Sweden Parental Financial Incentives and Student Aid

Swedish Kronar/SEK

Sweden provides generous grants to parents of children under 16, to upper secondary student from 16-19, and to students in the higher education system.

Parental benefits can begin during pregnancy, up to 60 days before the estimated due date! The child allowance is universal, in that there are no qualifying factors (such as income) to receive benefits besides having a child. Each child's parents receives SEK 1250 (about $130 USD) per month, with an additional "large family supplement" for more than 1 child that increases slightly for each additional child. Families even have access to housing grants, according to their income!

After the child reaches the legal age of 18, and is attending full time high school (upper secondary school) or an adult secondary education program, these benefit payments are then transferred from the parents to the student. The student can receive these benefits until age 20 but are not entitled to them if not attending school. They can also apply for supplementary and/or boarding allowances depending on their needs and studies.

Not only are Sweden's higher education programs paid for by tax payers, but upon entrance to a university or vocational college Swedish citizens have access to grants and loans to help them with cost of living expenses beyond the free tuition.

Despite Sweden's high income tax rates, Swedes in general are not troubled by this, and in fact the majority of Swedes have confidence in how their government spends the tax revenue. Sweden's Tax Agency is not despised by Swedes for collecting roughly one third of the average person's paycheck, and in fact, according to the official Sweden website, the agency is "really popular, with poll after poll showing that it is trusted and respected" (Swedes and Taxes, 2019). Swedes apparently feel they are well represented by the countries spending policies.

Stockholm

Child allowance. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.forsakringskassan.se/privatpers/foralder/nar_barnet_ar_fott/barnbidrag/!ut/p/z0/fYzLDoIwEAC_puctqNwJKD4OxpAo9tIUKaRKtmW7IX6-6Ad4m0kmAwoaUGhmNxh2Hs24-F1ler0vi6Qq5Om8qUuZZ4dLcq236S5dQW0RjqD-R8vFPadJ5aAeHtm-GZofIEerycbgMbrZChnIzYaDpShk78mMnSUh0ZBuDaFlvVDvmYX8eus6MgOEV3X7AGdh2ls!/

Swedes and taxes. (2019, April 09). Retrieved from https://sweden.se/society/why-swedes-are-okay-with-paying-taxes/