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Student financial aid

Student financial aid consists of the study grant, the housing supplement and the government guarantee for student loans. Since August 2025, students have applied for the housing supplement of student financial aid for their housing instead of general housing allowance.

Tukihaku asks only what is needed and fills in the Kela form for you. Application help costs 1.99 €, and the first calculation is free.

Fill in the application Find out which benefits you can get

Who can get student financial aid?

A full-time student in upper secondary school, in vocational education, at a university of applied sciences or at a university.
Your studies must progress: in higher education, at least 5 credits per financial aid month.
Your own income matters: exceeding the annual income limit leads to recovery of the aid.
A foreign national can get student financial aid if they have moved to Finland for a reason other than studying, for example because of family or work, and live here permanently. A person receiving temporary protection cannot get student financial aid.

How much student financial aid can you get in 2026?

The study grant is 279.38 € a month for a student aged 18 or over who lives independently. The provider supplement for students who are guardians of a child is 141.63 €. The housing supplement is 80 % of the rent, up to 296 € a month in Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa, 248 € in the other largest cities and 216 € elsewhere. The government guarantee for student loans is 850 € a month for a student aged 18 or over and 400 € for a student under 18. The aid is smaller for students under 18 and for students living with their parents, and the parents' income can affect it.

Calculate your student financial aid with the calculator

How do you apply for student financial aid?

Apply in OmaKela or with form OT 1.
Your educational institution confirms your studies electronically, so a certificate of student status is usually not needed.
Once you have the loan guarantee, you apply for the loan at a bank.

When should you apply?

Apply before your studies start or right after they have started. You cannot get the aid retroactively for any time before the month in which you apply.

What attachments are needed?

A letter of acceptance only if you study, for example, at a folk high school or in education that does not lead to a qualification
A statement of foreign income, if you have any

Frequently asked questions

How much can I earn while receiving student financial aid?

The annual income limit depends on the number of financial aid months. In 2026 the limit is 1,118 € for each financial aid month and 3,355 € for each month without financial aid, so with nine financial aid months it is 20,127 € a year. Check your own limit in OmaKela.

Is it worth taking out a student loan?

A student loan is a low-cost loan, and if you graduate within the set time, you can get student loan compensation, with which Kela pays part of the loan. However, the loan must be paid back.