Students

Students can get financial aid from Kela for post-comprehensive school education. This quick guide explains the types of financial aid that could be relevant for you.

See the quick guide for students

How corona affects student benefits
Update on the coronavirus situation

Secondary education

Extension of compulsory education
Extension of compulsory education affects school transport subsidy and financial aid for students.
Financial aid for students
You can get financial aid for full-time study after comprehensive school.
Student's age and parental income
See how your age and your parents’ income affect your study grant, student loan and housing benefit.
School transport subsidy
You can get school transport subsidy if you have a long commute to school.

Higher education

Student healthcare fee in higher education
Make sure to pay the healthcare fee to Kela for each academic term. Kela will not send you an invoice for the fee.
Financial aid for students
If you are enrolled in a course of study leading to an academic degree, you are considered to be a full-time student and you can get financial aid.
Making satisfactory academic progress
We review your academic progress yearly to check that you earn enough credits. But what is enough?
The effect of other income
Make sure that any other income you earn in addition to financial aid does not exceed your annual income limit.
Running out of eligibility months
The maximum number of months that you can get financial aid depends on the extent of your study programme. It's a good idea to plan in advance how and when you wish to take out financial aid.

After graduation

Student loan compensation
If you take out a student loan and complete an academic degree within the target time, Kela pays back part of your student loan.
Student loan tax deduction
If you started your course of higher education study before 1 August 2014, you can get a student loan tax deduction.
Interest assistance
Kela can pay the interest on your student loan if you have low income.