apply for extra monthly grants.
New mothers are eligible for 12 and new fathers for 6 extra monthly grants, with certain stipulations.
Who can get a student loan?
With a student loan you often get a better deal than with a regular loan.
If you are approved to receive SU you are offered supplementary student loans. The interest rate for these loans is set by Parliament.
Paying back the student loan
You must start paying back state loans no later than one year after the end of the year in which they graduate or give up their studies. The loan must be repaid within 15 years.
Completion loan (slutlån)
If you are taking a higher education program and have used up all your study grant portions, you can get a completion loan (slutlån) (in Danish).
You can receive a completion loan in the last year of your studies. Interests on the completion loan are back on the same terms as the regular State Loan.
You can receive a completion loan for a maximum of 12 months.