The 14 organisations are regulated by the Student Welfare Organisation Act from 1996 and based on compulsory membership of all students attending the associated institutions.
Welfare offers are financed through a student fee, direct subsidies from the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research as well as from the educational institutions through free or cheap facilities or real estate.
All organisations are led by a board compromising a majority and chairman elected from and by the students as well as representatives from the employees and the educational institutions.
A voluntary contribution of up to NOK 40 to a student-based international aid organisation is collected alongside the fee.
The student welfare organisations must report to the Ministry as well as the Office of the Auditor General of Norway.