Following a report by Aftenposten, the Norwegian Loan Fund is set to amend its regulations that previously jeopardized student aid for individuals receiving patient injury compensation. Since 2006, students who have received compensation for damage and illness faced the risk of losing their entitlement to study grants if their total income exceeded a certain threshold. This rule affected students like Sidsel Størmer and Henrik Borthen, both of whom were denied study grants due to the perception that their compensation made them 'too wealthy.'

Størmer and Borthen, who lost their sight as children due to medical mistakes, have been at the center of this issue, highlighting the critical need for more compassionate policies that recognize the unique circumstances of such students. The Loan Fund's acknowledgment of these discrepancies indicates a significant shift in understanding how state compensation should be treated, reflecting an evolving perspective on equity and support for those impacted by health system errors.

The forthcoming changes to the regulations promise to better align the Loan Fund’s practices with the original intent of providing equal opportunities for education to all students, irrespective of their background or financial circumstances. This move is a positive step toward ensuring that those already facing life-altering challenges are not further penalized in their quest for higher education.