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Student life can be wonderful and exciting, but for most, it’s also financially challenging. To keep track of your finances during your studies, it might be a good idea to create an effective student budget. Here, we provide you with simple and smart tips along the way!
How to create a student budget – 3 tips to get started
1. Review your income
Examine what income you will have during your studies. As a student, this may consist of student aid and income from, for example, part-time jobs.
In 2025, fortunately, the state student aid has increased. As a full-time student, you can receive 13,156 SEK from CSN:
- Loan: 9,408 SEK
- Grant: 4,092 SEK
Under certain conditions, you can also receive additional loans and grants.
Additional loan
You can apply for an additional loan if you have previously worked. It is a supplement to student aid, and you must meet certain criteria to apply.
Criteria for additional loan:
- You must be at least 25 years old during the year you apply for the additional loan.
- You have earned at least 244,020 SEK during the calendar year before you start studying.
- You have student aid for the same weeks you apply for the additional loan.
- You study in Sweden, Switzerland, or within the EU/EEA
Additional grant
The additional grant is for those with children. For example, you can receive 776 SEK per month if you have one child, study full-time, and receive student aid.
To receive the additional grant, you need to meet the following criteria:
- You have student aid for the same weeks you apply for the additional loan.
- You are the legal guardian of the child you are applying for the additional grant for
Remember to plan for any extra income! If you receive full student aid, you cannot earn more than 113,901 SEK per half-year, a so-called free amount. If you earn more than this, you may be required to repay.
2. Keep track of your fixed expenses
Keeping track of your fixed expenses as a student is crucial. There is often a lot of money to be saved each year by cutting down on recurring expenses, both small and large.
Perhaps there are some less necessary items you can do without or adjust?
Examples of fixed expenses:
- rent
- food
- exercise
- hygiene
- clothing
- phone
- transport
- entertainment
When it comes to rent, we recommend exploring student housing with a favorable monthly fee. Register as an applicant and find your student accommodation with us!
3. Create a budget plan for your student budget
It helps to have your monthly budget written down. Write down your income and monthly expenses in a document on your computer, phone, or in a notebook. Make sure your student budget is updated and adjusted as needed if your income or fixed expenses change.
In such a document, it becomes easy to weigh your expenses against your income. Naturally, you don’t want to be in the red here.
How to keep your expenses down – 6 useful tips!
1. Plan your meals for the week
Try to keep your food budget down as a student. Buying takeout or eating out at restaurants quickly drains your account. Instead, make a meal plan for the week and stick to it. Cook in bulk over the weekend, and you’ll have meals for several days. It’s not only cheaper to cook at home but also healthier!
2. Shop cheaply
Become a member of one of the grocery chains. As a student, you can get favorable and personalized offers. Some chains give you cashback in the form of bonus checks to shop with. Use coupons, compare different brands’ prices per kilo, and shop seasonally.
3. Avoid credits and installments
Avoid shopping with credit cards or long installments. Only buy with the money you actually have and can spare. If you can’t afford it – save up or skip the purchase!
Make sure to save up a buffer to have a margin for unexpected expenses, so you don’t have to take these on credit.
4. Compare and negotiate your contracts and subscriptions
Whether it’s mobile, electricity, or broadband, it usually pays off to compare different providers. For some services, there are convenient comparison sites. There can be a lot of money to save here! Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Competition is high, and companies want you as a customer, so try to negotiate the best deal possible.
5. Buy second-hand instead of new
Recycle more! Course literature, clothes, furniture – most things can be found second-hand. And much of what’s sold is often barely used. Keep an eye on buy-and-sell sites, Facebook groups, and second-hand stores. There are great opportunities to save money here!
6. Sell what you don’t need
Just as you can buy second-hand, there are many others who want to buy second-hand. Sell things you don’t use! Make it a habit to regularly clear out clothes and items you no longer need. Then sell them easily through sites like Tradera, Blocket, or various buy-and-sell groups on Facebook.
Selling things can provide a welcome boost to your wallet!
Managing your finances as a student requires discipline and planning. By following these tips, you can learn to create a student budget that works and make your money last each month.
