This book is part of a series of in-depth studies on the functioning of government-sponsored student support schemes. It introduces the Swedish education system and its financial support schemes within the context of Swedish society as a whole. It provides a descriptive analysis of the different forms of financial support available to students, from upper secondary school to university to adult education. The issues discussed include the administration and costs of the system, as well as the possible effects of the support system on social equity. The question of the financing of lifelong learning is given particular attention.