Funding your exchange studies

Lead paragraph

During their studies at Haaga-Helia, students going on a student exchange can apply for an exchange grant. The grant you are applying for depends on the exchange program. You can only get one exchange grant per exchange. You will find more information about different grants and application from this page.

  • Erasmus+ grants: exchanges in Europe and Georgia through the Erasmus+ program
  • Bilateral grants: exchanges outside Europe 
  • Nordplus grants: exchange in a Nordplus program in the Nordic and Baltic countries 
  • Free mover grants: Exchange to a non-Haaga-Helia partner 
  • Short exchange and summer course grants: Short courses and summer/winter schools 
  • Virtual exchange grants: All virtual exchanges to Haaga-Helia's partner universities with a tuition fee 

Study grants are only for physical mobilities, with the exception of tuition-based virtual exchanges.

The exchange grant application rounds are held twice a year (except for short-term, virtual and free mover mobility that have an ongoing application). In October-November, exchange grants are applied for the spring semester and in May for the autumn semester. 

Erasmus+ grant

An Erasmus+ exchange grant can be awarded for Haaga-Helia degree students who complete their student exchange in an EU country, ETA/EFTA country (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Turkey or Georgia. The duration must be at least 2 months (60 days)

Exchange grant to Switzerland is applied for from the host destination (more information grant@haaga-helia.fi

Other study grants

Grant conditions

A grant may be awarded if: 

  • You are a registered Haaga-Helia degree student 
  • Your student exchange lasts 2 months (60 days) 
  • You will complete 30 credits in exchange 
  • Courses must be accepted as part of the Haaga-Helia degree (Learning Agreement) 
  • You will return the required documents after the exchange (After Mobility Form, Student Exchange Travel Report) 

Applying for a grant

All students selected for the exchange will be notified of the official application round by email. We also announce application dates on these pages. For virtual, short, and free mover grants, there is an ongoing application.

  • Exchange grants are applied for twice a year. If you go for an exchange during the autumn semester, you will apply for an exchange grant in May, and if you go for an exchange during the spring semester, you will apply for an exchange grant in October-November. 
  • When applying for grants please use exact dates. The first day may be the day you are expected to be present at the exchange, e.g. at the orientation and/or language course (if provided by the host institution before the start of your studies). 
  • Use the same dates as in your Letter of Acceptance, if the letter of acceptance does not arrive before the deadline for grant applications, you can also use the dates marked on the host institution's academic calendar, which can usually be found on the host university's website. 
  • If you receive more specific dates for the time of your student exchange after submitting the grant application, please contact grant@haaga-helia.fi
  • Exchange grant is linked to the duration of your exchange: At the end of the exchange, the days will be checked from the Letter of Confirmation or from the Transcript of Records.

Instructions for applying for grants 

The application period for the Spring semester 2024 grants: 23.10. - 6.11.2023

  1. Application forms can be found on the MoveON portal during the application period 
  2. Choose the right application: 
    • Erasmus+ /Erasmus+ Global grants: Erasmus+ Student Exchange Grant Application 
    • Bilateral, TFK, or Nordplus grants: Haaga-Helia Exchange Grant Application 
    • Free mover grant: Outgoing Freemover Grant application 
  3. Follow the instructions and fill in your information carefully 
  4. Press the submit button to submit your application. Unsent forms will not be processed! 

Double Degree students: Apply for an Erasmus+ grant for 2023-2024.

 If you need a certificate of your exchange grant, for example for a visa application, you can request a certificate by e-mail grant@haaga-helia.fi after sending the grant application. 

Taxation of grants 

All grants over 1 000 euros are reported to the Finnish tax authorities. Exchange study grants are tax-free for most students, but if a student receives other study grants each year (for about 20 000 euros), the student may have to pay taxes on their study grants. You can check more detailed information on Vero.fi or ask for a grant@haaga-helia.fi

 As exchange grants are not taxable income, KELA does not take them into account in the income control of study aids.