University and college students have already checked out their roommates and the annual migration to school soon begins. 
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Our U.S. students are normally divided into lower education, secondary Middle School and finally High School where, after graduation, their education requirements are complete. Much the
same is expected of Scandinavian students who are required to attend school from the age of 6 to age 16.
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However, Norwegian students who have completed their primary and secondary requirements have an option of continuing three more years of specialist studies free of charge.
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At the end of that time, the student is awarded a certification/ diploma in their chosen field of craft/apprenticeship/ vocational or trade. 
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Many of our US high
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school grads will be going on to advanced schools. One well-known and respected Scandinavian heritage College is St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Their current web-site states 2012-2013 estimate of student expenses to be:
Tuition..$39,560, Room and Board..$9,090, Books.. $1,000, Personal expenses.. $900.00
Total for the school year: $50,550.00.
Our school graduates face huge expenses to repay.
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Norway has thirty-eight institutions of higher learning divided into two sectors: the Unversity sector and the College sector.These are government-owned institutions serving students in popular fields of mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, clinical sciences, 
biotech and pharmacology as well as other fields of interest.There is NO tuition fee or very cheap fees. A semester fee may be required, totalling around NOK 300-600 ( $55-110 US). Room-board and transportation are student’s responsibilities. Their expenses are nominal.
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How can they do that?! Education is the top priority in Norway, as well as the other Scandinavian countries and they consider themselves “A Welfare State. A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the “state” plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens”. In Norway, for example, probably more than half the population has welfare benefits as their main source of income.This includes health care, disability payments, pensions and survivors benefits including the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.--------------------
The pension system in Norway consists of pensions from the national insurance scheme to which everyone is entitled. The “State” remains responsible for nearly all schools and 
hospitals, and there is a high degree of consensus among political parties and voters regarding the desirability of continuing an active and powerful welfare state.The country has a high rate of employement and generous welfare schemes, and is spending more money on welfare-related measures than ever before. In Sweden, Denmark and Norway, many people pay 50% of their income in taxes – with some even paying 60% – Many Scandinavians feel that the benefits of their system is far superior to that of the low-tax and low-welfare USA system.
In a July survey, Danes cited their country's welfare system, based on that of the Norwegians', as their society’s proudest achievement.
Another recent U.N. survey stated “ Norway is the best country in the world in which to live”.
I think I may send the girls to Norway for college...hard to pass up free! I have a good friend who is from England and she says that is how they do it as well. Done with school at 16. Seems strange.
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