Norway
The Studentsamskipnader are the Student Welfare Organisations in Norway. All universities and colleges that receive government grants are associated with a student welfare organisation. The role of the student welfare organisation is to look after students' welfare needs at their places of learning. The Studentsamskipnader provide services to all students in Norwegian higher education institutions. Students at these educational institutions automatically benefit from student services after paying their semester fee. The primary remit is to offer students products and services that aid effective learning and a stimulating student experience, promote high quality of studies, and facilitate conditions for student welfare. The Studentsamskipnaden aim to be an exceptional service provider for its users and to assist the associated educational institutions to maintain the country's most attractive learning environments.
All revenues go directly back to the students. The Studentsamskipnader do not aim for a financial surplus, but simply manage sound finances that allow them to manage the students' assets in the best possible way, for the students. The welfare services are financed in part through the semester fee, and also supported by direct government grant and support from the educational institutions in the shape of rent-free premises. The surplus from the commercial activities is transferred to the welfare departments.
The students are in the majority on the welfare organisation's highest authority, its board, which sets the semester fee and determines the services that the organisation should offer its students. The student representatives in the board are elected by the student democracy at the educational institutions. In addition, the board also includes representatives from the educational institutions and the employees of the student welfare organisation.
Full list of Studentsamskipnader in Norway:
http://www.sib.no/om-sib/kontakt-oss/andre-samskipnader
