C urrently, the government financial aid in Norway, Lånekassen, does not provide for the first year of an undergraduate degree in the U.S., except for a selected few.

Students have had to pay the first year out of their own, or probably their parents', pocket.

Minister of Education, Kristin Halvorsen, has now promised that this will change in 2014.

The student organisation, ANSA, has fought for this cause for the past 27 years, ever since the aid for the first year in the U.S. was removed back in the 1980s.

ANSA-president, Henriette N. Thommessen, says this is a great boost for students abroad and a great day for ANSA.

We have tried to make the politicians realize that Norway should prioritise the acquisition of knowledge and expertise from the greater academic institutions of the U.S. When financial aid is introduced, any future students will have equal opportunities to study in the United States, regardless of social background, Thommessen explains in a public statement.

There are still six months before the state budget is presented and approved, and ANSA therefore asks all parties to remain focused upon this issue.

All parties in Parliament have given ANSA support on this issue and we invite all parties to join ANSA in this important cause for future international students. Yes, we candy! Thommessen states with a smile.

#YesWeCandy! is a global campaign ANSA has conducted the past week, where Norwegian students abroad, and others involved have contributed with photographs and support to this issue. #Yeswecandy, or yes we can.

Check out ansa.no/yeswecandy, #yeswecandy on Twitter and Instagram and ANSA's Facebook page.