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Student financial aid

Student financial aid

Student financial aid committee

The Kela Centre for Student Financial Aid decides on the student financial aid of students in universities of applied sciences. In addition, all universities of applied sciences have their own student financial aid committee, which provide Kela with statements concerning the progress of studies. Half of HAAGA-HELIA’s student financial aid committee comprises staff and the other half students.

Sufficient progress in studies

Eligibility for student financial aid requires that one is a full-student and that one's study progress is sufficient. Study progress is reviewed on an annual basis.

According to legislation on the matter, students in universities of applied sciences can continue to receive study grants given that they complete an average of 5 credits for each month that a study grant is received. On part of students who receive study grants for HAAGA-HELIA studies, study progress is assessed on the basis of credits completed within the framework of the degree programme. In other words, transfer of credit for prior studies is not taken into account when determining study progress.

Duration of student financial aid

The Ministry of Education has decreed that a degree covering 210 ECTS should normally be completed in 3.5 years, and a degree of 240 ECTS in 4 years. Student financial aid (study grant, housing supplement and government-backed student loan) can be granted for this normal study period with just one application. Information about government-backed student loans is also given in the student financial aid decision. Your bank will verify this information with Kela.

Student financial aid can be granted starting on the month that the application is received at the earliest.

Maximum duration

The maximum number of months that a student can be eligible for student financial aid is 42 months of aid on part of business, hotel and restaurant management and physical education programmes. The maximum duration for media programmes is 46 months of aid. Student financial aid received for prior university studies is taken into account in this maximum period. More information about one’s personal status is provided by Kela.

Summer studies

The standard annual student financial aid period at HAAGA-HELIA is 9 months, from September to May. Applications (OTm) for student financial aid for summer studies (1 June – 31 August) need to include a statement from the student financial aid committee, and for this reason such applications are submitted to the student financial aid committee's secretary. Such an application should also include one’s summer study plan, inclusive of required confirmations. Sufficient study progress for summer months likewise requires 5 credits for each month of studies for which the student wishes to receive student financial aid.

Changes in circumstances and workplacement

Student financial aid decisions are reviewed whenever this is deemed necessary. Students are obligated, without delay, to inform Kela of any changes of circumstance that might affect their student financial aid. The OTm form is used for changes in circumstances, for example to notify of a change of address or marital status, or when applying for financial aid for summer studies or studies abroad. Suspension, cancellation or return of student financial aid can also be done via Kela's website.

Student financial aid and income limits

Decisions on student financial aid take into account an annual income limit. The limit is computed on the basis of the number of months that a student has received student financial aid. Students themselves are responsible for ensuring that the limit is not exceeded. Student income is monitored at a later date once tax information is made available. For example, if a student has received student financial aid for a period of 9 months, the annual income limit is 11,850 euros. Students can manage their income limit by cancelling the receipt of student financial aid for given months in advance, or by returning student financial aid paid before the March of the following year. More information on income limits and student financial aid is provided by Kela brochures and website. 

Applying for student financial aid and contact info

Student financial aid forms (OT2 form) are provided by the study office, Kela and can also be downloaded from Kela’s website. The application can be submitted to the study office or directly to Kela. Student financial aid decisions for HAAGA-HELIA students are made by the Kela Centre for Student Financial Aid in Jyväskylä, and in a few local Kela offices. You can submit your student financial aid application also via Kela’s online service.

Kela Centre for Student Financial Aid contact info

Student financial aid committee bulletins and general info about student financial aid is available on Student’s Extranet. More information about student financial aid can be obtained from Kela offices or student financial aid committee secretaries: 

You can obtain up-to-date information on your application, decision or payment details via Kela’s website. You can, for example, electronically return, cancel and suspend your student financial aid, as well as pay back any excess student financial aid you have received. Kela’s website is also equipped with a student financial aid calculator, with which you can determine how much student financial aid you are eligible for.  These tools allow you to determine how much income you can have in addition to student financial aid, for how many months you can take student financial aid during the year, as well as how to return excess financial aid paid. You can log in to the service with your bank’s username and password.

Meal subsidies

Students in institutes of higher education are entitled to a meal subsidy in student restaurants that subscribe to the benefit. The subsidies are paid to the restaurant operator, and amount to 1.77 euros per meal. The operator deducts this amount from the price you pay.

You will be charged the subsidy price if you show your student card or Kela's meal subsidy card to the cashier. Students who do not have a student card need to apply for a separate meal discount card from their school.  Meal discount cards and student cards offer a discount also in student restaurants in schools other than HAAGA-HELIA (HAAGA-HELIA student restaurants:  Student's extranet > Studies > Student meals).

Adult student financial aid

Adult student financial aid is applied for from Finland’s Education Fund. Kela provides government-backing for adult student loans. Finland’s Education Fund is managed by Finland’s employer and employee unions, and has the task of promoting skills required in working life by supporting vocational education and development.

Adult student financial aid can be granted to adults who participate in vocational education on their own initiative, who have a steady job or their own business, and who

  • have been working for the same employer or have run their own business for a least one year prior to the start of studies
  • have a job history of at least five years 
  • take a leave of absence from their wok for at least two months and do not receive other support for their studies.

Financial aid is granted for studies leading to a degree as well as for continuing vocational education in learning institutes under the governance of public sector authorities. The duration of adult student financial aid is calculated on the basis of the applicant's job record. One full working month increases the maximum possible adult student aid period by 0.8 days. One month is considered to contain 21.5 days. Hence, for example, a 15 year job history translates into 144 days of adult student financial aid.

One can count one’s job history on the basis of one's job certificates or one's employment record, which can be obtained from the Finnish Centre for Pensions. Working or running a business outside of Finland is not included in the calculation of one's job history.

 

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